Microchip Technology Introduces SmartRAID 4300 Series for Enhanced NVMe Storage Solutions
Microchip Technology has unveiled its latest innovation in data storage solutions with the launch of the Adaptec® SmartRAID 4300 series of NVMe® RAID storage accelerators. Designed to meet the evolving needs of server original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), data centers, and enterprise clients, this new product line offers a sophisticated, secure, and high-performance Software-Defined Storage (SDS) solution tailored for NVMe deployments. This move is particularly significant in the context of modern artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, where rapid storage access is essential for managing intensive computing workloads and optimizing overall system efficiency.
The SmartRAID 4300 series adopts a unique architecture by separating Microchip’s Smart Storage platform into distinct software and hardware elements. This strategic disaggregation allows for the utilization of Microchip’s PCIe® storage controllers as a foundational hardware layer, which plays a crucial role in CPU offloading and RAID acceleration. By segregating the storage software stack, the accelerators can leverage the expanded PCIe infrastructure found in contemporary host systems, fostering improved data flow and connectivity. Internal testing has revealed that the SmartRAID 4300 family delivers an impressive increase in input/output (I/O) performance, with gains of up to seven times compared to earlier generations.
By operating Smart Storage software on the host CPU, this innovative architecture enables direct I/O data flows from the host CPU to NVMe endpoints at their respective PCIe speeds, thereby maximizing performance. While the host CPU handles write processes, parity-based redundancy, utilizing XOR calculations, is efficiently offloaded to the accelerator hardware. This design mitigates the bottlenecks seen in traditional inline storage solutions, thus allowing the SmartRAID 4300 series to support extensive scalability and flexibility. The accelerators are compatible with both PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5 host CPUs and can manage up to 32 CPU-attached x4 NVMe devices, along with supporting 64 logical drives or RAID arrays.
Brian McCarson, corporate vice president of Microchip’s data center solutions business unit, remarked, “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. The SmartRAID 4300 series allows us to enhance performance, efficiency, and adaptability to better support modern enterprise infrastructure systems.”
Supporting both NVMe and cloud-capable SSDs, the SmartRAID 4300 family offers customizable solutions designed to fulfill a wide array of enterprise requirements. Advanced design techniques, such as automatic idling of processor cores and autonomous power reduction capabilities, enhance power efficiency without compromising performance. Additionally, it incorporates robust security features, including hardware root of trust, secure boot/update, attestation, and Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) support, all aimed at protecting sensitive enterprise data.
Furthermore, the SmartRAID 4300 series retains the advanced features and hardware offload capabilities seen in Microchip’s prior generation of inline storage products while providing scalable performance that aligns with the host system, interconnectivity, and CPU-attached NVMe endpoints. Organizations interested in enhancing their data storage capabilities can visit the Microchip Technology website for more information on the complete range of data center solutions.
Configuration and Management Tools for Enhanced Usability
Accompanying the SmartRAID 4300 series is a comprehensive suite of host management tools, including the Adaptec maxView™, which features an HTML5-based web graphical user interface (GUI), ARCCONF CLI, and various plug-ins designed for both remote and local management of enterprise and data center server platforms. These tools facilitate in-band network management and are compatible with standard desktop and mobile browsers, whether the user is onsite or working remotely. Additionally, the SmartRAID 4300 series supports out-of-band Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) management, adhering to Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) standards, as well as enabling Platform-Level Data Model (PLDM) and Redfish® Device Enablement (RDE) via the Management Component Transport Protocol (MCTP).
The combination of advanced technology and robust management features positions the SmartRAID 4300 series as a strong contender in the competitive landscape of enterprise storage solutions.
