SK hynix has announced on the 23rd that it has integrated its self-developed memory control solution ‘HMSDK’, which optimizes the operation of the next-generation memory technology ‘Compute Express Link’ (CXL), into the world’s largest open-source operating system Linux.
CXL is a next-generation interface that efficiently connects central processing units (CPUs), graphic processing units (GPUs), and memory in high-performance computing systems to support large capacities and high-speed operations. Applying CXL to existing memory modules can expand capacity by more than 10 times.
HMSDK is SK hynix’s proprietary heterogeneous memory software development tool. It allocates memory differentially based on the bandwidth between existing memory and expanded CXL memory, expanding the memory package bandwidth by over 30% without adjusting existing applications.
Moreover, it has been confirmed that the performance is improved by more than 12% compared to existing systems through the ‘access frequency-based optimization’ function, which moves frequently used data to faster memory.
SK hynix emphasized that by internationally recognizing the performance of its self-developed CXL optimization software HMSDK and applying it to Linux, it has gained recognition not only for high-performance hardware memory such as High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) but also for software competitiveness.
In the future, as developers worldwide working on Linux start using CXL memory, SK hynix expects to gain a favorable position in pursuing global cooperation for next-generation memory technologies. Linux, being the world’s largest open-source operating system, forms the basis for most operating systems for cloud systems, supercomputers, smartphones, automobiles, and home appliances.
The semiconductor industry anticipates that with the release of the first server-grade CPU implementing the ‘CXL 2.0’ standard in the second half of this year, CXL is ready to enter the commercialization stage. In line with this, SK hynix is currently undergoing customer certification for CXL 2.0 memories with capacities of 96GB and 128GB, planning to start mass production by the end of the year.
SK hynix’s Executive Vice President, Joo Young-pyo, stated, “For the advancement and proliferation of AI technologies like Large Language Models (LLMs), significant improvements are required not only in semiconductors but also in system applications to support them.” He also mentioned that through the collaboration with Linux integration, they will strive to enhance technological innovation and expand the ecosystem to elevate their position as a ‘Total AI Memory Solution Company’.