Fusion-io Unveils VSL-Powered Atomic Writes for MySQL Acceleration

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- [Oracle OpenWorld] -- Fusion-io, Inc., (NYSE: FIO) pioneer of shared data decentralization, today announced a new extension to its VSL software subsystem for conducting Atomic Writes in the popular MySQL open source database. Referring to an operation in which a processor can simultaneously write multiple independent storage sectors as a single storage transaction, the Atomic Writes extension helps accelerate the popular MySQL enterprise database and enables new features powered by the flexibility of sophisticated flash architectures.

"Some vendors approach flash like just another disk, but this shortsighted approach leaves great potential unaddressed," said Nisha Talagala, Fusion-io Lead Architect. "With a software-centric approach, intelligent memory architectures can leverage the potential of flash to develop new features that accelerate databases and applications in ways previously not possible. By reducing the number of steps required to safely write data, the Atomic Writes software extension enables a substantial improvement in predictable performance and reduces the impact of database processing on the host CPU."

Atomic Writes allow flash-based memory to significantly outperform architectures that require applications to conduct additional operations to safeguard data during failures. Since Atomic Writes eliminate the need to utilize the double write buffer, performance speeds are drastically increased by not having to write data twice. This also reduces complexity and increases scalability as less complex code paths are used within the database. As the number of writes is cut in half by Atomic Writes, the software extension can also double hardware endurance. In addition, Atomic Writes ensure that operations are completed in their entirety, reducing the likelihood of data corruption and thereby increasing reliability.

The Atomic Writes extension connects Fusion's powerful VSL software architecture to MySQL to uniquely provide these enhanced features. The extension for MySQL is the first example of directly optimizing an application through the flexibility of VSL. With the new Atomic Writes extension, Fusion-io testing has observed 35 percent more transactions per second and a 2.5x improvement in performance predictability compared to conducting the same MySQL tests without the Atomic Writes feature.

To activate the Atomic Writes feature, database architects apply the extension to the InnoDB transactional storage engine for MySQL, which then creates a new InnoDB source image. The Atomic Writes extension selects operations that require Atomic Writes and then executes the operations accordingly. The Atomic Writes extension will be available to select customers for testing in Q4 2011. Fusion-io will collaborate with the MySQL community to assist with making the new Atomic Writes features accessible for widespread use as quickly as possible.

Visit Fusion-io booth #421 at Oracle OpenWorld in San Francisco October 3 - 6, 2011 for more information and demonstrations of the new Atomic Writes extension.

To learn more about Fusion-io, go to http://www.fusionio.com. Follow Fusion-io on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/fusionio and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fusionio.

About Fusion-io

Fusion-io has pioneered a next generation storage memory platform for shared data decentralization that significantly improves the processing capabilities within a datacenter by relocating process-critical, or "active", data from centralized storage to the server where it is being processed, a methodology referred to as data decentralization. Fusion's integrated hardware and software solutions leverage non-volatile memory to significantly increase datacenter efficiency and offers enterprise grade performance, reliability, availability and manageability. Fusion's data decentralization platform can transform legacy architectures into next generation datacenters and allows enterprises to consolidate or significantly reduce complex and expensive high performance storage, high performance networking and memory-rich servers. Fusion's platform enables enterprises to increase the utilization, performance and efficiency of their datacenter resources and extract greater value from their information assets.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, including, but are not limited to, statements concerning our VSL software and our Atomic Writes extension for the MySQL open source database, including the expected capabilities and benefits of our VSL software and the Atomic Writes extension.  These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions regarding future events and business performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained, anticipated, or implied in any forward-looking statement, including, but not limited to, the risk that the users of our VSL software and the Atomic Writes extension may not realize the expected benefits, and such other risks set forth in the registration statements and reports that Fusion-io files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.fusionio.com.  You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur.  Fusion-io undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason after the date of this press release.

SOURCE Fusion-io, Inc.