The formatting of Oracle-branded HGST SSDs (2021)

The article discusses the challenges faced when using Oracle-branded HGST SSDs with Linux, particularly in the context of ZFS file systems. The author recounts their experience of migrating from Oracle's ZFS to OpenZFS due to issues with file system bugs and a lack of support for non-paying customers. They encountered significant errors while formatting the SSDs on Ubuntu, which were attributed to a "type 1 protection" feature that added extra bytes of error correction information. This feature caused compatibility issues with certain tools, leading to read and write failures. The author found a solution by disabling this protection using specific commands, allowing for successful formatting and integration into a ZFS pool. They also noted performance improvements with their new setup, highlighting the advantages of OpenZFS over Oracle's offerings, particularly in terms of encryption, compression, and overall functionality. The article serves as a technical exploration of the intricacies involved in managing enterprise storage solutions and the benefits of open-source alternatives.

- The author migrated from Oracle's ZFS to OpenZFS due to support issues and file system bugs.

- Compatibility problems arose from the SSDs' "type 1 protection" feature, causing read/write errors on Linux.

- A solution was found by disabling the protection, enabling successful formatting and integration into ZFS.

- OpenZFS offers advantages over Oracle's ZFS, including better encryption and compression options.

- The new setup demonstrated significant performance improvements in data management tasks.