Enhanced NVMe Performance Delivered by Storage Accelerator
Microchip's SmartRAID 4300 Enhances NVMe Storage Performance
Microchip's SmartRAID 4300 storage accelerator is revolutionising the performance of multiple-drive NVMe systems. By disaggregating the storage software and hardware, it allows I/O data flows to maximise performance in a way that traditional in-line RAID architectures cannot.
The Smart Storage software runs on the host CPU, managing writes directly to NVMe endpoints at their native PCIe generational speeds. Meanwhile, the accelerator hardware handles the CPU-intensive parity-based redundancy calculations, eliminating bottlenecks that are common in traditional RAID architectures.
This innovative architecture delivers up to a 7x increase in I/O performance compared to previous generations. It supports high scalability and flexibility, with compatibility for up to 32 CPU-attached x4 NVMe devices and 64 logical drives/RAID arrays. The SmartRAID 4300 series also supports PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5, optimising for modern enterprise infrastructures, particularly AI data centres that require high-speed NVMe access.
The SmartRAID 4300 offers additional benefits such as improved power efficiency through automatic core idling and power reduction features, enhanced end-to-end data integrity safeguards, and advanced security measures. These include hardware root of trust, secure boot, attestation, and Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) support.
In RAID arrays, a failed drive can be replaced and the array rebuilt while it continues to operate. The SmartRAID 4300 configuration differs from the traditional RAID controller approach, as it works in tandem with the host. This collaboration ensures optimal performance and reliability for modern storage systems.
[1] Microchip's SmartRAID 4300 Datasheet: https://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/en/SmartRAID4300 [2] Adaptec's MaxView Software: https://www.microchip.com/en-us/development-tool/MH735210-MAXVIEW [3] DMTF, PLDM, and Redfish Device Enablement (RDE) via MCTP Protocol: https://www.dmtf.org/ [4] Open Compute Project: https://www.opencompute.org/
Data-and-cloud-computing technologies significantly benefit from Microchip's SmartRAID 4300 storage accelerator, as its infrastructure optimizes for AI data centers that require high-speed NVMe access. The advanced technology deployed in the SmartRAID 4300 series enhances NVMe storage performance and supports modern technologies like PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5.
