Technical Comparison: SupremeRAID™ vs. Hardware RAID
Compared to hardware RAID, SupremeRAID™ with RAID 5 delivers faster performance and up to 50% higher capacity with the same number of SSDs. Meaning SupremeRAID™ delivers the required usable capacity using fewer overall SSDs -- so the investment pays for itself. Plus, new and improved features with every software release free up CPU cores for database and app workloads. Simplify your system with SupremeRAID™ and get the most out of your server investment.
Hardware RAID adapters are standard for delivering “high-speed” data protection. These products include specialized chips (ASIC and FPGA controllers) to achieve functional performance while protecting data. However, even the fastest hardware RAID products cannot match the aggregate performance of solid-state drives (SSDs). The resulting performance bottleneck is unavoidable and worsens when using SSDs with PCI Express (PCIe) and NVM Express (NVMe) technologies.
SupremeRAID™ works differently. It combines two powerful technologies — software-defined storage (SDS) and GPU acceleration — to create an innovative solution ideal for NVMe SSD data protection. The result is better RAID-protected storage with the same PCIe NVMe SSDs.
SupremeRAID™ Value vs. Hardware RAID
Instant Return on Investment – SupremeRAID™ exceeds performance requirements with fewer SSDs. The amount of money saved more than pays for the SupremeRAID™ solution.
Non-blocking Performance – SupremeRAID™ leaves SSDs connected to the server board, eliminating the unavoidable bottlenecks that exist when SSDs connect to add-in cards.
Higher System Efficiency – SupremeRAID™ needs minimal resources to protect data, leaving more CPU cores for applications and more PCIe bandwidth for data.
Better Storage Availability – SupremeRAID™ performance remains little changed during SSD failures, protecting service levels for databases, applications, and users.
Faster RAID Recovery – SupremeRAID™ rebuilds data at multiple TBs per hour with a low impact on performance, enabling recovery to begin anytime and complete quickly.
Fast and Easy Installation – SupremeRAID™ installation couldn’t be easier. Just plug it in and go. Competitors’ hardware RAID product installs can require reconfiguring drive bays, replacing drive cables, and changing power connections.
Future-proof Solution – SupremeRAID™ supports PCI Gen 3, 4, and 5 servers and SSDs with one solution. Hardware RAID competitors replaced old Gen 3 products with new Gen 4 ones, but none of their products are available with Gen 5 support.
How SupremeRAID™ Wins Over Hardware RAID
FeaturesBenefitsAdvantagesRecord-setting RAID storage performanceScale up to 28M IOPS and 260GB/s throughputUse more of your SSD’s performance while protecting dataModern software-defined storageRelies on flexible software to deliver functionalityAdds and improves features with every software releaseGPU add-in card for RAID accelerationOffloads RAID computations from the system’s CPUFrees-up CPU cores to process database and app workloadsPCIe Gen 3, 4, and 5 support todayBackward and forward SSD and system compatibilitySupports future tech refreshes using the same RAID solutionConnect SSDs using NVMe and NVMeoFUse internal and external direct-attached SSDsExpands storage beyond the limits of server SSD baysScale RAID storage from 2 to 32 SSDsConsolidate system data protection using one RAID solutionAvoids having to use two or more of the same RAID solutionNo battery backups modulesHigh performance without volatile caching & batteriesNo battery backup modules to purchase, monitor and replaceSame solution for Linux and WindowsStandardize on one RAID solution across multiple data centersSimplify system design, management, and administration
Why SupremeRAID™ Is The Winning Choice
Rescue Wasted Performance:
Every system with 4+ NVMe SSDs needs SupremeRAID™. The math is simple: four PCIe x4 SSDs will saturate any PCIe x16 hardware RAID (four x4 = one x16).
Aggregate Read BandwidthSSDsSupremeRAID™Hardware RAID428 GB/s28 GB/s856 GB/s28 GB/s1284 GB/s28 GB/s16112 GB/s28 GB/sNote: Assumes PCIe Gen 4 SSDs
Maximize Your Investment & Make The Most of Your Configuration:
RAID 10 is wasteful but used for “extra” speed. SupremeRAID™ with RAID 5 delivers faster performance and up to 50% higher capacity with the same SSDs. This means SupremeRAID™ delivers the required usable capacity using fewer SSDs, and the money saved pays for SupremeRAID™.
Usable CapacitySSDsSupremeRAID™ RAID 5Hardware RAID 10412 TB8 TB620 TB12 TB828 TB16 TBNote: Assumes 4 TB SSDs
Know The Architectural & Technical Pros and Cons:
Consider the fact that you're comparing modern GPU-based SupremeRAID™ versus legacy ASIC/FPGA-based hardware RAID. SupremeRAID™ gets better and faster with software updates. Hardware RAID needs new chips for change (e.g., different products for PCIe Gen 3 vs. PCIe Gen 4).
NVMe SSD SupportPCIe GenSupremeRAID™Hardware RAID3YesVaries4YesVaries5YesNo
Want to know more? Check out Get To Know Your Options: SupremeRAID™ vs. Software RAID and browse our collection of white papers and use cases, or check out our global partner and distribution network to find SupremeRAID™ wherever you might need it.
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