512 TB NVMe: HighPoint introduced external RAID arrays RocketStor 6541AW and 6542AW with PCIe 4.0 x16

HighPoint introduced NVMe DAS with the ability to form RAID arrays and a PCIe 4.0 x16 connection interface.

The new series includes the RocketStor 6541AW and 6542AW models, which are designed for industrial and peripheral platforms and professional workstations. The storage units are equipped with four and eight vertical baskets, respectively, with hot-swappable support. It is possible to install enterprise-class U.2/U.3 NVMe SFF drives with a total capacity of up to 0.5 PB. It is possible to form up to four independent RAID 0/1/10 arrays, which can be bootable from the host’s point of view.

Each drive is provided with four PCIe 4.0 lanes. The storage is connected to the host via a CDFP cable (PCIe 4.0 x16) 1 m long and a Highpoint RocketRAID 1544 HHFL expansion card (also PCIe 4.0 x16), which provides a dedicated x16 communication channel between the host and the device. Highpoint emphasizes that both the chassis and adapter use Broadcom PEX88048 PCIe switches, which provide 48 PCIe 4.0 lanes with low latency, allowing for high data transfer speeds without loss.

Image source: RocketStor 6541AW (Source hereafter: highpoint-tech.com)

SED installation and data encryption are supported, and the devices themselves use SecureBoot, which avoids running unauthorized code during boot. In addition, when disconnected from the “native” host adapter, the data in the storage becomes inaccessible.

RocketStor 6542AW with external controller board

RocketStor 654x are equipped with low-noise fans, and the ability to manually adjust the speed allows you to adjust the cooling intensity depending on operating conditions. It is also possible to turn off the fans completely. The rear panel image also shows a USB 2.0 Type-C port (for flashing) and an RJ45 LAN port (for inventory).

Dimensions of RocketStor 6541AW are 154.94 × 130.05 × 210.06 mm with a weight of 5.2 kg, 6542AW – 234.95 × 122.94 × 210.18 mm and 6.7 kg. The operating temperature range extends from +5°C to + 55°C. The built-in power supply has a power of 250 W. The warranty is two years. Deliveries of new products will begin in September. So far, the manufacturer’s website only lists the cost of the older model 6542AW, which is $2,300.