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PCIe Gen5 x16 to 4x M.2 NVMe Switch AIC
Key Features:
4x M.2 Ports (dedicated x4 lanes per port)
No. of Devices: Up to 4
Bus Interface: PCIe 5.0 x 16
Switch AIC: Robust, Plug & Play NVMe Storage Expansion solution
Natively supported by Mainstream Operating systems：Supports x86 Intel/AMD & ARM Platforms
M.2 SSDs: (2242 / 2260 / 2280)
Product Model | Rocket 1604A |
Hardware Features | |
Bus Interface | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
Number of Channel / Port | 4 x NVMe Ports (Dedicated PCIe 5.0 x4 per port) |
Port Type | M.2 |
Data Transfer Rate | 64GB/s |
Number of devices | 4 |
SSD Form Factor | M.2 (2242, 2260, 2280) |
Synthetic Hierarchy | Yes |
Diagnostic LED Support | Disk Active, Disk Fail, Disk Present |
External Power Connector | N/A |
Toolless SSD Installation | Yes |
Rocket 1604A PCIe Gen5 x16 to 4-M.2 NVMe Switch AIC
HighPoint’s Rocket 1604A 4-Channel NVMe Switch AIC is an ultra-compact high-speed 4-port M.2 NVMe storage connectivity solution capable of delivering up to 56GB/s of transfer bandwidth for industry-standard x86 workstation and server platforms via a single PCIe x16 slot. The AIC can directly host up to four M.2 SSDs, removing the need for internal drive bays and cabling accessories. The half-length, single-width form factor is ideal for space-constrained computing environments such as industrial workstations, edge platforms and rackmount servers.
Key Features:
4 Independent M.2 Ports
Wide-range of M.2 Form factor Support (2242, 2260, 2280)
Leverages Broadcom’s 48-lane PCIe Gen5 PEX89048 PCIe Switch IC:
• Ensures the fastest, densest downstream connectivity possible
• Optimizes signal integrity & stability, and minimizes latency
Designed to maximize performance & connectivity density per PCIe 5.0 x16 slot: Up to 56GB/s and 12 Million IOPs using just four NVMe SSDs!
Customizable Firmware Solutions for Gen5 AICs
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
Supports x86 Intel/AMD & ARM Platforms
Firmware-based Diagnotics Capability
Powered by Industry Proven PCIe Switching Technology
Rocket 1604A AICs are powered by HighPoint’s revolutionary PCIe Gen5 Switching Architecture, which leverages Broadcom’s industry leading PEX89048 PCIe Switch IC to optimize signal integrity, minimize latency, maximize data transfer speed, and enable the AIC to provide x48 lanes of internal PCIe Gen5 bandwidth; x16 lanes to the upstream connection and 32 to the downstream ports. This guarantees that maximum bandwidth is available to each M.2 SSD at all times, enabling the AIC to deliver a class-leading 56GB/s of real-world transfer performance.
Native, Driverless Mainstream OS Support delivers Seamless Deployment Experience
Rocket 1600 series AICs are natively supported by all modern Linux and Windows based operating systems, and utilize Broadcom’s embedded MPT driver, and the OS’s native NVMe drivers. Administrators need only physically install the AIC – no software installation or unique management suite is required.
HighPoint PCIe/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.
M.2 media hosted by the AIC will be automatically recognized by these platforms, 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
Intelligent Self-Diagnostic LEDs & Alarms: The Rocket 1604A 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: Rocket 1604A AICs are field replaceable units (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 AIC.
Advanced Cooling Solution
Rocket 1604A AICs are equipped with a powerful, ultra-efficient hardware cooling solution comprised of an anodized aluminum heatsink with an integrated low-decibel cooling fan, multiple layers of high-efficiency thermal padding, and a ventilated PCIe bracket. The solution rapidly transfers waste heat away from the hosted M.2 media and Switch chipset, and keep the performance-sapping threat of thermal throttling at bay.
Flexible Multi-AIC Configurations
Provided there are two or more free PCIe x16 slots, as many as four NVMe Switch AICs can coexist within a single platform. Operating systems will recognize each AIC 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 and Use Cases
The compact half-length Rocket 1604A NVMe Switch AIC's revolutionary PCIe Gen5 Switch Architecture and four independent M.2 ports can support up to 32TB of storage capacity at speeds up to 56GB/s; ideal for high-speed data-intensive applications hosted by Industrial and Edge computing environments.
Simple plug-and-play installation and embedded driver support with all major OS platforms streamlines deployment and service workflows, enabling customers to seamlessly integrate Gen5 storage performance into any AMD/Intel x86 and ARM platform with a free PCIe 5.0 x16 slot.
This versatility makes the Rocket 1604A an ideal choice for IT environments that require a powerful, small-footprint high-density storage expansion solution.
Media Editing & Content Creation
Use Cases: 4K/8K Editing Platforms, Media Workstations
Benefits: The Rocket 1604A's dedicated PCIe Gen5 bandwidth, proven switch technology and advanced cooling system ensure M.2 media operates at peak performance.
Edge Computing
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Use Cases: Edge Server & Workstation Environments
Benefits: The compact form-factor, Blazing performance, and rapid response time are ideal edge server and datacenter applications.
Medical & Scientific
Use Cases: EMS (electron microscopy), MRI/CT scan storage, electronic health records (EHR), & medical research databases
Benefits: Massive bandwidth & capacity support HD imaging systems, rapid access to large files & patient data to enhance diagnostic & research
PCIe Gen5 Solutions
Product | PCIe | Ports | M.2 FF | AIC FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket 1608A | PCIe 5.0 x16 | 8 | 2242 /2260/ 2280 | FH-FL |
Rocket 1604A | PCIe 5.0 x16 | 4 | 2242 /2260 /2280 | FH-HL |
PCIe Gen4 Solutions
Product | PCIe | Ports | M.2 FF | AIC FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket 1504 | PCIe 4.0 x16 | 4 | 2242 /2260/ 2280 / 22110 | FH-FL |
Rocket 1508 | PCIe 4.0 x16 | 8 | 2242 /2260/ 2280 | FH-FL |
PCIe Gen3 Solutions
Product | PCIe | Ports | M.2 FF | AIC FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket 1108A | PCIe 3.0 x16 | 8 | 2242 /2260/ 2280 | FH-FL |
Rocket 1104 | PCIe 3.0 x16 | 4 | 2242 /2260/ 2280 / 22110 | FH-FL |
Rocket 1204 | PCIe 3.0 x8 | 4 | 2242 /2260/ 2280 / 22110 | FH-FL |
NOTE: Please email to GeneralSales@highpoint-tech.com for more information about upgrading to latest software and documents.
NOTE: Please email to GeneralSales@highpoint-tech.com for more information about upgrading to latest software and documents.
FAQ
HighPoint NVMe Switch Adapters and Systems from our Partners
Testimonials
WizjaNet Deploys Rocket 1604A Gen5 NVMe Pro/RAID AIC to Power Next-Generation Server Storage
A Proven, Reliable Gen5 M.2 NVMe RAID Solution for Modern Server Infrastructure
WizjaNet Sp. z o.o., a long-standing Polish ISP, hosting provider, and enterprise computing solutions company, recently sought a high-performance PCIe Gen5 storage solution to enhance their existing server product line. After evaluating several competing NVMe controllers, WizjaNet selected the HighPoint Rocket 1600-series NVMe Switch AICs — citing reliability, compact design, and unmatched compatibility as their top priorities.
Selecting a Gen5 Storage Platform Without Compromise
WizjaNet required a storage solution that could be easily integrated into their existing server products, while still supporting next-generation Gen5 M.2 NVMe SSDs. WizjaNet determined that conventional solutions, including hardware RAID NVMe storage, was not suitable for the product line, due to size constraints and the excessive costs and complexity associated with this type of hardware configuration.
HighPoint recommended the Rocket 1600-series PCIe Gen5 NVMe Switch controllers for their unique ability to host up to 8× M.2 SSDs and scale to 64TB of high-speed storage, all within a single compact add-in card.
For ZFS-based deployments, WizjaNet ultimately chose the Rocket 1604A, enabling them to integrate ZFS drives with their motherboard’s onboard capabilities while maintaining an efficient hardware footprint.
The decision was also shaped by WizjaNet’s architectural requirements:
Database servers rely on mdadm for peak performance
Application servers use ZFS to simplify backups and system migrations
Physical space constraints make multi-card RAID arrays impossible in their compact server platforms
The Rocket 1600 series’ single-slot Gen5 NVMe architecture and driverless, native hardware support were an ideal match.
The Only Gen5 NVMe AIC To Pass Every Stress Test
During evaluation, WizjaNet tested at least five competing PCIe Gen5 NVMe controllers — and every one failed under load. According to their engineering team, issues included transfer-rate drops, freezing, link instability, and even complete NVMe drive disconnects during sustained stress testing.
Only HighPoint’s Rocket 1604A and Rocket 1608A passed consistently.
“The R1604A is the only controller that survived every stress test without losing any of the four NVMe drives at any point.”
The tests were conducted using the latest Gen5 NVMe SSD models from multiple manufacturers, providing a broad, real-world validation scenario. The results were clear: HighPoint’s Gen5 architecture delivered stable, uninterrupted performance with no link failures.
A Key Advantage: True Plug-and-Play Gen5 Support Without Bifurcation
One of the biggest operational benefits for WizjaNet was the Rocket 1600-series’ ability to operate without host-system bifurcation, a feature that remains inconsistently supported across many server motherboard vendors. The Rocket 1604’s dedicated PCIe switch enables it to allocate bandwidth to each hosted SSD, without input from the host platform, where it is needed most. This eliminated configuration complexity and ensured that the controllers could be deployed reliably across different server models.
WizjaNet attributes this as a major factor in selecting HighPoint over competing Gen5 NVMe solutions.
Exceptional Support That Extends Beyond Hardware
WizjaNet emphasized that HighPoint’s support experience was just as important as the hardware performance.
Their engineering team highlighted:
Fast, knowledgeable responses to technical questions
Direct assistance expediting procurement through EU resellers
Custom firmware tuning to extract the highest possible performance for their deployment
“HighPoint Technologies is more than just a manufacturer of excellent hardware. Their team supported us thoroughly — simply support at an exceptional level.”
A Trusted Gen5 NVMe RAID Platform for Modern Server Workloads
With the Rocket 1600-series deployed across their server fleet, WizjaNet now has a storage foundation that meets the demands of modern enterprise workloads — from database performance to high-speed application hosting and efficient ZFS-based system management.
Their experience reinforces the reputation of HighPoint’s Gen5 NVMe RAID architecture as one of the industry’s most reliable, stable, and professionally supported solutions.
Learn More: https://www.erp.wizja.net/crm
WizjaNet Deploys Rocket 1604A Gen5 NVMe Pro/RAID AIC to Power Next-Generation Server Storage