Samsung unveils open source software for CXL Memory platform

published 7 October 2021

Samsung has unveiled its first open source software solution: scalable memory development kit (SMDK).

Earlier this year, the firm introduced compute express link (CXL) memory expander, which allowed memory capacity and bandwidth to reach levels far exceeding today's servers, an industry-first.

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Samsung’s new solution facilitates the CXL memory platform with easy-to-integrate software tools. According to the company, SMDK will greatly increase CXL memory’s accessibility for data center system developers in emerging artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and 5G markets.

The extensive software kit includes libraries, reusable codes, application programming interfaces (APIs), and more.

"In order for data center and enterprise systems to smoothly run next-generation memory solutions like CXL, development of corresponding software is a necessity," said Cheolmin Park, vice president of memory product planning at Samsung Electronics.

Park added, "Today, Samsung is reinforcing its commitment toward delivering a total memory solution that encompasses hardware and software, so that IT OEMs can incorporate new technologies into their systems much more effectively."

Samsung’s SMDK allows the main memory and the CXL expander to operate seamlessly in heterogeneous memory systems. CXL memory can easily be integrated into advanced IT systems with the SMDK, eliminating the need to modify or optimize application software settings.

Additionally, SMDK’s memory virtualization feature enables system designers to manage memory pools in shared memory architectures dynamically. Thanks to a proprietary intelligent tiering engine, the SMDK can identify and configure memory types, capacities, and bandwidths most appropriate for each use case.

Samsung's SMDK is currently only available for limited testing and optimization. Samsung expects to open source the tool by the first half of next year.