At MongoDB, we're constantly searching for ways to ensure that the database is as efficient as possible. This means exploring all sorts of new technologies to stay on the forefront of the cutting edge. Dr. Sasha Fedorova works as a consultant in MongoDB Labs, focusing on and exploring ways that the database, specifically the storage engine can leverage new storage and memory technologies. On today's show, Michael spends time chatting in depth about Dr. Fedorova's research into these areas and they cover discussions on RAM, DIM, and Intel's Optane Memory technology which offers vastly lower latencies than conventional SSDs.

Highlights of the conversation include:

• Dr. Sasha Fedorova introduces herself and her work
• How Sasha became interested in systems
• Non-volatile memory and reducing latency
• Adopting non-volatile memory, and changes that need to occur to take advantage of the technology
• The application of non-volatile memory, and new solutions it can offer
• Larger scale adoption and effects with MongoDB
• Solving throughput, and technical aspects of building cache on RAM
• What's next on the roadmap
• What Sasha does outside of working on systems