crayg33k

A more actively-developed framework is LightNVM for Open-Channel SSDs. The kernel bits have been upstreamed into mainline kernel as well: http://lightnvm.io/

I met the project architects at a conference earlier this year, and they are on the right track IMO. If only more vendors would support the notion of open-channel SSDs which allow for custom FTLs from outside the device.

Also, per the LightNVM supported hardware list:

"Other platform such as OpenSSD Jasmine and OpenSSD Cosmos are able to support LightNVM. However, there are no compatible firmwares yet."

This is why end-to-end data integrity with something like T10-PI is a necessity. The kernel block-layer already generates and validates the integrity for us, if the underlying drive supports it, but all major filesystems really need to start supporting it as well.

The comments in this discussion that talk about how foreign nationals look at a PhD as a short-cut to getting permanent residency infuriates me.

I have a CS PhD from a reputable mid-west school. I am also not a US citizen. When a person is considering investing 5-7 years of his/her life into a PhD program, I am quite certain the US immigration policy is not a motivating factor by any measure. You can apply for permanent residency under the EB-2 quota even with a Masters. The EB-1 quota is for "outstanding researchers" with truly exceptional skills, and who have made significant impact in their field of research. All the non-American PhD students I have met in my life (and I have met a LOT of them) have a real drive to innovate and be someone in their field of research. Sure, higher salaries (if they decide to enter the industry, as opposed to academia) are a strong motivation to some of them, but I doubt if permanent residency is.

As a current employee at Cray, this makes me happy.