Rocket 1528D

Datasheet

PCIe Gen4 x16 to 4x SlimSAS NVMe Switch Adapter

Key Features:

4x SlimSAS (SFF-8654) Ports (dedicated x8 lanes per port)

No. of Devices: Up to 8 Direct, Up to 32 via backplane

Bus Interface: PCIe 4.0 x16

Switch AIC: Robust, Plug & Play NVMe Storage Expansion solution

Natively supported by Mainstream Operating systems

Supports x86 Intel/AMD & ARM Platforms

Enterprise & Datacenter Class: U.2, U.3 & E1.S NVMe SSDs

Gen4 and 2nd Gen4 Switch Adapters

Model	Rocket 1580	Rocket 1528D
Switching Architecture	Gen4	2nd Gen4
PCIe Host	4.0 x16	4.0 x16
Connectors	4x SFF-8654	4x SFF-8654 (SlimSAS)
Drive Form factor	U.2/U.3	U.2/U.3, E3.S, E1.S, EDSFF
Drive Features	N/A	Hot-Swap, Opal SED, 2x2 Mode
Bandwidth (MB/s)	28,000	28,000
IOPS (Million)	6	6
Board FF/Dimension	LP	LP MD2
	165.1mm x 68.8mm	155mm x 68.9mm
Cooling Solution	H/S w/ Single Fan	FL Passive H/S W/ Copper Piping
Backplane	Direct Cabling	UBM/VPP
Security & FRU	n/a	Hardware Secure Boot, FRU include VPD
Downstream Lane Options	n/a	x16, x8, x4, x2, x1
FW Customization	n/a	SMBus, I2C, MCTP over PCIe, etc.
NVMe Control Suite	n/a	MPT Utility

Rocket 1528D Specifications

Product Model	Rocket 1528D (R1528D)
Hardware Features
Bus Interface	PCIe 4.0 x16
Number of Channel / Port	8x Device Channels / 4x SlimSAS Ports (Dedicated PCIe 4.0 x8 per port)
Connector Type	SlimSAS (SFF8654 8x）
Connector Pinout Definition	SFF-9402 Compliant
Number of devices	8
Data Port Reconfiguration (Downstream Configuration: 1x16 /2x8 /4x4 /8x2 /16x1 )	Yes
SSD Form Factor	U.2, U.3
Downstream port containment	Yes
Read tracking	Yes
Synthetic Hierarchy	Yes

Robust, High-Density PCIe Gen4 NVMe Storage Expansion Solution for Server & Datacenter Applications

The Rocket 1528D PCIe Gen4 x16 NVMe Adapter is a direct replacement for the Rocket 1580. Like the Rocket 1580, The Rocket 1528D can directly host up to eight U.2 or U.3 NVMe SSDs via four SFF-8654 ports. However, the new model benefits from a wide range of new feature and capabilities.

While similar in size, the Rocket 1528D complies with the LP-MD2 form factor and is an FRU device (field, making it an ideal solution for industry standard servers and compact rackmount platforms. In addition, Rocket 1528D adapters are powered by our 2nd-Generation PCIe Gen4 Switching architecture, and can be tailored to support a wide range of storage and PCIe expansion configurations via customizable firmware updates; from supporting up to 32 NVMe drives via storage backplane connectivity to hosting 8 individual PCIe devices.

HighPoint’s Rocket 1528D 2nd Generation Gen4 NVMe Switch Adapter leverages Broadcom’s cutting-edge 48-lane PCIe Switch ICs to maximize storage performance and expansion potential of PCIe 4.0 x16 host connectivity.

Armed with x16 lanes of dedicated upstream bandwidth, unparalleled scalability, and enterprise reliability, Rocket 1528D adapters establish a new standard for PCIe Gen4 storage expansion, and are engineered to accommodate today’s data-intensive enterprise and Edge datacenter computing environments.

Key Features:

4x SlimSAS (SFF-8654) Ports (dedicated x8 lanes per port)
Supports Enterprise and Datacenter Class U.2, U.3 & E1.S NVMe media
Leverages Broadcom's 48-Lane PEX88048 PCIe Switch IC

• Ensures the fastest, densest downstream connectivity possible

• Optimizes signal integrity & stability, and minimizes latency

Natively supported by Mainstream Operating systems; delivers driverless deployment experience
Robust, flexible & scalable; Tailor speed & capacity for the deployment & infrastructure requirements of each Application/Workflow

Customizable Firmware Solution for diverse array of storage infrastructure requirements
Proven, Comprehensive cabling solutions designed for direct-to-device and industry standard backplane connectivity
Designed to maximize performance & connectivity density per PCIe x16 Slot:
Achieves up to 28GB/s with support for 32 devices
Hot-Swap/Hot-Plug device Support
Supports Multi-Adapter Configurations: 2 or more Adapters can coexist in a single workstation or server environment

Powered by Industry Proven PCIe Switching Technology

HighPoint NVMe RAID Adapters are engineered to maximize the potential of each available PCIe x16 slot to deliver peak performance and superior storage connectivity. Each solution leverages Broadcom’s industry-leading x48-Lane PCIe Switch ICs to optimize signal integrity, minimize latency and provide the fastest, densest downstream port connectivity possible in a single-slot device. Learn More...

Tailored for Scalable Storage Infrastructures

The Rocket 1528D's flexible, configurable firmware packages enable the adapter to support a broad range of storage and device configurations designed for integration into data-intensive edge computing and enterprise hardware environments.

Configurable PCIe Lane Counts enable customers to optimize data flow and/or transfer performance to facilitate seamless integration of NVMe media into various storage architectures and workloads.

Compliant with Industry Backplane Specifications: Support UBM (Universal Backplane Management), VPP Virtual Pin Port and real-time storage health and connectivity monitoring to ensure full compliance with industry standard backplane specifications for superior reliability.

Comprehensive Storage Communication Interfaces: Support for SMBus, I2C, and advanced Out-of-Band protocols like MCTP and SMC enables the Rocket 1528D to enhance and optimize storage administration across a diverse range of hardware environments.

HighPoint’s flexible, highly-scalable approach to NVMe storage expansion enables enterprise customers to dynamically tailor storage configurations to satisfy evolving requirements of data center and edge computing workloads.

Native, Driverless Mainstream OS Support delivers Seamless Deployment Experience

The Rocket 1528D is natively supported by all modern Linux and Windows based operating systems, and utilizes Broadcom’s embedded MPT driver, and the OS’s native NVMe drivers. Administrators need only physically install the Adapter PCIe card – no software installation or unique management suite is required.

HighPoint NVMe Switch storage solutions are universally compatible with all modern operating systems, including Microsoft Windows/Windows Server, Azure and Hyper-V, and Linux distributions such as RHEL, Debian, Ubuntu, & Rocky Linux.

2.5" NVMe media hosted by the Adapter will be automatically recognized by these platforms as ordinary physical disks, and can be formatted and partitioned using the default storage interface or SDS (software defined storage) application of choice.

In addition, native OS compatibility significantly streamlines service and maintenance sessions as support for the hardware is already embedded directly into each OS.

Advanced Field Service Feature Suite

Integrated LCD Indication Alert System.png

Intelligent Self-Diagnostic LEDs & Alarms: The Rocket 1528D features Built-In Early Warning LED Indicators and Audible Alarms. Simple color coding and light/sound patterns enable administrators to instantly asses the status of hosted NVMe media, the strength of the PCIe connection, and temperature of the PCIe switch hardware.

FRU (Field Replicable Unit) Support: The Rocket 1528D is a field replaceable unit (FRU); the VPD stored on each adapter enables customers and service providers to easily procure replacements with the correct firmware/driver combination.

HighPoint MPT Utility: HighPoint’s MPT Utility offers advanced real-time monitoring and diagnostic services for each Switch Adapter.

Integrated NVMe Hot-Plug & Hot-Swap Capability: Enables administrators to add or remove SSDs while the host platform remains online.

Redesigned Cooling Solution

The Rocket 1528D's redesigned PCIe Gen4 NVMe Hardware Cooling Solution is comprised of full-Length Aluminum heat exchanger, which features an innovative copper piping system designed to rapidly whisk waste heat away from the PEX 88048 switch IC and controller componentry to promote longevity of the adapter hardware.

Versatile Cabling Solutions

The Rocket 1528D is capable of interfacing with a variety of industry standard storage chassis, including internal 2.5” drive bays, Mobile Racks, and storage backplanes via a selection of certified cabling solutions.

These include direct to SSD connections such SFF-8639 (U.2/U.3).

Options for backplane/mobile rack connectivity include SFF-8654, and SFF-8643 (Gen3).

Flexible Multi-Adapter Configurations

Provided there are two or more free PCIe x16 slots, as many as four NVMe Switch Adapters can coexist within a single platform. Operating systems will recognize each Adapter will be recognized as a distinct device, and is capable of operating independently. Configurable in single or multi-AIC/Adapter deployments, HighPoint NVMe Switch solutions offer unmatched flexibility in design and performance optimization.

Applications & Use Cases

HighPoint NVMe Switch Adapters are versatile, professional grade storage expansion solutions with plug-and-play integration and enterprise reliability. The Rocket 1528D is capable of supporting up to 32 U.2, U.3 and EDSFF SSDs via a selection of certified cabling solutions and a single PCIe x16 connection. The robust connectivity, plug-and-play installation and flexible approach to storage expansion enables the adapter to satisfy an enormous range of workload requirements such as Edge computing, data analytics, AI/ML workflows, Enterprise IT and server/datacenter applications.

The Rocket 1528D is designed to comply with industry-standard storage backplane specifications and communication interfaces, and can be seamlessly integrated into a diverse array of storage infrastructure. Built-in status monitoring and diagnostic capabilities enhance reliability and streamline service workflows, while Native hardware support simplifies the deployment process, ensuring full compatibility with all major operating systems platforms. This versatility makes HighPoint’s NVMe Switch Adapter ideal for IT environments needing scalable, high-performance storage solutions.

Virtualization & Cloud Computing

Use Cases: Cloud Computing & Virtual Machine hosting

Benefits: Speeds up to 6 million IOPS, 4 to 8 independent M.2 Ports, and Native Linux & Windows support are ideal for VM platforms and Cloud Storage Services.

Enterprise Servers & Datacenters

Use Cases: Edge Server & Datacenter Environments

Benefits: Support for 2.5" NVMe media and Native hardware support simplifies service & upgrade workflows, and low-profile form-factor is ideal for datacenters and rackmount storage.

AI & ML Workflows

Use Cases: Neural Networks training, running AI algorithms, & real-time data analytics

Benefits: Accelerates data loading and model training times, supporting high-throughput data processing.

Big-Data Analytics

Use Cases: Applications that process large volumes of data such as real-time analytics and business intelligence applications

Benefits: Rapid access to large datasets, which results in faster analytics and insights generation.

Edge Computing

Use Cases: Industrial Platforms, Edge Server & Workstations

Benefits: Native hardware support simplifies service & upgrade workflows, and the low-profile form-factor is ideal for compact rack-mount chassis.

PCIe Gen5 Solutions

Product	PCIe	Ports	# of Devices	Hot-Swap	SSD FF
Rocket 7634D	PCIe 5.0 x16	1x CDFP	1x CopprLink Device	n/a	Supports CopprLink compliant NVMe enclosures
Rocket 7638D	PCIe 5.0 x16	1 x CDFP; 2 x MCIO 8x	Up to 16x NVMe SSDs / 1x eGPU	Yes (MCIO ports)	Direct Connect U.2/U.3/E3.S; Backplane Connection: ESDFF devices such as U.2/U.3/E1.S/E3.S
Rocket 1624A	PCIe 5.0 x16	2x MCIO 8x	Up to 16	Yes	Direct Connect U.2/U.3; Backplane Connection: ESDFF devices such as U.2/U.3/E1.S
Rocket 1628A	PCIe 5.0 x16	4x MCIO 8x	Up to 32	Yes	Direct Connect U.2/U.3/E3.S; Backplane Connection: ESDFF devices such as U.2/U.3/E1.S/E3.S

PCIe Gen4 (2nd-Gen) Solutions

Product	PCle	Ports	# of Devices	Hot-Swap	SSD FF
Rocket 1528D	PCIe 4.0 x16	4x SlimSAS (SFF-8654 8x）	Up to 32	Yes	Direct Connect U.2/U.3; Backplane Connection: ESDFF devices such as U.2/U.3/E1.S

PCIe Gen3 Solutions

Product	PCle	Ports	# of Devices	Hot-Swap	SSD FF
Rocket 1180	PCIe 3.0 x16	8x MiniSAS	Up to 8	N/A	Direct Connect U.2/U.3; Backplane Connection: U.2/U.3
Rocket 1120	PCIe 3.0 x16	4x MiniSAS	Up to 4	N/A	Direct Connect U.2/U.3; Backplane Connection: U.2/U.3

HighPoint NVMe Switch Adapters and Systems from our Partners

Testimonials

For a project requiring more than 80 custom servers, we needed a reliable U.2 SSD hot-swap solution. The HighPoint R1528D 8-port Gen4 Switch controller exceeded expectations, working flawlessly in both Windows and Linux—without requiring drivers. Performance was excellent, reaching the full 28GB/sec in our customer’s application.

HighPoint’s team was also fantastic—responsive and accommodating, even manufacturing additional cards for us, to a very tight deadline.

They delivered on time, making the process smooth and stress-free.

We look forward to working with HighPoint again as we transition over to PCIe Gen5 U.2 SSDs.

Dan Goldsmith, CTO, Armari Ltd