Optimizing Performance with HighPoint’s Intelligent, Proactive Gen5 Cooling Solution.

If maximum performance and longevity is your goal, keeping the temperature of NVMe storage within the boundaries set by the manufacturer is an absolute must.

NVMe SSDs generate a considerable amount of heat, especially Gen5 and Gen4 media. The ability to properly manage this waste should be a key concern of any modern high-performance server or workstation platform. NVMe media will activate a safety mechanism known as thermal throttling when temperatures cross a critical threshold. The SSD will downgrade throughput in order to mitigate heat generation and preserver hardware; hence the term “throttling” – it will throttle down performance.

This article examines the innovative ways HighPoint NVMe Rocket 7608A PCIe Gen5 x16 Pro-Class NVMe RAID AIC works to combat the threat of thermal throttling, and how this approach differs from ordinary NVMe controller cards.

The Problem of Heat Management

When aggregating storage via a dedicated NVMe AIC (add-in-card) cooling concerns can multiply. Not only must waste heat generated by the SSD media be kept in control, so to must heat generated by the AIC/Adapter’s NVMe controller ICs.

Unfortunately, the majority of NVMe PCIe cards are ill prepared in this sense – most have only basic cooling hardware (a simple fan or heat sink, for example). Ordinary NVMe PCIe add-in-cards  tend to rely on the host platform’s internal cooling system. This approach is at odds with the needs of professional server and workstation platforms. The internal cooling systems are generally stressed enough as is; the average platform must deal with the host CPU, motherboard and power supply, in addition to an assortment of other PCIe devices, ranging from networking controllers and expansion cards, to high-speed GPU’s. Adding an ordinary NVMe controller to the mix may be asking for trouble.

HighPoint’s Intelligent Pro-Active PCIe Gen5 Cooling Solutions: Leveraging State of the Art Hardware and Innovative Software to Combat Thermal Throttling

HighPoint understands how critical heat management is for modern high-performance computing platforms. It is key to maintaining long-term durability and performance potential of any given system. Our NVMe solutions have always been built with these requirements in mind, and challenge performance-robbing thermal throttling head on.

To coincide with the release of our PCIe Gen5 NVMe storage solutions, we have introduced a groundbreaking approach to NVMe thermal management. Our next-generation Rocket 7608A PCIe Gen5 x16 Pro-Class NVMe RAID AIC is a true standout in this regard. Unlike ordinary NVMe controller cards, the solution pairs the industry’s most advanced hardware cooling systems with a powerful software suite designed enhance the reliability of NVMe media and maximize storage performance by keeping the threat of performance -robbing thermal throttling at bay.

The Hardware Side

Rocket 7600 series Pro-Class NVMe RAID AICs employ the latest generation of our proven NVMe hardware cooling solutions. The system is to our product lines, and isn’t simply a mish-mash of standardized componentry.

Key Features:

· Multi-Layered Cooling System:

√ Aluminum Heatsink: The robust aluminum heatsink covers the entire length of the NVMe device, maximizing the surface area for heat dissipation

 √ Durable, Low-Decibel Cooling Fan: A powerful, low-noise fan is integrated directly into the heatsink for maximum efficiency

 √ Dual-Cooling Padding: By providing cooling from both the top and bottom, the dual-cooling padding ensures that all heat generated by the NVMe device is effectively managed

· Integrated Notification & Alert System: An audible alarm and series of LED indicators enable administrators to instantly asses potential heat-related issues in the field

Multi-Layered Cooling System:

The Rocket 7608A employs a full-length aluminum heatsink with copper SSD contacts, two layers of thermal padding and a powerful low-decibel cooling fan. This innovative, layered approach ensures that the hosted M.2 media is able to operate within the manufacturers specified temperature threshold, even under maximum sustained load.

The Rocket 7608A’s hardware cooling solution was precision engineered to excel in enterprise hardware environments, and are precisely sized and positioned to ensure the AIC remains compliant with CEM PCIe specifications, and provides proper clearance for neighboring PCIe devices.

Integrated Notification & Alert Systems

All Rocket 7600 and 1600 series solutions provide a series of alert and notification systems to keep you abreast of changing environmental conditions while away in the field or on-site.

The Rocket 7608A Pro-Class RAID AIC incorporates a series of LED Indicators into the bracket side of the PCB, and an Error Alarm toward the right-side of the device (beneath the heatsink/casing). The audible alarm can be enabled/disabled as needed, via the WebGUI and CLI management tools (more on this later). A variety of LED codes (color, flashing patterns) are used to indicate the temperature status of each SSD and the internal NVMe IC and PCI Switch chipset.

The Software Suite

The Rocket 7608A comprehensive Management and Monitoring suite provides a powerful thermal management toolset.

Key Features

  √ SHI – Storage Health Inspector: Utilizes S.M.A.R.T. to track and report SSD temperature and health status

  √ Temperature Threshold Optimization: SHI will automatically establish a threshold warning system to match the specifications of each SSD.

  √ Email Notification System: Sends temperature warnings and alerts to one or more administrators

  √ Adjustable Fan Control: Configurable fan for unique applications and environments - select from 5 speed settings

SHI

The software side of the equation utilizes our proven SHI (Storage Health Inspector) solution. Integrated directly into the WebGUI and CLI Management Tools, SHI enables administrators to track the temperature of each SSD using S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring and Reporting Technology) in real time.

SHI (storage health inspector) is a key feature of HighPoint NVMe solutions. The solution is integrated into the WebGUI and CLI (command line utility) interfaces and enables administrators to monitor the temperature of each NVMe device in real time.

SHI Displays SMART data as a list of attributes – this data can be viewed by clicking “Detail” for each SSD.

Temperature Threshold Optimization

HighPoint WebGUI	HighPoint CLI (Command-Line Interface)
SHI will automatically configure temperature thresholds based on the settings specified by each SSD’s firmware.

Email Notification & Event Logging

The Rocket 7608A provides a series of alert and notification systems to keep you abreast of changing environmental conditions while away in the field or on-site. Designed to work in conjunction with the integrated LED Indicators and Audible Error Alarm, the WebGUI’s Event Log records any temperature warnings, faults or alerts reported by SHI, which can then be exported for analysis and troubleshooting purposes.

In addition, you can configure the WebGUI and CLI to automatically contact one or more administrators whenever a critical temperature threshold is breached via the SMTP Email notification service.

Adjustable Fan Controls

Full Fan Control is provided for the Rocket 7608A Pro-Class RAID AIC. Although the AIC is perfectly capable of managing temperature on its own, the ability to manually adjust fan speed allows administrators to tune the cooling system to meet the needs of each target platform and workflow.

The WebGUI and CLI tools provide 5 speed settings to select from, including an option to activate a passive cooling mode for workflows that demand complete silence.

Why HighPoint’s Cooling Solutions Stand Out

The Rocket 7608A’s Intelligent Pro-Active PCIe Gen5 Cooling Solutions is the new standard for PCIe NVMe add-in-solutions. Unlike standard NVMe AICs, which rely on the host platform’s cooling system, HighPoint offers a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to NVMe cooling management. It’s a complete package:

1. Innovative Hardware Design: A multi-layered hardware system combines a full-length aluminum heatsink, low-decibel cooling fan, and dual thermal pads to ensure waste heat is efficiently dissipated away from the NVMe media and sensitive controller hardware.

2. Advanced Software Suite: Configurable temperature thresholds, full fan control and a selection of monitoring tools and alert mechanisms provide a proactive and customizable approach to cooling management.

3. Enhanced Device Protection: By maintaining optimal temperatures, HighPoint’s cooling solutions help extend the lifespan of NVMe devices and ensure consistent performance.

In Summary

HighPoint’s Intelligent Pro-Active PCIe Gen5 Cooling Solution is a game-changer for PCIe NVMe add-in-card solutions. With state-of-the-art hardware and an innovative software suite, the solution offers unparalleled efficiency, flexibility, and protection for high-performance storage environments. Whether you’re managing a data center or a high-end workstation, HighPoint provides the peace of mind that your NVMe devices are always operating at their best.

For more information and to explore HighPoint’s full range of cooling solutions, visit HighPoint’s Official Website.

Learn More…

HighPoint WebGUI RAID & Storage Management

PCIe Gen5 NVMe RAID Series Proactive Environmental Solution

FAQs:

Q1: What NVMe SSDs are compatible with HighPoint’s cooling solutions?

A: HighPoint’s cooling solutions support any industry-standard NVMe SSD. Configurable temperature thresholds, customizable Alerts & Notifications, and Full Fan Control enable administrators to tune the solution for specific configurations and applications.

Q2: How can I set the temperature threshold for my NVMe device?

A: The temperature thresholds can be configured via HighPoint’s WebGUI and CLI management tools.

Q3: What happens if the temperature exceeds the set threshold?

A: When the temperature exceeds the set threshold, administrators are notified through SMTP email, LED indicators, an Audible Alarm, and detailed event logs.