Paul,

> Flash-based SSD's are not a solution, as random write speeds tend to
> be as low as conventional disks, if not worse.

That is not really the case for enterprise class SSD's.

As it happens, last week Tom's Hardware posted an article/comparison of
SSDs:

Will SSDs Take Over The Enterprise?
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/enterprise-flash-ssd,1971-17.html


While the article does point out that there are still areas where SSDs
have improvements to make, SSDs are ideal for some high-volumes
situations.


Sean