PassMark hardware ECC error injector - update?

[fatpigeon]

Technically not specific to MemTest86, but it's about memory testing, so this seemed the most relevant place.

Earlier this year, PassMark posted on Twitter about a prototype hardware error injector for testing ECC: https://twitter.com/passmarkinc/stat...51057018675202

Any update on this you can share? I'd be interested in getting one.

[David (PassMark)]

The global silicon chip shortage is causing a lot of production problems.

We have only been able to source 5 units of the key microcontroller chip globally. Yes, just 5 chips, and the price was $61 each for the chip instead of the usual $2.

Obviously we can't launch a product when we only have so few units.

We are hoping the situation gets better by the end of the year. Unfornately by then the world will have started moving to DDR5 RAM.

[fatpigeon]

Thanks for the update; hopefully the shortage will get better soon. DDR4 will be around for a while, so I still think it will be useful. Good luck!

[kwinz]

Two years have passed since the last update. Any news?

[David (PassMark)]

Bulk production was done and the ECC tester product has been on the market for some time now.

Photo of the finished product

[kwinz]

Bulk production was done and the ECC tester product has been on the market for some time now.

Thank you for that! Are you also working on a DDR5 version, or is that not a priority?

[David (PassMark)]

Eventually we'll likely do a DDR5 version.
But we are working on other hardware projects for the moment.
So no date at the moment.

[kwinz]

Hi David!

Any updates on the DDR5 version?

[David (PassMark)]

No change.
For the moment we are working on PCIe 4.0, USB4 and 200Watt+ USB power delivery testing.

[kwinz]

Another 2 years later: "Eventually we'll likely do a DDR5 version."
Is that still true or have you given up on the project?

I see that there is renewed interest for hardware in this area over the last year to reverse engineer the how data is placed physically because of romhammer style vulnerabilities: https://github.com/refault-artifacts...ion-interposer

Appreciate the update!

[David (PassMark)]

Haven't been idle

New hardware stuff
USB-C 20Gbit/s loopback plug
PCIe Gen4 Test cards
USB Power delivery tester 240W

But we don't sell many units of the ECC tester. it is very niche. So not our highest priority. We don't have a date to offer for a DDR5 ECC tester at the moment.
However if someone was prepared to fund the development effort, or place an pre-order for large number of units, that would definitely bump up the priority.