In modern data centers, logging is crucial for performance, security, and troubleshooting. While machine interpretable logs allow process automation, human-readable logs enable faster decision-making and debugging. Ensuring the security of customer data is also a critical focus for cloud providers; with human-readable logs, administrators review only drive information that helps with debugging, and sensitive customer information remains protected. This blog highlights KIOXIA’s efforts to support human-readable logs in data center-class SSDs.
Why Human-Readable Logs Matter
- Enhanced Security
Security teams use logs to identify threats and unauthorized access. Human-readable logs help trace events faster, improving response time to potential security breaches.
- Reduced Dependency on Vendor-Specific Tools
Specialized log analysis tools can cause delays. Utilizing industry standard NVMeTM-CLI commands enables direct communication with SSDs to perform tasks such as health monitoring and diagnostics without relying on vendor -specific tools.
- Better Device Endurance Monitoring
Drive health information logs retrieved by Open Compute Project (OCP) specific NVMe telemetry and logging commands help data centers track SSD performance at scale, ensuring optimal device longevity and timely redeployment.
KIOXIA E1.S Data Center NVMe SSDs Support Comprehensive Logging Mechanisms
The OCP Datacenter NVMe SSD specification continues to enhance human readable logging by standardizing log structures, introducing clear log identifiers and enabling easily interpretable telemetry, error recovery, and performance data for improved troubleshooting and data center efficiency.
KIOXIA XD8 Series SSDs support OCP Datacenter NVMe SSD specification v2.5 Log Identifiers for Enhanced Drive Monitoring, which incorporate several logging features to improve data center operations:
KIOXIA XD8 Series Data Center NVMe SSDs are Optimized for Hyperscale, Open Compute Platform Applications; Available in EDSFF E1.S Form Factor. https://americas.kioxia.com/en-us/business/ssd/data-center-ssd/xd8.html
- SMART/Health Information Extended: Standardizes telemetry collection and failure trend information, enabling SSDs to report health metrics, performance trends, and errors.
- Error Recovery Log: Logs error events and recovery actions, providing host operations required to recover failed SSDs. This supports failure analysis and proactive troubleshooting.
- Latency Monitoring Log: Tracks SSD response time, recording latency statistics to detect bottlenecks to maintain QoS. Data centers can optimize performance and prevent issues by analyzing these trends.
- Telemetry String Log: Stores easy-to-read diagnostic data, including logs, error codes, and performance data. This helps onsite operators quickly understand drive condition.
KIOXIA is also collaborating with leading hyperscale data centers to develop secure and efficient tools for downloading drive logs. These tools eliminate end-user sensitive data during transmission, while ensuring efficient retrieval of critical error information.
Conclusion
While automated analysis is crucial in data centers, human-readable logs remain essential. They provide engineers with the clarity needed for quick problem resolution, foster collaboration, secure customers’ private data, and optimize data center operations. By adopting clear and structured logging practices, such as OCP standards, organizations can significantly improve observability and maintain a resilient, efficient infrastructure.
Notes
Comparisons are made to machine interpretable logs.
NVMe is a registered or unregistered trademark of NVM Express, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
Not all requirements of the OCP Datacenter NVMe SSD v2.5 Specification are supported. Contact your Kioxia sales representative for more information.
The OCP and OPEN COMPUTE PROJECT marks are owned by and used with the permission of the Open Compute Project Foundation.
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