PCIe SSDs

PCIe SSDs for use in enterprise server acceleration have been shipping in the market since 2007.

Over 40 companies already ship enterprise accelerator PCIe SSDs. That will rise to over 100 companies as the availability of more PCIe supporting SSD controller chips, other SSD related chip sets and IP and SSD software for this market will make it even easier than it already is for newcomers to enter the PCIe SSDs market.

PCIe SSDs come in several shapes and sizes. The most familiar form factor is cards, modules and racks. But a new form factor - for 2.5" PCIe SSDs which emerged last year will open up new applications - such as displacement of fast SAS SSDs.

In the 2nd half of 2013 - the start of another type of deployment for the PCIe interface in the M.2 form factor which is aimed at the consumer SSD market and SSD notebooks. These consumer products have throughputs similar to the enterprise products of 5-6 years earlier - but aren't rated for heavy IOPS. Nevertheless It wouldn't be surprised to see them appear as enterprise components in some future arrays in read-intensive design slots.
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(still) the standard for enterprise PCIe SSDs
by which all others are judged
ioDrives from Fusion-io