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.

The “Monster Machine” Easily Edits 10+ Streams of RAW 8K Video with over 27GB/s of Transfer Performance! AKIBA PC Hotline recently tested Tsukumo's BTO PC WA9A-D223/WB Workstation Platform equipped with HighPoint’s SSD7540 and eight Samsung 990PRO 2TB M.2 NVMe SSDs. The Tsukumo workstation is powered by an AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX CPU, 256GB of RAM and a GeForce RTX3090 GPU. The platform can support up to seven PCIe 4.0 devices at a full x16 lanes – this enabled the SSD7540 and RTX30890 to operate at full speed with minimal latency. The SSD7540 RAID HBA directly hosted all eight 990PRO SSDs, which were configured into a single 16TB RAID 0 array that delivered read transfers of nearly 28,000MB/s, with write performance in excess of 25,000MB/s! “…when measured with CrystalDiskMark, the speed is astonishing, with a maximum read speed of 27.8 GB / s and a maximum write speed of 25.7 GB / s...” AKIBA PC Hotline This formidable combination is ideal for tackling Ultra-HD media editing workflows, and can easily handle 10 simultaneous RAW 8K streams using either Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve 18. Full Review Learn More about HighPoint’s SSD7540 PCIe Gen4 x16 8-Port M.2 NVMe RAID Controller

PCIe Gen4 is now mainstream, and Gen5 is just around the corner. So why are PCIe Gen3 SSDs still so prevalent? While it is true that PCIe Gen4 M.2 SSDs deliver a very high level of read and random I/O performance, write performance will inevitably degrade over time. Performance can drop sharply after the initial write session; from 5000+ MB/s to the 2000MB/s range, after only using 10% of available capacity; around 100 to perhaps 200MB/s faster than Gen3 SSDs of the same class. Now, it’s worth pointing out that for general use, or say an NVMe configuration designed to support a specific piece of software or utility, this may not even be considered a penalty. These kinds of applications benefit from reduced access times and superior random I/O capabilities. Gen 4 SSDs are an ideal match. That said, many business, industrial, R&D and scientific applications prioritize sustained write performance, and tend to need a lot of storage capacity (a lot of SSDs in other words). They depend on solutions capable of delivering consistent levels of transfer speed over prolonged periods of time. Databases, online transaction servers, IOT solutions, security systems – all of these often run around the clock, and require predictable, repeatable transfer bandwidth to function optimally. Simply put, for such applications, the majority of commercially available Gen4 SSDs offer no major performance benefits over Gen3 models. And, when you take cost and capacity into consideration, some PCIe Gen3 SSDs may in fact, be a better overall solution for these environments. Getting the most bang for your buck: Gen4 Controller + Gen 3 Media Although on the surface, it may seem like and odd pairing; using “slower” drives with a “faster” controller, coupling Gen3 NVMe SSDs with a Gen4 NVMe controller is actually rather common. Initially, many invested in Gen4 controllers as a future-proof solution. However, early adopters quickly realized this combination allowed them to fully utilize Gen3 NVMe SSDs. 14,000MB/s wasn’t just a best-case scenario, it was easily obtained due to PCIe host bandwidth upgrade, especially if you opted for an 8-port controller, such as our SSD7540. In short, depending on your application and the type and capacity of NVMe SSD you settle on, the performance tradeoff is minimal. In contrast, the cost savings can be considerable – you can save 30% or more, per SSD of the same capacity if you simply opt for the Gen3 “downgrade”. Several classes of NVMe media stand out in particular – datacenter, server and NAS class M.2 SSDs. They combine solid long-term sustained write performance with a high level of storage capacity, relative to M.2 media (up to 4TB). In addition, many model lines benefit from enterprise level features, such as PLP (power loss protection), and are long-lived, with operational lifespans measured in disks-writes-per-day (DWPD), rather than the universal total-bytes-written (TBW). As suggested by their class designations, PCIe Gen3 Datacenter and NAS class M.2 SSDs were developed for business and industrial server applications. Although often marketed as “caching” solutions, they are quite capable of functioning as actual storage devices, and are often a cost-effective and compact alternative to U.2/U.3 based solutions. Based on extensive benchmark sessions that have been conducted using a variety of test platforms, we’ve determined NAS and Datacenter class SSDs are capable of maintaining, on average, 1800MB/s of transfer performance, even after 90% of available capacity has been used. Additionally, this transfer rate remains consistent whether the SSDs are used singularly or configured into RAID arrays.

HighPoint’s LACS 2.0 Solution Makes Linux Driver Updates a Seamless Experience! HighPoint’s original Linux Auto-Compile service (LACS1.0) was designed to streamline the device driver installation process for Linux distributions. The administrator needed only install the open-source package a single time (after the product has been physically installed). Although administrators would still need to request a new open-source package if the target application or platform required a new a kernel or version of a Linux distribution, manual driver compilation was no longer required for general updates. LACS2.0 represents a huge leap forward in terms of serviceability. As with LACS1.0, the LACS2.0 package need only be installed once. However, unlike LACS, LACS2.0 does not require that an administrator ever compile a new driver manually, nor contact a support representative for a new open-source download. In fact, it requires very little in the way of administration whatsoever. Essentially, all subsequent updates will be handled automatically, and require zero user intervention. For the vast majority of customers, LACS2.0 experience is identical to that of an embedded solution; entirely transparent to its users. The system and Linux distribution can be updated as needed, without fear of excessive downtime, or losing access to critical storage assets. This is all made possible by the LACS2.0’s refined infrastructure. Benefits of LACS2.0 Driver Updates are Automated & seamless after 1st installation The LACS2.0 Server maintains a 24/7 Continuous and Rigorous checking system, which is combined with compatibility validation for new Linux distributions. LACS2.0 monitors the status of supported Linux distributions and the state of the Linux Kernel to ensure compatibility. Secure Rollback feature ensures Data and Boot Volume remains accessible: if a driver is found to be incompatible with a kernel/distribution update, the system will be rebooted to the last known working kernel to ensure everything remains up and running. Supports a wide variety of Linux Distributions: Centos, Debian, Fedora, RHEL, ROCKY Linux, and Ubuntu distributions Backport Driver Development: HighPoint can Backport driver support in just days, vs. months waiting for a Linux distribution to incorporate an embedded driver How LACS 2.0 Works LACS2.0 will automatically compile a new driver against the active kernel every time the host platform is rebooted. If the system attempts to reboot into a kernel that is not supported by the current driver (following an automated update, for example), LACS2.0 will initiate the secure Rollback feature, and boot the system using the last known stable kernel in order to ensure the system remains online and accessible. The solution will then automatically connect to an LACS2.0 server and download the required update, recompile a compatible driver, then boot into the new kernel. In the event thatLACS2.0 is unable to compile a new driver, it will also initiate the secure rollback feature to keep the system up and running, and then notify the LACS2.0 Engineering Team that an Open-Source driver update is required. Once this update has been compiled and verified, it will be uploaded to the LACS2.0 servers. Custom Development for Project Customers Back Port Service: The LACS2.0 Engineering team can develop open-source packages or bootable binary drivers for a specific distribution or kernel version, for Project Customers. This service can result in a fully tested, read Incorporate Driver into ISO Image: The LACS2.0 Engineering team can incorporate device drivers directly into a custom-built ISO image, ready for installation to a bootable drive or RAID configuration hosted by HighPoint NVMe/SAS/SATA RAID controller or enclosure solution. Learn More about LACS2.0 Engineering Services Resources: Click on the following links to access the LACS2.0 info page for the following Linux Distributions: Centos Debian Fedora RHEL ROCKY Ubuntu

Hyper-V is a Microsoft hardware virtualization solution (AKA Virtual Machine platform). Designed primarily for use with clients that require Windows-based systems, Hyper V enables an administrator to install multiple, distinct instances of an operating system (known as Virtual Machine, or VM for short) to a central server, which the clients can then access via a Cloud Service. Hyper-V enables each VM to emulate the functions of a physical computing system (such as a business laptop running Windows 11, or media workstation running Windows 10). Our VDI applications article covers virtualization solutions in more detail BRD6200 Series: Ideal NVMe RAID Storage for VM Platforms FnL BRD6200 AIC drives are natively supported by all major VM platforms, including Microsoft Hyper-V. The built-in boot capability, driverless installation and an IOP RAID engine with integrated RAID 0 and 1 support are ideal features for virtualization solutions. FnL BRD6200 Series NVMe AIC RAID drives are available with up to 16TB of storage capacity, which can easily host a large number of Virtual Machines installations and software suites required to emulate a wide range of hardware platforms. In addition, BRD6200AIC drives are capable of delivering excellent random I/O performance, especially when equipped with DC-Class M.2 SSD’s. To illustrate this, we tested the BRD6202PB with a Hyper-V server hosting three Windows 10 VMs, and one Ubuntu Server VM. Each Windows VM was benchmarked using CrystalDiskMark 64. FIO was used to benchmark the Ubuntu VM. The BRD6202PB AIC Drive was configured as RAID 0 arrays in order to maximize transfer throughput. Test Platform: Samsung 980PRO 1TB (2x configured as RAID 0) / ASUS WS X299 (Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-7900X CPU @3.30GHz / 32GB) BRD6202 (Single VM Performance) BRD6202: (All 4 VMs operating simultaneously) As shown above, both sequential and random performance results were strong, even when all four VM’s were running simultaneously.

Storage aggregation, aka disk aggregation, is a method of combining multiple independent disks (physical SSDs or hard drives, or partitions thereof), into a single logical disk, either via a hardware device, such as a RAID controller, or software driver or application, such Software Defined Storage suite (VMware vSAN, Linux CEPH), with the goal of maximizing transfer performance and/or storage capacity, and data reliability (redundancy). Storage aggregation solutions may incorporate one or more storage/connectivity devices, such as a PCIe HBA (host bus adapter) or AIC (add in card). Such devices can be used in conjunction with or the host platforms built-in storage interfaces, or configured to support an independent storage pool. NVMe Media can maximize the potential of Storage Aggregation Technology Although most storage applications benefit from aggregation solutions, modern computing platforms that can make use of NVMe media will experience the greatest gains from this technology. Unlike SAS/SATA storage devices, NVMe media is designed to interface directly with the host platforms central processor (or processors), via the PCIe interface. This direct to CPU design minimizes access times and delivers transfer speeds that are close to theoretical limits of PCIe connectivity. HighPoint’s novel hardware design pushes the performance envelop even farther, and enables NVMe media to fully utilize available host bandwidth for maximum throughput. The performance-focused architecture enables administrators to aggregate SSDs hosted by one or more controllers, to deliver upwards of 55,000MB/s of transfer bandwidth! HighPoint Disk Aggregation Solutions for NVMe Applications HighPoint NVMe RAID AICs and HBAs are ideal platforms for storage aggregation solutions due to the performance-focused PCB hardware architecture, versatile port configurations, and compact form factor. High-Performance PCB architecture First and foremost is the PCB design. HighPoint’s field-proven NVMe hardware architecture enables SSD7000/7500 and Rocket 1000/1500 controller cards to allocate up to x4 lanes per NVMe device port; this ensures that all x8 or x16 lanes worth of bandwidth are available at all times. This is a key advantage of HighPoint NVMe solutions. PCIe bandwidth is assigned automatically, and can be adjusted on the fly, by the controller itself; it does not require any oversight by the host platform, unlike solutions that rely on bifurcation. This design also allows high-port count controllers, such as the 8-port SSD7540, to reassign unused bandwidth to occupied device ports. Due to PCIe host interface design, which limits bandwidth to x16 planes per PCIe device, most 8-port NVMe controllers hardwire x2 lanes to each device port. Unless all ports are occupied, such cards will be unable to deliver maximum throughput. However, HighPoint AICs and HBAs can assign up to 4x lanes if any bandwidth remains unallocated; this enables the controllers to deliver up to 14,000MB/s (PCIe Gen3) and 28,000MB/s (PCIe Gen4) with as little as 4 SSDs High-Port Count AIC/HBA Solutions HighPoint NVMe RAID AICs and connectivity HBAs can host up to 8 individual NVMe SSDs. The forementioned PCB architecture is ideal for customers looking for a scalable solution. NVMe SSDs can be added as the need for more capacity or performance arises. Our M.2 models are ideal for compact computing, as they directly host the NVMe media – no additional hardware is required. Our U.2/U.3 series can be quickly configured to support industry standard sever and rackmount platforms equipped with a variety of 2.5” drive bays, mobile racks or backplanes via a selection of cabling accessories. Compact Form Factor All HighPoint NVMe AICs and HBAs utilize compact PCB architecture. They are no larger than a standard video card, can be easily installed into industry standard server and workstation platforms with a free PCIe 3.0 or 4.0 slot with the corresponding lane count (x8 or x16). In fact, the single-width design enables most platforms to host two or more controller cards, which can be configured to operate independently, or aggregated to function as a single large pool of NVMe storage ( In addition, Half-height (low-profile) options are available for custom built chassis, mini-PCs and rackmount applications.

HighPoint’s universal Web-based graphical management suite (aka WebGUI) now includes a built-in diagnostic tool referred to as “1-Click”. 1-Click was designed to expedite the support process between customers and our FAE/support Department. It simplifies information collection for troubleshooting and support inquiries. Instead of following a series of guides and initiating multiple back-and-forth sessions with our FAE/Support Department, customers can gather all necessary information with the simple click of a button. You no longer need to manually assemble a collection of screenshots, logs and status reports when submitting support inquiries. 1-click enables the interface to gather all necessary hardware, software and storage configuration data and compile it into a single file, which can be transmitted directly to our FAE Team via our Online Support Portal. You can access this feature by selecting the “Diagnostic” option under the Help tab: The Diagnostic View will display a summary about the system platform (operating system, general hardware profile, and HighPoint product information). You can save this information (which also includes a copy of the Current Event Log) by clicking the “Save Logs” button. The WebGUI will provide the path of the saved file under “Logs Location” (shown above). This file can be included with any Support or Troubleshooting inquiry submitted to our Support Department or FAE Team.