Microchip Technology introduced the Adaptec SmartRAID 4300 series of NVMe RAID storage accelerators to better serve enterprise customers, storage systems, data centers, and server OEMs. High-performance, RAID-enabled, feature-rich Software-Defined Storage (SDS) for NVMe deployments is the new family.
The accelerators are particularly well-suited for contemporary AI data center settings where optimizing system performance and supporting demanding workloads depend on speeding up access to NVMe storage.
Through the disaggregation of Microchip’s Smart Storage platform into distinct software and hardware components, the SmartRAID 4300 family adopts a novel approach to NVMe RAID.
The accelerators divide the storage software stack to make use of the extended host PCIe architecture for optimal data flows and connection, leveraging Microchip’s PCIe® storage controllers as the underlying hardware to offer CPU offload and RAID acceleration.
In comparison to earlier generation products, the SmartRAID 4300 family has demonstrated up to seven times higher input/output (I/O) performance benefits in thorough internal testing.
While parity-based redundancy (XOR) is offloaded from the host CPU to the accelerator hardware, writes from the host CPU to the NVMe endpoints at their respective PCIe generational speeds optimize I/O data flows when Smart Storage software is running on the host CPU.
In addition to helping the SmartRAID 4300 accelerator achieve high levels of scalability, flexibility, and support for Gen 4 and Gen 5 PCIe host CPUs with up to 32 CPU-attached x4 NVMe devices and 64 logical drives/RAID arrays, this architecture solves bottlenecks present in conventional in-line storage solutions.
The SmartRAID 4300 family supports NVMe and cloud-capable SSDs, allowing for tailored solutions that are designed to meet a diverse range of enterprise needs.
Specific architectural and semiconductor design techniques, including automatic idling of processor cores and autonomous power reduction capabilities, optimize power efficiency and multiple safeguards help maintain end-to-end data integrity.
The accelerators are designed with security features including hardware root of trust, secure boot/update, attestation and Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) support for enterprise-class data protection.
The SmartRAID 4300 series maintains the advanced features, functionality and hardware offload of Microchip’s previous-generation of in-line enterprise storage products, while delivering high performance that scales with the host, interconnect and CPU-attached NVMe endpoints. Visit the website to learn more about the company’s full portfolio of data center solutions.
Configuration and Management Tools
The Adaptec maxView tool, with its HTML5-based web GUI, ARCCONF CLI, and plug-ins for both local and remote management of enterprise and data center server platforms, are among the host tools that support the SmartRAID 4300 series.
Accessible through common desktop and mobile browsers, these solutions facilitate in-band network management and are compatible with Adaptec SmartRAID products for seamless integration.
The SmartRAID 4300 series supports Platform-Level Data Model (PLDM), Redfish® Device Enablement (RDE) via MCTP protocol, and Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) standards-based management for out-of-band Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) management.
Leadership Comments
“Our innovative solution with separate software and hardware addresses the limitations of traditional architectures that rely on a PCIe host interface slot for all data flows,” said Brian McCarson, corporate vice president of Microchip’s data center solutions business unit. “The SmartRAID 4300 series allows us to enhance performance, efficiency and adaptability to better support modern enterprise infrastructure systems.”
Pricing and Availability
Adaptec SmartRAID 4300 accelerators are available for production integration. Contact a Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor for details.
