Deploy Next Generation Storage with Confidence
Intel® VMD is an Intel® Xeon® Scalable processor feature that enables direct control and management of NVMe SSDs from the PCIe bus without additional hardware adaptors. This robust NVMe SSD functionality allows a seamless transition to NVMe storage while limiting the downtime of critical infrastructure. Intel® VMD brings enterprise reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) features to NVMe SSDs, enabling you to deploy next-generation storage with confidence.
Transition to NVMe with Intel® VMD
Intel® Volume Management Device (Intel® VMD) is specifically designed for enterprise-grade management of NVMe SSDs connected to Intel® Xeon® CPUs. Each Root Port consists of a x16 grouping of Intel® Xeon® PCIe lanes that create a single Intel® VMD Domain. Root Ports act like an integrated HBA to provide a robust foundation for supporting the NVMe ecosystem with the below functionality:
- Error isolation from the Host OS
- Hot-plug and surprise removal support
- Standardized LED Management
- Bootable RAID
Please reference Intel® Virtual RAID on CPU (Intel® VROC) and Direct Assign information below for Intel® VMD implementations and product brief details.
Powered by Intel® Xeon® Processors
As processing power continues to scale, high-bandwidth access to low-latency storage is critical to realizing the true potential of the CPU. Intel® VMD and Intel® VROC are features of Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors that enable a seamless transition to fast NVMe storage to maximize CPU access to data, without a disruption in storage functionality.
Supported Processors
- Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors (Generation 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, All SKUs)
- Intel® Xeon® W processors
- Intel® Xeon® D processors
The number of VMD Domains on a given CPU is a function of the number of PCIe lanes. For every 16 PCIe lanes, one Intel VMD Domain is available.
- 64 PCIe Lanes = 4 Intel VMD Domains
- 80 PCIe Lanes = 5 Intel VMD Domains
Note: Some platforms may support an additional Intel VMD Domain off the chipset, which is not included in the above calculation. This instance is primarily used for boot to preserve CPU PCIe lanes for higher performance devices.
Intel® Virtual RAID on CPU
Today’s all-NVMe storage systems require a new architecture where traditional HBA architecture no longer meets the demanding workload requirements. Intel® Virtual RAID on CPU (Intel® VROC) is an enterprise-grade, integrated RAID solution on Intel® Xeon® Processors that eliminates the need for an external RAID HBA. Intel® VROC takes the robust functionality and enterprise quality of hardware RAID and combines it with the flexibility and upgradability of software RAID.
NVMe for HCI: Intel® VMD Direct Assign
As modernized data centers continue to transition a Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) architectures, new tools are needed to support higher density and performing platforms. Intel® VMD Direct Assign allows an Intel® VMD Domain to be directly assigned to a VM, completely bypassing the hypervisor, for reduced storage latency and increased bandwidth. The Guest OS inherits the Intel® VMD primary function allowing HCI implementations to take advantage of NVMe storage performance while maintaining necessary storage and virtualization functionality.