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HighPoint M.2 AIC NVMe Switch Product Line
Engineered professional workflows that demand exceptional storage performance, density, and reliability, HighPoint M.2 NVMe Switch AICs enable customers to unlock the full potential of M.2 storage media across PCIe Gen5, Gen4 and Gen3 host interfaces.
The robust, small-footprint AIC form factor can be easily integrated into any industry standard x86 Intel/AMD Server or Workstation with a free PCIe x16 slot, including compact industrial platforms and rackmount chassis. Each AIC can directly host up to eight M.2 SSDs, which removes the need for internal drive bays and cabling accessories.
Whether for intensive data processing, AI acceleration, or high-demand storage applications, HighPoint’s M.2 NVMe Switch AICs are up to the task. HighPoint's proven high-bandwidth, low-latency PCIe Switching architecture, and native hardware support delivers unmatched stability, signal integrity, and flexibility to satisfy a wide range of data-intensive industrial and edge computing workflows.
Key Features:
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4 to 8 Independent M.2 Ports
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PCIe Switching architecture based on Broadcom’s 48-lane PCIe switching technology:
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Spans 3 PCIe Generations: Gen3 (PLX8747/ PLX8749), Gen4 (PEX88048) & Gen5 (PEX89048)
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Ensures the fastest, densest downstream connectivity possible
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Optimizes signal integrity & stability, and minimizes latency
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Designed to maximize performance & connectivity density per PCIe x16/x8 slot:
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Gen5 x16: near-60GB/s or 7 Millions IOPs
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Gen4 x16: 28GB/s & up to 8 devices
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Gen3 x16: 14GB/s & up to 8 devices
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Customizable Firmware Solutions for Gen5 AICs
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Wide-range of M.2 Form factor Support (2242, 2260, 2280, 22110)
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Natively supported by Mainstream Operating systems; delivers driverless deployment experience
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Robust, flexible & scalable; Tailor speed & capacity for the deployment & infrastructure requirements of each Application/Workflow
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Supports Multi-AICs Configurations: 2 or more AICs can coexist in a single workstation or server
Powered by Industry Proven PCIe Switching Technology
HighPoint M.2 NVMe Switch AICs are engineered to maximize the potential of each available PCIe x16/x8 slot to deliver peak performance and superior storage connectivity. Each solution leverages Broadcom’s industry-leading x48-Lane PCIe Switch ICs to optimize signal integrity, minimize latency and provide the fastest, densest downstream port connectivity possible in a single-slot device. Learn More...
Advanced Cooling Solutions
Each AIC is equipped with a powerful, ultra-efficient hardware cooling solution designed specifically for high-density NVMe storage configurations and tailored for each PCIe generation.
The cooling solution is comprised of an anodized aluminum heatsink with one or more integrated low-decibel cooling fans, several layers of high-efficiency thermal padding, and a ventilated PCIe bracket. The system was engineered rapidly transfer waste heat away from the hosted M.2 media and Switch chipset, and keep the performance-sapping threat of thermal throttling at bay.
Native, Driverless Mainstream OS Support delivers Seamless Deployment Experience
HighPoint M.2 NVMe Switch AIC are natively supported by all modern Linux and Windows based operating systems, and utilize Broadcom’s embedded MPT driver, and the OS’s native NVMe drivers. Administrators need only physically install the AIC or Adapter PCIe card – no software installation or unique management suite is required.
HighPoint PCIe/NVMe Switch storage solutions are universally compatible with all modern operating systems, including Microsoft Windows/Windows Server, Azure and Hyper-V, and Linux distributions such as RHEL, Debian, Ubuntu, & Rocky Linux.
M.2 media hosted by the AIC will be automatically recognized by these platforms, and can be formatted and partitioned using the default storage interface or SDS (software defined storage) application of choice.
In addition, native OS compatibility significantly streamlines service and maintenance sessions as support for the hardware is already embedded directly into each OS.
Flexible Multi-AIC Configurations: Provided there are two or more free PCIe x16 slots, as many as four M.2 NVMe Switch AICs can coexist within a single platform. Operating systems will recognize each AIC will be recognized as a distinct device, and is capable of operating independently. Configurable in single or multi-AIC/Adapter deployments, our M.2 NVMe Switches can coexist within workstations or servers, offering unmatched flexibility in design and performance optimization.
Gen5 Field Service Feature Suite
Intelligent Self-Diagnostic LEDs & Alarms: HighPoint PCIe Gen5 AICs feature Built-In Early Warning LED Indicators and Audible Alarms. Simple color coding and light/sound patterns enable administrators to instantly asses the status of hosted M.2 media, the strength of the PCIe connection, and temperature of the PCIe switch hardware.
HighPoint MPT Utility: HighPoint’s MPT Utility offers advanced real-time monitoring and diagnostic services for each Switch Adapter.
FRU (Field Replicable Unit) Support: The Rocket 1608A is a field replaceable unit (FRU); the VPD stored on each adapter enables customers and service providers to easily procure replacements with the correct firmware/driver combination.
Applications & Use Cases
HighPoint M.2 NVMe Switch AICs are ideal storage solutions for any business or organization that requires a compact, plug-and-play single-slot PCIe storage solution designed to deliver maximized transfer performance, superior scalability and seamless compatibility with industry standard x86 server and workstation platforms. Each AICs can directly host up to 8 M.2 SSDs and 64TB of storage, fully maximize x16 lanes of host PCIe 5.0/4.0/3.0 x16 connectivity, and is natively supported by all major operating system platforms; characteristics ideal for a wide range of professional workloads.
x4 dedicated PCIe lanes are allocated to each M.2 slot to ensure maximum per-device bandwidth for optimal performance. HighPoint Switch AICs are natively by all modern Linux and Windows based operating systems for seamless integration with standard storage infrastructure and third-party storage solutions, including SDS, Virtualization Servers and Edge computing platforms. This versatility makes HighPoint’s NVMe Switch AICs ideal for IT environments that require rapid, flexible, and high-density storage expansion solutions.
Virtualization & Cloud Computing
Use Cases: Virtual Machine hosting
Benefits: Speeds up to 7 million IOPS, 4 to 8 independent M.2 Ports, and Native Linux & Windows support are ideal for VM platforms.
Edge Computing
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Use Cases: Industrial Platforms, Edge Server & Workstations
Benefits: Native hardware support simplifies service & upgrade workflows, and the compact form-factor is ideal for deployment in space-constrained environments
Resources
HighPoint NVMe Switch Adapters and Systems from our Partners
M.2 NVMe Switch AIC Product Lines
PCIe Gen5 Solutions
Product | Image | PCle | Ports | M.2 FF | AIC FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket 1608A | PCIe 5.0 x16 | 8 | 2242 /2260/ 2280 | FH-FL |
PCIe Gen4 Solutions
Product | Image | PCle | Ports | M2 FF | AIC FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket 1504 | PCIe 4.0 x16 | 4 | 2242 /2260/ 2280 / 22110 | FH-FL | |
Rocket 1508 | PCIe 4.0 x16 | 8 | 2242 /2260/ 2280 | FH-FL |
PCIe Gen3 Solutions
Product | Image | PCle | Ports | M2 FF | AIC FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket 1204 | PCIe 3.0 x8 | 4 | 2242 /2260/ 2280 / 22110 | FH-FL | |
Rocket 1104 | PCIe 3.0 x16 | 4 | 2242 /2260/ 2280 / 22110 | FH-FL | |
Rocket 1108A | PCIe 3.0 x16 | 8 | 2242 /2260/ 2280 | FH-FL |