Technical Comparison: SupremeRAID™ vs. Software RAID
Software RAID clogs CPU resources, leading to degraded performance and workload bottlenecks. SupremeRAID™ is a unique out-of-path RAID solution that delivers better performance, scalability, and optimized resource utilization — while also ensuring data security and system integrity. Learn why SupremeRAID™ wins over software RAID here:
Modern operating systems, including Linux and Windows, support software-based RAID. Using built-in software is the standard choice for protecting data stored on drives. However, software RAID consumes significant system resources while protecting data, especially when using solid-state drives (SSDs).
Increasing storage workloads generates higher CPU workloads, creating unavoidable bottlenecks that slow systems, databases, and applications. But 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. Software 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™ software runs on a GPU add-in card, leaving CPUs available for operating systems, databases, applications, and other workloads.
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. It is more convenient than upgrading the system to handle software RAID workloads.
Future-proof Solution – SupremeRAID™ supports Linux and Windows servers with the same solution. A technology refresh might trigger a switch to a different software RAID.
How SupremeRAID™ Wins Over Software 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 functionalityCombines best-in-class hardware and software for RAIDGPU add-in card for RAID accelerationOffloads RAID computations from the system’s CPUFrees-up CPU cores to process database and app workloadsPredictable system
& RAID performanceDedicated hardware processes RAID storage workloadsSystem runs optimally regardless of RAID storage workloadsHigh-performance
in degraded modeGPU add-in card effortlessly recreates missing dataMinimal impact on system performance during SSD failureHigh-performance
in rebuild modeGPU add-in card effortlessly recovers to the replaced driveMinimal impact on system performance during SSD rebuildFast and easy setup and usageInstall add-in card and configure SSDs for RAID in minutesLess complicated than OS and file system RAIDSame 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 NVMe SSDs needs SupremeRAID™. The math is simple: software RAID 10 mirrors data across drive pairs, reducing bandwidth by 50%.
Aggregate Read BandwidthSSDsSupremeRAID™Software RAID 10Four28 GB/s14 GB/sEight56 GB/s28 GB/sTwelve84 GB/s42 GB/sSixteen112 GB/s56 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. SupremeRAID™ delivers the required usable capacity using fewer SSDs, and the money saved pays for SupremeRAID™.
Usable CapacitySSDsSupremeRAID™ RAID 5Software 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 CPU-based software RAID. SupremeRAID™ includes a GPU add-in card for RAID acceleration. Software RAID uses CPU cores for RAID processing, consuming up to 87% of system resources.
- Performance & Scalability: SupremeRAID™ offers consistent scaling in performance up to 1.8 times higher vs. the leading software RAID
- CPU Utilization: SupremeRAID™ demonstrates superior CPU utilization that is up to 20 times lower vs. the leading software RAID
- Power Consumption: SupremeRAID™ consumes up to 30% less power vs. the leading software RAID
Want to know more? Check out Get To Know Your Options: SupremeRAID™ vs. Hardware 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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