Revolutionising high-density AICs with the first 16x M.2 port single-sided NVMe RAID AIC

HighPoint has unveiled the industry's first 16x M.2 Ports NVMe RAID AIC, the SSD7749M2. Featuring an unprecedented 16 independent M.2 device channels and armed with its proven PCIe Gen4 Switch Architecture and NVMe cooling technology, this RAID AICs can deliver 28GB/s of transfer throughput while supporting an incredible 128TB of client-class NVMe storage, attributes that are particularly advantageous for AI-driven workflows that need high-speed storage solutions capable of rapidly processing vast quantities of data. The compact, professional-grade PCIe AIC storage solution can be easily integrated into any x86 workstation or server platform capable of supporting modern dual-width GPUs and is equipped with a comprehensive suite of management and monitoring tools designed to optimise and streamline the platform NVMe storage ecosystem.

Innovative, dual-sided, vertically aligned M.2 loading trays can directly host up to 16 2280 form factor M.2 SSDs utilising only one side of the PCB. This unique architecture results in an impressively slim hardware footprint, with a form factor similar to that of a high-end dual-width GPU. The 16 device channels can operate independently or concurrently, allowing the device to support an astonishing 128TB of M.2 storage, with the potential to scale up to 256TB shortly, all from a single PCIe slot.

To ensure each SSD operates and performs optimally, the AIC includes the company's proven x48 lane PCIe Switching Technology, which allocates a dedicated x16 lanes of upstream bandwidth (connection to the host platform) and x2 lanes of dedicated downstream bandwidth to each SSD. This allows the device to optimise signal integrity, reduce latency, and supply an outstanding level of data throughput, which results in upwards of 28GB/s of real-world transfer performance! This results in a truly one-of-a-kind, feature-rich NVMe Storage solution, perfectly suited for data-intensive applications such as healthcare diagnostics, scientific research and simulation, deep learning model training, AI-powered video and image processing, and AI-powered cybersecurity.

One of the driving forces behind the device's industry-leading storage capacity and performance capability is the company's advanced, three-pronged, dual-width NVMe cooling system, which employs a full-length aluminium casing and heat sink, powerful low-decibel cooling fans and a unique SSD mounting system to improve reliability and stave off the threat of thermal throttling. The aluminium casing fully encloses the M.2 media and sensitive controller componentry, effectively sealing it from the surrounding hardware environment. The innovative, toolless SSD loading system arranges M.2 media vertically to optimise airflow within the AIC. Three cooling fans, one mounted directly atop the integrated heatsink and a pair installed into the side-mounted access hatch, work in unison to condense and circulate cool air throughout the casing and eject waste heat through the ventilated PCIe bracket.

To complement the hardware side of the equation, the company has developed an intelligent temperature monitoring and alert system, which is integrated directly into the NVMe storage management and monitoring suite. Administrators can track the temperature and endurance (TBW/DWPD rating) of each hosted NVMe storage device in real-time via its innovative SHI (storage health inspector) service, which can be used to configure warning thresholds based on each SSD specifications and adjust the AIC's triple cooling fans to ensure hosted M.2 media perform optimally, even under the most demanding workflow. The service can be instructed to activate an audible warning alarm or contact one or more administrators via email if temperature thresholds are crossed.

The deviceSSD7749M2's comprehensive NVMe storage management and monitoring suite enables administrators to easily configure and maintain the platform's NVMe storage ecosystem with a few simple clicks and commands from within and outside of the OS. RAID arrays will be recognised as single, physical disks and can be configured and tailored for various roles, such as an application drive or virtual scratch disk, data archiving or even for hosting bootable OS's or virtualisation platforms.

Also, a simple and easy 1-click Log Collection solution has been integrated into the WebGUI and CLI management utilities to streamline the troubleshooting process and expedite the service/support process.

The RAID AICs are protected by the company's Gen4 Data Security Suite, which includes SafeStorage, a state-of-the-art data encryption solution for OPAL SSC-compliant SED drives and arrays. Stored data is automatically locked down whenever storage is unplugged from the AIC, effectively preventing unauthorised access to sensitive information should physical disks be misplaced or stolen. In addition, it features Hardware Secure Boot, which stops unauthorised code, such as a rootkit or ransomware, from executing during the system's boot-up sequence.

The device is fully qualified for the major M.2 SSD series, such as Samsung's 990 PRO, and Phison E18-based 8TB SSDs, such as the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus.