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