Arm Cortex-R processor targets computational storage

04 September 2020

Computational storage is emerging as a critical part of the ‘data storage puzzle’ because it puts processing power directly on the storage device, giving companies a more secure, quicker and easier access to vital information.

In response, Arm has announced the Cortex-R82, its first 64-bit, Linux-capable Cortex-R processor that’s been designed to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation enterprise and computational storage solutions.

The Cortex-R82 provides up to 2x performance uplift, depending on the workload, compared to previous Cortex-R generations. This will allow storage applications to run new workloads like machine learning at a lower latency, with optional Arm Neon technology to provide additional acceleration. The Cortex-R82 is 64-bit, providing access to up to 1TB of DRAM for advanced data processing in storage applications.

Storage controllers traditionally run bare-metal/RTOS workloads to store and access data, however, with the Cortex-R82 Arm has introduced an optional memory management unit (MMU) to allow for rich operating systems to run directly on the storage controller.

According to Arm, processing data where it is stored will open up huge opportunities across applications including IoT, ML and edge computing.

“As the storage market evolves, one of the biggest requirements is the need for flexibility and the new features of the Cortex-R82 processor will provide its partners with the possibility to design multi-core implementations of up to 8 cores, as well as the ability to adjust the types of workload running on the storage controller based on external demands in software,” said Neil Werdmuller, director of storage solutions at Arm.

In a move intended to reduce the complexity and costs for its partners, the Cortex-R82 is able to leverage Arm’s Linux and server ecosystems. With the ability to run Linux developers will be able to access a broader set of software tools and technologies, such as Docker and Kubernetes, to use for their storage applications, providing an accelerated method of implementation.

The Cortex-R82 also takes advantage of Arm’s security foundations and is compatible with Arm TrustZone, ensuring isolation of the storage controller firmware from other Linux or real-time workloads.

Author
Neil Tyler