1. A computer-implemented memory management system, comprising: a data storage subsystem of a host system for storing data, the subsystem reporting operational capabilities of a subsystem operating mode for handling the data to the host system; and a hints component that employs a hints protocol for communicating operational hints to the subsystem from the host system, to facilitate a formal communications pipe for the data between a software layer of the host system to the subsystem based on the operating mode, to improve data operations between the host system and the subsystem.