Huawei Launches AI SSDs to Power Next-Gen Data Centers

 

Huawei has unveiled three new AI-specific solid-state drives (SSDs)—the OceanDisk EX 560, SP 560, and LC 560—at an event in Shanghai, targeting data storage bottlenecks in AI computing.

These “AI SSDs” are designed to overcome slow inference speeds and limited data capacity in data centers, which are increasingly critical for handling large-scale AI workloads. The OceanDisk EX 560 and SP 560 are slated for commercial rollout by year-end and are already in use by clients across internet, healthcare, and finance sectors. The OceanDisk LC 560 offers an impressive 245 terabytes of storage, with Huawei claiming a 6.6x improvement in AI data processing efficiency while cutting space usage by 85.2 percent.

Key Highlights

• Huawei launches three AI SSDs, including LC 560 with 245TB
• New storage improves AI data efficiency 6.6x and cuts space by 85 percent
• U.S. export curbs push Huawei toward in-house AI tech innovation

This leap underscores the dramatic evolution of storage technology: when SSDs first appeared in 1976, they cost $9,700 for just 2MB of storage (equivalent to $36,000 today). Huawei’s LC 560 now offers nearly 12 million times more capacity at a fraction of the relative cost, making specialized AI storage economically feasible.

The launch also reflects China’s response to U.S. export controls that restrict access to advanced Western technologies. Huawei is not only developing AI-focused SSDs but also working on AI memory solutions to replace high-bandwidth memory (HBM). The company has restructured its cloud unit to prioritize AI-related business, signaling a strategic pivot toward comprehensive in-house innovation.

Also Read: Huawei Restructures Cloud Unit to Focus on AI Profitability

These moves illustrate how restrictions may be accelerating domestic breakthroughs, with companies like DeepSeek also showcasing innovations by optimizing restricted Nvidia H800 chips for AI training.