Before making a move to an SSD-based SQL Server data stores, CTOs need to decide:
How great a risk SSD failure poses to SQL Server recovery operations.
Which technology provides the best balance of performance and reliability (SSD vs. HDD).
How to monitor the SSD drives on which logs are stored to assess health.
How to recover data from a failed SSD in the event of a disaster or drive failure.
It is also important to remember that the strongest feature of SSDs – a lack of moving parts – is also one of the greatest weaknesses. SQL data recovery from a failed SSD drive is an expert job, usually requiring professional assistance. Where platters could be removed and cloned from a traditional spinning disk in a cleanroom environment, SSD memory chips are typically harder to recover.
Data recovery from SSD memory cells is possible, but it remains a complicated procedure. And because any SQL Server deployment needs to include data recovery provisions as part of its plan, CTOs and systems architects need to consider and mitigate the impact SSD outages can have on availability.