HighPoint currently manufactures two distinct NVMe AIC product lines: our Rocket 1000 series NVMe AICs, and our SSD7000 series NVMe RAID AICs. Though both product lines share the same base hardware architecture, each series is targeted towards a different set of application and operating environment. HighPoint’s entire NVMe AIC product portfolio is powered by Broadcom’s industry leading PCIe switch technology, and HighPoint’s precision engineered cooling solutions. As such, all are capable of maximizing x16 lanes of upstream bandwidth, and deliver x4 lanes of dedicated downstream bandwidth to each device port. So, which system is right for your application and platform – a Rocket series AIC or SSD series RAID AIC? This article compares and contrasts the two product families, and may help you narrow down your selection. Common Feature Set: Hardware Architecture Broadcom Inside! HighPoint NVMe AICs hardware architecture incorporates Broadcom PCIe switch chipsets, with proven SerDes and SRIS technology, to optimize signal integrity, reduce latency and maximize transfer throughput. These ICs provide and abundance of electrical lanes: 48 for Gen4 and 32 for Gen3. This ensures bandwidth is never wasted; x4 lanes are always on tap for each device port. The highly flexible, performance-focused hardware architecture is unique to our NVMe solutions, and guarantees that maximum bandwidth is available to each SSD at all times. This combination enables Rocket series NVMe AICs to allocate a dedicated x16 lanes of Upstream bandwidth, and x4 lanes of downstream bandwidth to each NVMe device port, and deliver transfer throughput up to 28GB/s for PCIe Gen4 platforms, and up to 14GB/s for Gen3 systems – the maximum possible for a single-card application! Learn More Industry’s Most Effective NVMe Cooling Systems NVMe storage solutions can generate a considerable amount of waste heat under load, especially those that employ high-density dual-sided NAND, such as E1.S and M.2 22110 media. In an effort to protect this sensitive hardware, most SSDs will limit throughput when a temperature threshold has been crossed; a technique known as ”thermal throttling”. While thermal throttling is an ideal failsafe, it can severely bottleneck transfer performance. In order to optimize NVMe storage performance, you will need to keep temperatures in check. HighPoint NVMe AICs were designed to mitigate the threat of thermal throttling to excel in high-stress computing environments. Most of our NVMe AICs utilize robust, high-quality, low-decibel cooling fans designed to rapidly inject and condense cool air within the casing/heatsink, and expel waste heat from the ventilated PCIe bracket. The Ultra-Cooling fan system was engineered to perform optimally in demanding 24/7 workflows while generating minimal noise. Our NVMe AIC products are equipped with one of four specialized cooling solutions. Dual-Width Cooling Solution: SSD7749 NVMe RAID AICs employ a precision engineering NVMe cooling solution designed to accommodate high-density, dual-sided PCIe Gen4 E1.S and M.2 22110 media. Powerful, low-decibel fans draw cool air from within the system chassis, then condense and circulate it throughout the casing. Waste heat is drawn away from the SSD and critical componentry, then rapidly expelled via the ventilated bracket. The unique SSD socket design enables NVMe media to be arranged vertically, which ensures that the cool, condensed air reaches each side of the SSD. Learn More about HighPoint’s Dual-Width Cooling Solution Silent Running: This passive, completely silent cooling system is ideal for professional media workflows that demand a quiet, controlled work environment. This system combines a full-length anodized aluminum heatsink with high-efficiency thermal padding. Low-Noise Active Cooling Solution: Employed by the majority of our PCIe Gen3 AICs, it ensures each hosted SSD consistently operates within the manufacturer’s recommended temperature thresholds, and is comprised of a full-length anodized heat sink, thermal padding and robust, low-noise cooling fans. Hyper-Cooling Solution: Designed for PCIe Gen4 M.2 media , this system leverages an anodized aluminum heatsink with one or more low-decibel cooling fans and high-efficiency thermal padding. It was designed to rapidly transfers waste heat away from sensitive hardware and ensure M.2 media always perform optimally, even under maximum load. Learn More about HighPoint’s Innovative NVMe Cooling Systems What makes SSD7000 AICs different from Rocket 1000 AICs? While HighPoint NVMe AICs share a common hardware architecture powered by our state-of-the-art PCB design, industry leading Broadcom PCIe switch technology, and precision engineered cooling systems, where they differ is in the details. SSD7000 series NVMe RAID AICs employ HighPoint’s industry proven NVMe RAID & storage technology, comprehensive management and monitoring suites, and storage solution packages designed to optimize performance, capacity, reliability and data security. They are highly customizable, and can be tailored for a wide range of high-performance platforms and applications. Due to these characteristics, SSD7000 series NVMe RAID AICs are ideal storage solutions for workflows that have specific transfer rate or capacity targets. Learn More About HighPoint RAID & Storage Technology In contrast, Rocket 1000 series NVMe AICs were designed for use with any industry-standard server or workstation and workflows that employ SDS (Software Design Storage) suites. They are supported natively by all major operating system platforms and require no separate device driver or software package. As such, Rocket 1000 series AICs can be easily integrated into nearly any modern computing platform, and can be configured using the host operating systems standard toolset. For many customers, they can effectively serve as direct plug-and-play NVMe storage solutions. Which NVMe AIC Solution is right for me? It all boils down to your target application and the associated hardware/software environment. The SSD7000 series’ comprehensive management and monitoring suite, and storage solutions are ideal for applications that have specific transfer-speed, capacity and data security requirements. If you are looking to build a custom storage solution, SSD7000 series RAID AICs are the ideal choice. If you need to quickly install an NVMe storage solution into an existing industry standard server or workstation environment, and the target workflow was designed to employ SDS (software defined storage) technology or rely on the default OS storage toolset, the Rocket 1000 series native hardware support, and resulting ease of integration may be the perfect solution. Learn More: SSD7000 series NVMe AICs Rocket 1000 series NVMe AICs NVMe Product Matrix

In general, PCIe Gen4 M.2 NVMe SSDs with 4 or more TB of capacity utilize double-sided NAND. While this form factor allows for denser storage media, heat dissipation can be a major concern, as considerably more NAND memory has been packaged into the same physical space. In addition, airflow is often restricted for the “down” side of the SSD (the side positioned closest the surface of the controller or motherboard). If the SSDs do not have enough “breathing room”, the risk of overheating can become a major concern, especially when the SSDs are under heavy load for prolonged periods of time. Thermal throttling will inevitably kick in and severely bottleneck transfer performance. HighPoint’s SSD7749M PCIe Gen4 NVMe AIC was designed to mitigate this risk. The unique dual-width AIC form factor is ideal for double-sided M.2 NVMe media! Industry’s First Dual-Width M.2 NVMe AIC HighPoint’s SSD7749 series of AIC RAID controllers and Host Adapters have established a new milestone for NVMe storage, and were designed to address the stringent performance, and reliability requirements of industrial workflows, such as AI and edge-computing applications and HD media post production. The robust, double-width AIC architecture and full-length aluminum casing has incorporated a unique tool-less SSD loading system, and dedicated cooling system designed to protect critical NVMe hardware and eliminate performance bottlenecks associated with thermal throttling. The SSD7749M’s unique architecture and specialized cooling system enables M.2 media to be arranged vertically, similar to how memory is installed into most motherboards. This unique approach simplifies installation and service workflows while providing superior airflow; a true win-win situation! The system enables the SSD7749M to easily accommodate dual-sided M.2 SSDs, even those with a 22110 form-factor. Learn More: SSD7749M 8-port M.2 PCIe Gen4 NVMe RAID Controller

HighPoint’s SSD7749 Series PCIe Gen4 RAID AICs feature the Industry’s First Dual-Width NVMe Cooling Solution Historically, the term “Dual-width” has been synonymous with high-end PCIe GPU’s. This term refers to a PCIe card’s physical size, which as the name implies, requires the equivalent of two PCIe slots. It is rarely, if ever, even mentioned when discussing a storage or connectivity AIC (add-in card). However, the continuous advancement of NVMe technology has resulted in a drastic rethink about the hardware architecture of your typical NVMe AIC. In just a few short years, the performance of a single SSD has doubled from 3500MB/s to 7000MB/s. And, in the very near future, this will double once more to 14,000MB/s. It is becoming increasingly obvious that conventional single-width HBA architecture will be unable to keep pace with demanding NVMe applications. Faster, high-capacity SSDs utilize increasingly higher-density NAND, and generate vast quantities of waste heat under load. Simply put, a dual-width form-factor allows a significantly more robust cooling system; the added interior space can accommodate larger, more efficient heat sinks and powerful fans to promote superior air flow. If your goal is to unlock the full performance potential of NVMe media, these factors cannot be ignored. Our new series of PCIe Gen4 NVMe RAID AICs have adopted a double-width architecture for this very reason. Introducing the Industry’s First Dual-Width NVMe AICs HighPoint’s revolutionary SSD7749E E1.S RAID AIC represents a major leap forward in NVMe storage technology, and was designed specifically meet the demanding performance, reliability, and capacity requirements of industrial servers and edge-computing workflows. Adopting a double-wide form factor was the only logical choice for single-PCIe slot AIC solution, and enabled our engineers to develop the product without compromise. Each AIC is enclosed within a full-length aluminum casing designed to protect critical hardware from high-stress working environments. The casing incorporates a powerful, precision engineered cooling system and ingenious, tool-less SSD loading system designed to accommodate high-density, dual-sided PCIe Gen4 E1.S NVMe media of any width and capacity. The dual-width layout is not a new concept. Dual-width graphic adapters have been available for years, and could now be considered the “norm”. This is why the majority of modern workstation and server platforms are designed to accommodate this type of PCIe device. However, the SSD7749 design is rather unique in this sense, as it is the first commercially available NVMe AIC to utilize this layout. It should be noted that SSD7749 Series AICs do not require the full physical space provided by two PCIe slots. In fact, the cards are only ½ inch or so wider than the SSD7540 M.2 RAID HBA, which uses a single-width form factor, and is approximately 1 inch wide. This additional space provided by reserving two slots provides a virtual “cushion” between the SSD7749 Series AIC and neighboring PCIe devices, which as a bonus, improves airflow within the system chassis. Dedicated Dual-Width Cooling System Eliminates Thermal Throttling As NVMe technology continues to proliferate across vertical markets, the demand for a faster, denser storage solution that utilizes compact form-factor M.2 SSDs and new DC class E1.S media, is on the rise. However, such solutions require a much more robust and efficient cooling system. High-density PCIe Gen4 NVMe media generates a considerable volume of waste heat under load; successfully managing this heat is the key to unlocking the full performance potential of NVMe storage. In response to this growing demand, HighPoint’s product development team have engineered an entirely new double-width cooling solution for SSD7749 series NVMe RAID AICs. Designed to drastically improve cooling performance over existing single-width solutions, this innovative new system ensures high-density PCIe Gen4 E1.S and M.2 22110 media consistently deliver maximum throughput for extended I/O sessions. Precision Engineered “Ultra-Cooling” Fan System: SSD7749 Series NVMe RAID AICs are equipped with robust, high-quality, low-decibel cooling fans designed to rapidly inject and condense cool air within the casing,and expel waste heat from the ventilated PCIe bracket. This “Ultra-Cooling” fan system was engineered to perform optimally in demanding 24/7 workflows while generating minimal noise. Vertical SSD Slot Design: The dual-width architecture of SSD7749 Series NVMe RAID AICs incorporates a unique socket design that enables NVMe media to be arranged vertically, similar to how memory is installed into a conventional motherboard. This “upright” vertical positioning ensures that the cool, condensed air circulating within the casing reaches both sides of the SSD. The “upright” vertical positioning enables the cool air circulated within the casing to reach both sides of E1.S and M.2 SSDs Direct End-to-End Airflow Channeling: A pair of powerful, low-decibel cooling fans that are integrated directly into the casing’s “door” mechanism, which swings up and away from the AIC to expose the SSD loading bay. These fans draw in large volumes of cool air from the platform’s chassis, and direct it towards centrally mounted heat sink. The cool air is then condensed and circulated throughout the interior of the casing. Waste heat is drawn away from the SSDs and critical componentry and rapidly expelled through the “rear” of the AIC, via the vented PCIe bracket. Waste heat is drawn away from the SSDs and critical componentry and rapidly expelled through the “rear” of the AIC, via the vented PCIe bracket. The hardware side of this cooling solution was designed to work seamlessly with HighPoint’s SHI (Storage Health Inspector) software interface, which allows administrators to quickly assess the operating status, endurance rating and temperature of NV Me devices via S.M.A.R.T. technology, in real-time. SHI allows administrators to change the temperature warning thresholds, which can be adjusted for each hosted SSD. These determine how and when the interface will notify you if one or more SSDs is running hot, and adjust fan speed accordingly. It can also be tied into the SSD7749’s audible (beeper) alarm and the WebGUI/CLI’s Event Log and Email notification system. This tool is essential for maintaining high data-throughput in high-stress workloads, and as it is another way to keep the threat of thermal throttling at bay. Learn More: SSD7749E 8-Channel E1.S PCIe Gen4 NVMe RAID AIC SSD7749M 8-Channel M.2 PCIe Gen4 NVMe RAID AIC Cool-Off up to 8x Double-Sided M.2 Devices! E1.S Form-Factor & Thickness Video Introducing the SSD7749 Series Use the SSD7749 with the Apple Mac Pro M2 Ultra

HighPoint’s Dual-Width E1.S and M.2 NVMe AICs are the perfect High-performance storage solution for Apple’s new generation of Mac Pro workstations. Designed for high-stress media, industrial and AI applications, SSD7749 series NVMe RAID AIC host bus adapters, are capable of delivering up to 28GB/s of sustained transfer throughput via a single PCIe Gen4 x16 slot, and double-this with a Cross-Sync configuration! The new Mac Pro is powered by Apple’s M2 Ultra chipset and 24-Core CPU, which were developed entirely in house, and reportedly perform nearly 2x faster than their Intel-based predecessors. The platforms GPU capability is arguably even more impressive; up to 76 cores and 192GB of memory. All of this computing and graphical power is backed by 7 full-length PCIe expansion slots, 4 of which can support dual-width PCIe devices. The slots located at the “bottom” of the motherboard are both x16, and could each potentially host an SSD7749. The new platform was designed for Media Professionals, and is being marketed towards media post production and content creation workflows. As such, Apple states the new platform can handle up to 22 concurrent streams of 8K ProRes video. Double your Mac Pro’s Storage Performance and Capacity with HighPoint’s Double-Width NVMe Architecture HighPoint’s innovative dual-width NVMe hardware architecture is capable of delivering maximum bandwidth for each available PCIe Gen4 slot! Our SSD7749 series NVMe AICs leverage Broadcom’s 48-lane PCIe Gen4 PEX88048 switch chipset, and their proven SerDes and SRIS technology, to optimize signal integrity, reduce latency and maximize transfer throughput. This combination enables our dual-width NVMe AIC to optimize the x16 lanes of bandwidth provided by the Mac Pro’s PCIe Gen4 expansion slots, and allocate a dedicated x4 lanes to each downstream device port The end result is 28GB/s of real-world transfer performance; the maximum possible for a single-card application! Double & Quadruple NVMe Storage Performance: SSD7749 series dual-width NVMe AICs double the performance capabilities of conventional PCIe Gen3 NVMe solutions, from 14GB/s to 28GB/s per PCIe slot. In addition, SSD7749 series NVMe RAID AICs feature HighPoint’s Cross-Sync performance technology. M2 Mac Pros can easily accommodate a pair of SSD7749 AICs via the two dual-width (double-height) Gen4 x16 slots. This enables customers to leverage up to 32 lanes and double transfer throughput to an astounding 55GB/s! Learn More about HighPoint’s Cross-Sync technology Double Capacity with Enterprise Class Reliability: SSD7749 series AICs were designed to accommodate high-capacity DC class E1.S and 22110 M.2 NVMe media, which offer enterprise grade reliability, with endurance ratings between 1 and 3 DWPD (disk writes per day); on par with U.2/U.3 SSDs. DC class E1.S media is also ideal for applications that must operate for extended periods of time, and are capable of delivering high levels of sustained, long-duration read & write I/O performance, especially when compared to their “client” class counterparts. Precision Engineered Double-Width NVMe Cooling Solution As NVMe technology continues to proliferate across vertical markets, the demand for a faster, denser storage solution that utilizes compact form-factor M.2 SSDs and new DC class E1.S media, is on the rise. However, such solutions require a much more robust and efficient cooling system. High-density PCIe Gen4 NVMe media generates a considerable volume of waste heat under load; successfully managing this heat is the key to unlocking the full performance potential of NVMe storage. In response to this growing demand, HighPoint’s product development team have engineered an entirely new double-width cooling solution for SSD7749 series NVMe AICs. Designed to drastically improve cooling performance over existing single-width solutions, this innovative new system mitigates the threat of thermal throttling and ensures high-density PCIe Gen4 E1.S and M.2 22110 media consistently deliver maximum throughput for extended I/O sessions. Each AIC is fully enclosed by an anodized aluminum casing designed to optimize airflow. The dual-width architecture’s unique socket design enables NVMe media to be arranged vertically, similar to how memory is installed into a conventional motherboard. This ensures both sides of the SSD are exposed to the cool air ingested by a pair of powerful, low-decibel cooling fans integrated directly into the casing’s “door” mechanism, which swings up and away from the AIC to expose the SSD loading bay. The cool air is condensed and circulated throughout the casing, which then rapidly ejects waste heat via the ventilated PCIe bracket. Dual-Width NVMe AIC Product Lines SSD7749 Series: 8-Channel PCIe Gen4 x16 NVMe RAID AIC Host Bus Adapters HighPoint’s SSD7749 series represents the epitome of NVMe RAID Storage Technology. Armed with HighPoint’s advanced NVMe RAID stack, SSD7749 series AICs are capable of supporting RAID 0, 1, 10 arrays and individual-drives, including mixed configurations of single-disks and arrays. SSD7749 series AICs include a comprehensive suite of NVMe Storage and RAID Management and Monitoring tools for macOS, designed to streamline upgrade and maintenance workflows. Learn More: SSD7749E 8-Channel E1.S PCIe Gen4 NVMe RAID AIC SSD7749M 8-Channel M.2 PCIe Gen4 NVMe RAID AIC Dual-Width NVMe Cooling Solution Double-Sided M.2 Cooling Solution Video Introducing the SSD7749 Series

HighPoint Linux Binary Drivers Binary drivers are product specific, and developed for a particular distribution version of Linux, they are released to support a new “base” release or major update. As such, they are easy to install and use, even for novice administrators. Binary drivers are also bootable – they enable the Linux distribution to be installed directly to a disk or RAID array hosted by the HighPoint product. However, there is one major caveat; binary drivers are designed for a specific distribution and kernel (default Kernel) combination, and this combination only. They cannot be used with any other distribution or kernel version, and will not work once the kernel is updated. Customers that wish to use Binary drivers are encouraged to check the download section of the corresponding HighPoint product to make sure a package is available for their target specific Linux distribution version. For this reason, we strongly advise that customers disconnect the host platform from the internet during installation. This will prevent the Linux distribution from attempting to download any updates during the install procedure (which would break the driver and prevent the process from completing). We also encourage customers already using Linux binary drivers to download and install the Open-Source package. This may sound counter-intuitive on the surface, but it can enable the Linux system to remain bootable even after a kernel update. After the Binary Driver has been fully installed, and the system is up and running, download the latest version of the Open-Source driver. This is available as a separate package, and is posted in the Downloads section of each product’s webpage (links are also available from the Linux Community page). For more information about the HighPoint Linux Open-Source driver, read on. We also recommend the following article. HighPoint Linux Open-Source Driver Open-Source drivers offer more flexibility than Binary releases, and allow administrators to compile new device drivers as needed. However, traditional open-source downloads required that the user be familiar with manual compilation and the required toolsets, and have expertise with Linux command lines. This all changed with the release of HighPoint’s Auto-Compiling driver solution, which condensed the entire process into a few simple command lines. The service has continually evolved over the years, and is now known as Linux Auto Compile Solution 2.0, or LACS2.0. LACS2.0 drive package need only be installed once, and does not require that the administrator ever compile a new driver manually, nor contact a support representative for a new open-source download. All subsequent kernel updates will be handled automatically by the service (hence the name of the solution), and requires zero user intervention. Learn More. Learn More: Data RAID vs. Boot RAID

HighPoint uses the terms “Data RAID” and Boot-RAID” to describe the primary function of a RAID array. Data-RAID: Storage Volumes Data RAID: a RAID array that is only used to store or process data. An operating system will recognize a Data-RAID array as a single physical drive, which can then be formatted/partitioned as needed. In most cases, Data-RAID arrays can be easily moved from one system or another, provided it is connected to a compatible HighPoint product (such as moving a RAID 0 array between two SSD7000 series controllers). Boot-RAID: Bootable Volumes Boot-RAID: a RAID array that functions as a system disk (bootable drive or volume). In most cases, a Boot-RAID is configured as a redundant RAID array (RAID 1, 5, 6, 10, etc.), as it adds a layer of data security to the OS. Boot-RAID volumes must be created before an OS can be installed; a bootable drive cannot be converted into a RAID array. Depending on the product in use, administrators can configure the array using the controller’s BIOS interface or EUFI tool. Note: Though a Boot-RAID array can be moved from one HighPoint solution to another within the same product class, and remain recognized, the Boot-RAID is unlikely to remain bootable. This isn’t unique to HighPoint or RAID in general. Boot-volumes (this includes bootable, single disks) are generally “tied” to the computing platform that was in place at the time of the original OS installation. The Boot-RAID volume would be recognized and readable, but could not be used to boot another system. Learn More: NVMe RAID AIC Series

Performance Acceleration Technology for Targeted Applications Modern platforms are Core rich but don't always distribute computing power the way you need it. Making sure your NVMe media performs optimally isn’t always as simple as selecting the right PCIe slot. HPT-Optimize streamlines this tuning process. Today’s Servers and Workstation class CPU’s have become increasingly powerful in order to handle immense workloads. The Edge and Industrial platforms that employ such CPUs are expected to seamlessly process tremendous volumes of concurrent tasks. Despite the abundance of memory and processing resources, and the benefits of NVMe storage media, the risk of latency remains a genuine threat as job ques become larger and more varied. Unless mission critical applications can be tied to dedicated system and storage resources, performance will inevitably be compromised. HPT-Optimize can simplify the Performance Tuning Process for any Multi-Core platform: The utility was designed specifically for Professional Solution providers that do not have years of IT experience at their disposal: Smartly Allocates System Resources to ensure the target App utilizes the full potential of NVMe Storage Performance Intuitively Maps the most Efficient I/O processing route Reduced Job Processing Latency Manageable Consumption levels of processing Resources Learn More Solution Providers and existing Customers are encouraged to Contact Us learn more about this new technology. Cross-Sync RAID Technology Looking to maximize Gen4 storage performance? You need Cross-Sync RAID Technology. HighPoint’s revolutionary Cross-Sync RAID Technology enables administrators to optimize storage performance by scaling available us bandwidth up to 32 lanes to deliver sustained transfer speeds up to 55,000MB/s! PCIe slots have proven to be a simple, reliable way to expand device connectivity, while ensuring said devices (NVMe SSDs in this case) are allocated dedicated resources. However, modern NVMe media requires x4 lanes of dedicated host connectivity to operate at full speed. If you need a storage solution with more than four NVMe SSDs, a single x16 connection does not provide enough bandwidth to allow each SSD to perform optimally. Breaking the Performance Bottleneck Most of today’s off-the-shelf computing platforms employ one more multi-core processors, and can provide 128 lanes of PCIe Gen4 or Gen3 transfer bandwidth. However, the vast majority of NVMe RAID solutions are locked to a single PCIe slot. In order to overcome the x16 limitation, many are forced to manage a multi-RAID/multi-card configuration or resort to a purely software RAID solution (which are rarely tuned to support NVMe media). HighPoint’s Cross-Sync technology eliminates these performance bottlenecks, and enables administrators to take advantage of the abundant processing resources provided by a modern server or workstation platform. Cross-Sync RAID solutions are ideal for applications that employ Edge or Industrial grade computing platforms that require ultra-high performance storage solutions, as it enables Administrators to create RAID 0 or 10 arrays using a handful of compact PCIe devices. Easy to Install and Configure The entire process is seamless and entirely transparent to the host system. HighPoint Management solutions, such as the WebGUI and CLI, will simply display a single pool of drives to select from during RAID creation. The Windows or Linux OS will recognize a Cross-Sync RAID volume as an ordinary single "drive". Cross-Sync is best paired with DC or Enterprise class NVMe SSDs, which are capable of delivering consistently high-levels of sustained write performance of extended I/O sessions. Performance-Focused NVMe Hardware Architecture HighPoint Manufactures the industry’s fastest NVMe storage and connectivity solutions. This is made possible by our unique NVMe Hardware Architecture, which was designed to fully exploit the capabilities of high-performance computing platforms and state of the art PCIe Switch technology. HighPoint’s NVMe RAID HBAs and Enclosures are designed to operate independent of the host hardware platform, and are capable of allocating up to x4 dedicated lanes to each NVMe SSD. Unlike most of the competition, our NVMe storage and connectivity solutions can perform optimally in almost any computing environment, as they are not tied to a specific chipset, processor type, application or operating system. Modern PCIe Switch Chipsets can support up to 48 devices and provide as many as 32 dedicated PCIe lanes. While this may seem like overkill for a 4 or 8-port HBA, but it enables our products to excel in any industry standard server or workstation, and does not depend on a motherboard or software-based PCIe management solution such as VROC. Lane allocation is handled dynamically, and can be assigned on the fly as the need arises.

NVMe SSDs are classified based on their endurance ratings, performance capabilities, and serviceability. Though there is some overlap, each class is best matched with a specific set of target applications. To determine which SSD is right for your application, you will need to know the basics of the three primary classes of NVMe media; Client, DC and Enterprise. Client class M.2 media is the most common type of NVMe storage, and is typically used to boost the performance of modern workstation and server platforms; often serving as the platform’s boot volume. They are also ideal for a targeted application, such as a media post-production project, or high-speed data transfer for a server or workstation environment. Enterprise NVMe storage is exactly as its name implies – designed for use with enterprise grade business servers that require maximum performance and storage capacity. They utilize the industry-standard 2.5” form factor, and can be easily integrated into large-scale servers and rackmount chassis. DC, datacenter, class NVMe storage is relatively new to the market and is ideal for specialized high-speed workflows that require a compact, high-density storage solution, such as an AI server or AV application. They provide an excellent mix of client and enterprise class features. We breakdown some of the basics below. Client Class (M.2) – Most M.2 NVMe SSDs fall into the Client category. Due to their endurance characteristics (relating to both transfer I/O and lifespan), Client class SSDs are not recommended for applications that involve long-term, long-duration I/O. The SLC and TLC NAND combination employed by this type of media delivers a high level of random performance (both read and write), with solid sequential performance for smaller workloads. However, when the size of the transfer exceeded the size of the SLC cache, performance can drop drastically, from 5000+MB/s to 2000MB/s, or even sub 1000MB/s, depending on the make & model of the SSD in question. In addition, client class SSDs have shorter lifespans. Drive Endurance is typically measured in TBW (total bytes written), as opposed to DWPD (disk writes per day), which is associated with DC and Enterprise class media. DC (Datacenter) Class (E1.S, M.2, U.2/U.3) – DC class NVMe SSDs represent an ideal middle-ground between Client and Enterprise class media. Their endurance ratings are solid; both in terms of long-duration sequential transfer capability and lifespan/reliability, which are typically between 1 and DWPD (disk writes per day). Their overall performance characteristics are superior to Client SSDs, but still lower than that of Enterprise media. Enterprise Class (U.2/U.3) – Currently, Enterprise class NVMe media is exclusively either a 2.5” U.2 /U.3 SSD, or less commonly an E3.S drive. Enterprise NVMe media delivers the highest levels of performance and endurance/reliability. They deliver excellent random and sequential I/O and impose little to no penalty for extended workflows. Enterprise class storage is designed to operate 24/7/365. Like DC Class media, lifespan is measured in DWPD; typically, between 1 and 3, but those with higher ratings are available. So, which Class is right for me? For most applications that require storage capable of delivering consistent, high-level of sustained write performance over extended I/O sessions, we would strongly recommend considering DC class media. Though ultimately not as fast as Enterprise class media, DC class SSDs are capable of delivering a much higher level of sustained write performance than their client-class counterparts, and were designed to excel in 24/7 workflows. DC class E1.S media have endurance ratings comparable to U.2/U.3 SSDs, ranging from 1 to 3 DWPD (disk writes per day), depending on the throughput and capacity requirements. HighPoint NVMe AICs can be used to optimize the performance and capacity of DC-class storage configurations; 4 and 8-Channel models provide x16 lanes of dedicated PCIe Gen4 host bandwidth, with a full x4 lanes available for each SSD. Our high-port count NVMe AICs can accommodate up to eight 30TB DC-Class SSDs (U.2/U.3); that’s 240TB of storage from a single PCIe device! Importantly, DC class NVMe SSDs are now available in the E1.S form factor. Sized similarly to 22110 M.2 media, E1.S SSDs are capable of delivering even higher levels of sustained long-duration write performance, and while less dense than U.2/U.3 media, are available with up to 8TB of capacity. HighPoint Rocket Series NVMe AICs Support DC-Class SSDs HighPoint offers two product lines suitable for DC class media; NVMe AICs and NVMe RAID AICs: Rocket 1xxx Series NVMe AICs Rocket 1500 and 1000 series PCIe Gen4 NVMe AICs can be easily integrated into a wide range of high-performance platforms. They are easy to install and administer, and are compatible with nearly any modern server or workstation. Rocket series NVMe AICs are supported natively by all current operating systems (Linux, Windows, macOS, etc.) and require no additional software (neither a device driver or management suite). They are capable of supporting single disks or RAID configurations via the OS’s standard storage utilities or common SDS applications (software defined storage). SSD7xxx Series NVMe RAID AICs SSD7749, 7500 and 7000 series NVMe RAID AICs are designed for customers that need a more specialized solution (a specific performance target, platform or application). SSD7xxx series AICs are powered by HighPoint’s industry-proven RAID stack, which enables them to support one or more RAID 0, 1, or 10 arrays alongside individual SSDs. SSD7500 and SSD7749 series AICs are also capable of supporting bootable configurations. A comprehensive suite of pre-OS and OS level RAID and storage management interfaces are available for SSD series AICs, including UEFI and BIOS utilities, an in-depth CLI (command line interface), and a web-based management tool (WebGUI) which features our SHI solution (Storage Health Inspector), which can be used to monitor and configure temperature thresholds, and monitor the operation status and endurance of NVMe media in real-time via S.M.A.R.T. technology. New! Double-Wide NVMe AICs Our new line of SSD7749 series NVMe AICs were designed specifically for high-end industrial workflows, such as AI servers and AV applications, and are capable of supporting up to 8 DC class PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSDs. Their unique double-wide PCIe architecture was selected for the extra space it provides. Roughly the same size and shape as a high-end GPU, SSD7749 series AICs feature a unique tool-less SSD loading system and powerful, purpose-engineered NVMe cooling system designed to keep the risk of thermal throttling at bay. Learn More: Double-Wide Cooling Solution Dual-Width NVMe RAID AIC Rocket 1xxx Series NVMe AIC SSD7xxx Series NVMe RAID AIC

In general, E1.S are currently available in four form-factors; 5.9mm 9.5mm, 15mm, and 25mm– these classifications could be thought of as “sizes”, and refer to the thickness of the SSD. This is notably different from M.2 media, which is classified by width and length. For example, “2280” represents an M.2 SSD that is 22mm wide, and 80mm long). Additional sizes, such as KIOXIA’s 8mm form-factor (which utilize compact heat spreaders) are also available, but these are less common. HighPoint’s double-wide SSD7749E E1.S NVMe AICs are capable of supporting the most common varieties of E1.S media – 9.5mm and 15mm. A summary of the 4 primary E1.S form-factors is outlined below. 25mm models are equipped with heat spreaders, and are typically designed for use with large rack mount servers, and not AICs or on-board (direct to motherboard) applications 15mm models are typically equipped with a heat sink, and were designed for enterprise server applications, and are compliant with 1U and 2U form-factor rackmount chassis. The SSD7749E NVMe AICs are capable of supporting up to four SSDs of this type, installed into “every-other” NVMe slot (this provides ample clearance for each SSD’s heat sink). 9.5mm models are the most common form of E1.S SSD, and are similar in size to M.2 and E1.L drives (comparable to the 22110 form-factor). SSD7749E NVMe AICs can support up to eight 9.5mm SSDs. 5.9mm models are the “thinnest” variety of E1.S media, yet are still sized similarly to 22110 form-factor M.2 SSDs (length of 112mm vs. 110mm). They are not equipped with any cooling apparatus, are often marketed for use as “boot drives” for server and workstation applications, and are typically used in single-drive configurations. Bandwidth and Capacity Characteristics Though the E1.S standard supports up to x8 lanes per device, most SSDs are available with x4 standard lanes. The largest E1.S SSDs in terms of capacity, at the time of this writing (May 2023), are approximately 8TB in size; similar to the largest M.2 models on the market. However, unlike M.2 media, which has seemingly been capped at the 8TB mark, E1.S media will be available in larger sizes, perhaps as large as 16TB, before the end of the year. E1.S NVMe AICs The SSD7749E NVMe RAID AIC was designed for high-density, performance-hungry industrial and media applications, and is capable of supporting up to eight 9.5mm or four 15mm E1.S NVMe SSDs. Both products utilize our innovative dual-wide AIC architecture and are fully enclosed by a robust, aluminum casing, similar to high-end GPUs, which protects the E1.S media and sensitive controller hardware from the working environment. The casing incorporates two major innovations, a novel tool-less SSD loading system designed to streamline installation and service workflows, and an entirely new, purpose-built NVMe cooling system capable of keeping temperatures in check at all times, even under strenuous 24/7 workloads. Learn More: Double-Wide Cooling Solution SSD7749E 8-Channel E1.S PCIe Gen4 NVMe RAID AIC

HighPoint NVMe RAID Solutions feature unique, custom-designed cooling solutions built to combat the threat of thermal throttling. HighPoint manufacturers the industry’s fastest NVMe RAID solutions. A lone PCIe Gen4 SSD series NVMe RAID HBA is capable of delivering up to 28,000MB/s of transfer bandwidth; the absolute maximum possible via a single Gen4 x16 PCIe slot. Though hitting this 28K barrier is impressive on its own right, delivering this level of performance, in a sustained fashion over prolonged periods of time, is another matter entirely. This is where HighPoint NVMe solutions truly shine. However, the secret to HighPoint’s unbeatable sustained transfer performance is more than skin deep. One key factor that many tend to overlook is our advanced NVMe cooling technology. Before HighPoint even entered the NVMe marketplace, we studied the ins-and-outs of the storage media. Undeniably fast, NVMe media puts all other contemporary storage interfaces to shame if one focuses purely on data transfer. An off-the-shelf Gen4 M.2 SSD can deliver upwards of 7000MB/s – over 3 times faster than enterprise class SAS SSDs costing hundreds to thousands more! However, this prodigious performance capability comes with one major caveat; waste heat. NVMe media can produce a tremendous amount of waste heat under load. Most NVMe SSDs were designed to address this risk to protect the integrity of their hardware, and will automatically handicap their transfer throughput when their temperature threshold has been crossed; a technique known as “thermal throttling”. While thermal throttling can dramatically lower the transfer capabilities of a single SSD, the results can be truly detrimental when applied to an entire RAID array. As such, combatting the threat of Thermal Throttling is an essential component of a successful NVMe RAID storage solution. HighPoint designed our NVMe product lines to address this problem head on, starting on day 1. Introducing Storage Health Inspector: a Complete Hardware & Software Monitoring Solution for NVMe RAID Storage The ultimate goal of an “Intelligent” NVMe cooling system is not to simply deliver superior hardware; it should be a hardware and software package; a true solution for our customers. In keeping with this vision, the unique cooling apparatus associated with each of our NVMe HBA product lines now merge seamlessly with our software management and monitoring suites, via HighPoint SHI technology. SHI, short for Storage Health Inspector, is a critical element of the WebGUI and CLI software utilities, and is ideal applications that depend on NVMe media. SHI provides wealth of information about the hosted NVMe SSDs, and enables administrators to instantly asses the temperature and operational status of each individual drive. SHI is not a static management interface. The SMART monitoring capabilities are compatible with any industry standard NVMe SSD, and report data in real time. Administrators can configure the Event Log and Alert-Email Notification features to correspond with each target application. Of key importance, SHI provides customizable temperature thresholds which can be adjusted to exactly match each manufacturer’s recommended specifications, to ensure storage configuration operate at peak performance, free from the risk of thermal throttling. First Generation Cooling System: Fully enclosed aluminum casing (SSD7101A-1) Out first-generation cooling system is highly-effective, if rather straightforward. The SSD7101A-1 was first released in 2017, and featured a fully sealed all-aluminum enclosure that doubled as a heat-sink, and sported an integrated cooling fan and thermal padding. Similar in concept to a GPU, this system is easily able to cool 4 M.2 SSDs and the product’s critical controller componentry under load, even on a grueling 24/7 schedule. However, in retrospect, the unit is relatively bulky for a 4-disk solution, isn’t particularly quiet or energy efficient, and is more labor intensive when it comes to adding/removing M.2 media. This left room for some improvement in future designs. Second Generation Cooling System: High-Port-Count NVMe Solutions Our second-generation cooling system was designed for use with our first-gen PCIe 3.0 High-Port-Count NVMe RAID controllers, namely the SSD7140. The HBA directly housed up to 8 M.2 SSDs in a form factor that is only slightly longer than high-end GPU’s of the day. Despite this, we realized a fully enclosed aluminum case was too unwieldly for a card of this size. Instead, we opted for a full-length anodized aluminum heatsink with a pair of integrated low-noise cooling fans and a layer of thermal padding that makes direct contact with the M.2 media. The single heatsink/fan unit was a boon for matters of serviceability; it could be removed as a single piece, and greatly simplified the installation process. This design also proved to be very effective in real world workflows – it was the first unit that allowed provided fan-control settings out of the box (via the CLI or WebGUI management software) and was able to keep the controller’s innards and all eight M.2 SSDs within their temperature thresholds even under sustained load. The current version of this product, the SSD7140A, sports an improved version of this system, which was first designed for our PCIe Gen4 product line. Third Generation Cooling-System; “Silent-Running” Designed to address concerns raised by HD Media Professionals, our third-generation cooling-system opted for a “passive/active” approach. Our SSD7104, SSD7202 and SSD7204 products were designed for applications that demand a silent work environment, and by default, are equipped with fan-less “passive” cooling systems. This design incorporates a full-length anodized aluminum heat sink with thermal padding. This type of cooling solution is very effective when deployed into off-the-shelf media workstations, such as the 2019 Mac Pro and HP’s “Z” line. These systems are equipped with high-end cooling systems designed to address workflows that involve a large number of PCIe devices (such as a capture card, multiple GPUs, ethernet adapter + a PCIe based storage solution). Customers that need a more “active” approach can simply relace the default system with our heat-sink + cooling fan combo, which is available as a plug-in accessory. These designs incorporate the low-decibel cooling fans originally developed for the SSD7140x, and are fully compatible with the WebGUI/CLI’s fan control features. This design is ideal for custom-built workstation and server platforms that employ conventional, off-the-shelf chassis cooling systems. Fourth Generation Cooling-System; “Low-Noise Hyper-Cooling” Our fourth-generation system was introduced for the SSD7540 PCIe Gen4 x16 8-Channel SSD7540 M.2 RAID controller. Dubbed “Low-noise Hyper-Cooling”, this system is an upgraded, refine version of our 2nd generation system, which was originally developed for the 8-port PCIe Gen3 SSD7140 HBA. Low-Noise Hyper-Cooling does exactly as its name implies; it is capable of shielding up to 8 PCIe Gen4 M.2 NVMe SSDs from the threat of thermal throttling under full-load on a 24/7/365 working schedule without injecting unwanted noise into the working environment. It features full fan control (including the option to fully disable the fan), and is designed to work in conjunction with HighPoint’s SHI software solution (Storage Health Inspector), which enables administrators to closely monitor, log and manage the health, temperature and operational status of each individual NVMe SSD. The system features a full-length anodized aluminum fan with integrated low-decibel cooling fans and thermal padding, and can be easily removed and reinstalled by anyone handy with a common screw driver. The unit requires minimal power, and draws current directly from the HBA via a discreet power cable. Fifth Generation Cooling-System: SSD7749 Series Datacenter Class NVMe RAID HBAs The SSD7749 series feature our fifth-generation NVMe cooling solution. Unlike our previous series, which were based on existing technology, albeit perfected for NVMe applications, this revolutionary cooling solution was designed to approach NVMe technology from an entirely new perspective. The SSD7749 series are not only the fastest NVMe solutions in today’s marketplace, they are the most accessible. The cooling system is an integral part of the HBA architecture, and is incorporated directly into the E1.S/M.2 loading system and HBA chassis itself. Unlike previous models, the SSD7749 series aluminum chassis does not need to be removed in order to access NVMe media. Instead, the cooling-system’s dual-fan unit doubles as “vault” door, which swings up and away from the chassis to expose the SSD slots at the press of a switch. The system is entirely toolless in nature, and enables administrators to install NVMe media in a cartridge like style – SSDs can be simply installed and ejected by hand, and secured to the HBA using the “vault” door. The dual, low-decibel fans positioned at the far end of the SSD7749E’s aluminum casing were designed to draw in high volumes of cool air from within the system chassis, and funnel it towards the E1.S media and centrally mounted heat sink. Cool air is equally distributed through the interior of the HBA, and any remaining waste heat is immediately expelled via the vented bracket to the outside world. As with previous systems, it is designed to work in tandem with the HighPoint SHI solution via the WebGUI and CLI management suites, and features full fan control.

HighPoint has been a driving force behind the NVMe storage revolution since the introduction of our groundbreaking SSD7101A-1 M.2 RAID controller, back in 2017. We now manufacture the industry’s most diverse selection of NVMe RAID storage and connectivity solutions. Our SSD series PCIe controller cards are available with 2 to 8 independent NVMe device ports, deliver dedicated x16 lanes of host bandwidth for PCIe Gen4 and Gen3 applications, and are available for every form factor and use case imaginable. We’ve recently introduced a new line of E1.S solutions, starting with the launch of the revolutionary SSD7749E. E1.S? How does this new tech compare to M.2 or U.2? By now, most of you should be familiar with M.2 and U.2/U.2 NVMe technology and their corresponding SSD form factors. NVMe based storage devices and HBA/controller solutions are now so widespread, that they can claim “default” status for most new computing platforms. However, each of these interfaces has its ups and downs, and both are best suited for a relatively narrow set of target applications. M.2 SSDs are compact, affordable, easy to integrate and deliver blazing fast random I/O transfers. As such, they are commonly employed as boot-drives for higher-end PCs and as work-space for performance hungry software applications such as media post production, 3D-design and rendering, and industrial workflows. However, as “client” media, the majority of M.2 SSDs suitable for this type of application are capped at 4TB in size, can dramatically bottleneck performance as available capacity drops, were not designed for sustained 24/7 operation, and tend to have relatively short lifespans when compared to other classes of NVMe media. U.2/U.3 SSDs were designed for use with High-End Workstations, AI Platforms, Data Centers and Hyperscale servers. U.2/U.3 media deliver an excellent blend of random and sustained read/write performance, are available with 30TB of capacity, utilize the industry standard 2.5” driver form factor, and offer enterprise grade serviceability and reliability via features such as hot-swap and power-loss-protection (PLP). However, U.2/U.3 media is costly, and the 2.5” form factor is ill suited for the vast majority of Edge and Industrial computing platforms, which tend to require compact and rugged storage solutions. E1.S, in contrast, is a relatively new entry in the established NVMe technology ecosystem. Although the interface and associated form-factors first emerged several years ago, it wasn’t until the second half of 2022 when the leading NVMe vendors started rolling out official E1.S product lines. E1.S aims to be the best of both worlds; offer the key advantages of the most common NVMe archetypes; M.2 and U.2, with none of the drawbacks. E1.S – The best of Both Worlds E1.S technology was envisioned to deliver the key features of both M.2 and U.2; namely, compact form factor, balanced performance, and enterprise reliability, all available at a reasonable price point. Often classified as “DC” (datacenter) class storage media, E1.S drives utilize a compact 22110 M.2-like form factor but have performance characteristics much closer to U.2/U.3 media, and do not experience the performance bottlenecks associated with client M.2 SSDs, such as speed degradation during sustained write transfers. Today’s largest E1.S SSDs are 8TB in size, but this is not a limitation of the form factor itself – larger drives will become available as more E1.S solutions are deployed. E1.S SSDs also feature long-life spans, which like U.2/U.3 media, is measured in DWPD (disk writes per day). HighPoint’s revolutionary SSD7749E E1.S NVMe RAID HBA was designed to take full advantage of this feature set, and can be easily integrated into any platform that can support a double-wide PCIe controller. In fact, no other E1.S-based storage solution comes close. Ideal for Data-Intensive, write-heavy applications, the SSD7749E was designed for workflows that demand a compact, easily integrated high-density RAID storage solution with blistering PCIe Gen4 x16 performance and enterprise class 24/7 reliability. It can directly host up to eight 9.5mm E1.S SSDs at speeds up to 28,000MB/s, yet is no larger than a modern PCIe graphics adapter, and can be easily integrated into industry-standard computing platforms with a free PCIe 4.0 x16 slot. Learn More…

On the lookout for a DC Class NVMe RAID Solution that doesn’t require a 2.5” drive enclosure? HighPoint’s SSD7749E may be just what you need. HighPoint’s SSD7749E RAID controller enables administrators to easily configure over 60TB of high-performance RAID storage, suitable for server-grade applications, using handful of off-the-shelf DC-class E1.S SSDs. The SSD7749E is a close cousin to our proven SSD7540 8-Channel M.2 PCIe Gen4 RAID HBA. Like the SSD7540, the SSD7749E is a compact, high-performance, single-device storage solution capable of supporting up to 8 NVMe SSDs in a tidy, all-in-one package.Administrators can now easily integrate over 60TB of DC class NVMe RAID storage into any platform with a free PCIe 4.0 x16 slot! PCIe Gen4 Performance and Enterprise Class Reliability in a Simple AIC Package While both M.2 and E1.S media are highly reliable, DC (datacenter) class E1.S NVMe SSDs provide a variety of advanced features designed to further enhance the integrity of storage configurations while streamlining serviceability. Power Loss Protection (known as PLP in shorthand) helps mitigate the risk of losing in-transit data during a power outage or PSU failure. SSDs that support PLP utilize a bank of capacitors to flush data stored in the cache-NAND to permanent flash memory when the host system suddenly loses power. Cross-Sync RAID Technology Delivers over 100TB of DC-Class Storage Capacity Customers that have a particularly stringent performance or capacity target can use the SSD7749E’s Cross-Sync RAID technology to double the device channel count and scale available PCIe bandwidth up to 32 lanes. This enables a pair of SSD7749E HBAs to deliver upwards of 55,000MB/s of transfer speed while supporting over 100TB of DC class storage. Learn More.. Versatile RAID Support HighPoint’s SSD7749E is powered by HighPoint’s industry leading NVMe RAID technology, which enables administrators to easily configure RAID 0, 1 or 10 configurations via a comprehensive suite of Pre-OS and OS-Level management interfaces for Linux and Windows platforms. However, the SSD7749E is equally well suited for applications that rely Software Defined Storage suites. E1.S NVMe SSDs hosted by the HBA are automatically presented to the operating system as available disks – no “JBOD” configuration or pre-OS prep work is required. The SSD7749E’s Advanced Cooling System can Eliminate the Risk of Thermal Throttling The SSD7749E’sadvanced cooling system was designed to address the considerable waste heat generated by PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSDs under load. Most Gen4 SSDs are designed to “throttle” back performance in an effort to safeguard the hardware when a temperature threshold is breeched. While thermal throttling can dramatically lower the transfer capabilities of a single SSD, the results can be drastic when applied to an entire RAID array. Combating this heat is one of the prime directives of an effective PCIe Gen4 NVMe RAID solution, and HighPoint cut no corners when designing the SSD7749E. The unique HBA architecture incorporates an advanced cooling system which combines a full-length anodized aluminum case with integrated heat sinks supplemented with a pair of ultra-durable, low-decibel fans. This compact, efficient solution fully encases and insulates the E1.S media, and rapidly transfers waste heat away from critical componentry without injecting excessive noise into the work environment. This system system was designed to work in conjunction with the SSD7749E’s versatile management package. The SHI (Storage Health Inspector) management interface, allows administrators to check the operating status and temperature of each NVMe SSD in real-time, via S.M.A.R.T. technology, and configure temperature thresholds suitable for each SSD model in order to avoid the risk of thermal throttling. Learn More about HighPoint’s revolutionary SSD7749E E1.S NVMe RAID HBA.