Good to know: What is NVMe?

The NVMe specification

The Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) is a communication protocol that was specially developed for working with flash memory via the PCIe interface. NVMe takes advantage of the parallel nature of solid state drives, enabling the highest throughput and fastest response times to date for all types of workflows.

NVMe storage is perfect for business scenarios where every second counts. For example, in real-time customer interactions in areas such as finance, e-commerce and software sales. But also applications in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data and advanced analytics.

NVMe over Fabrics

NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) is a further development of the NVMe standard. It defines the level of a network distributor (the "fabric") between the NVMe device and the PC (or the PCIe bus). This makes it possible to detach the mass storage devices from a computer and thus increase utilization and availability.

Different designs of SSDs

There are basically three different types of SSDs:

•     2.5'' and 3.5''  
•     M.2  
•     mPCIe

The NVMe is based on the M.2 design and is therefore long and slim, whereas the mPCIe SSD is slightly wider and therefore shorter. The 2.5'' (70 x 100 mm) and the 3.5'' SSD (101.6 x 146.05 x 25.4 - 41.4 mm) are the largest of the three shapes and take up the most space in the PC (see Fig. 1, source: computer-bild.de)

SATA and PCIe transfer protocols

A distinction is made here between SATA and PCIexpress.  

The SATA transfer protocol is compatible with all three designs and has the following designations: 2.5'' SATA connection; M.2 SATA and mSATA. They all transmit at 6Gbit/s, i.e. around 500 mbyte/s.

There are different versions of the PCIexpress transfer protocol, starting from 1.0 up to 5.0, with different speeds in ascending order. One M.2 PCIe always has 4 lanes, including the Non-Volatile Memory Express. An NVMe as found in our spo-comm Mini-PCs transfers at 9.8 GBytes/s, as we are using an M.2 PCIe 3.0 with 4 lanes speak.  

spo-comm Mini-PCs with NVMe:

Our product range includes two Mini PCs that can be equipped with an NVMe SSD. One is our KUMO VI, which is at home in the field of sophisticated digital signage applications. The NINETEEN Q370, an industrial PC par excellence, can also be optionally equipped with NVMe.

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