Users Guide
Overview
The PowerEdge Express Flash Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) Solid State
Device (SSD) Adapter is a high-performance storage device designed for solutions requiring low latency, high I/O operations per second
(IOPS), and enterprise class storage reliability and serviceability. The NVMe PCIe SSDs oer a Multi-Level Cell (MLC) or Triple-Level Cell
(TLC) NAND ash technology with a high-speed PCIe 3.0 compliant interface. The high-speed PCIe 3.0 compliant interface helps improve
performance for I/O bound solutions.
NVMe is the standardized, high-performance host controller interface that uses SSD on a PCI Express bus (PCIe SSDs).
NVMe PCIe SSD adapters are available on selected PowerEdge systems from SM1715, PM1725, and PM1725a in varying capacities.
Topics:
• PCIe interface
• NVMe PCIe SSD adapter features
• Supported operating systems for NVMe PCIe SSD
PCIe interface
The SSD controller used on the NVMe PCIe SSD has a PCIe Generation 3 (8 GT/s) interface. The interface is a PCIe x4 lane width for a 16-
channel ash memory controller, and is used to transmit or receive storage interface commands between the host and the NVMe PCIe
SSD.
NVMe PCIe SSD adapter features
The following sections describe the dierent features of the NVMe PCIe SSD Adapter.
Device health
The NVMe PCIe SSD design is based on NAND ash technology. NAND SSDs have a nite number of program or erase cycles and a nite
number of spare blocks (replacements for other worn or faulty NAND blocks).
The program erase cycles and spare blocks are continuously monitored for each NVMe PCIe SSD through various software management
applications. For more information, see Conguring and managing your NVMe PCIe SSD adapter.
Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology
The Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART) feature set minimizes unscheduled system downtime by providing a
method of early detection of device degradation or fault conditions. By monitoring and storing critical performance and calibration
parameters, the SMART feature set attempts to predict degradation or fault conditions. Awareness of a negative reliability condition allows
the host system to warn you of an impending risk of device failure and advise on appropriate action.
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