Performance and Innovation of Enterprise Data Storage Advances through Emerging SCSI Express Initiative

Based on proven SCSI protocol, SCSI Express meets lower latency needs of PCIe yet suitable for SSDs and other advanced storage technologies

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The SCSI Trade Association (STA) today announced the advancement of the SCSI Express initiative, targeted at databases, virtual servers and online transactional applications that require lower latency from critical data storage. Combining the proven SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) storage interface protocol with the PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) computer expansion bus standard, SCSI Express provides a foundation for innovation of enterprise data storage and increased performance while extending investments in existing SCSI-based storage technology.

“With the increased adoption of SSDs (Solid State Drives) in data centers, there has emerged a need to design a storage interface suitable for high performance and lower latency,” said Marty Czekalski, president of STA and Interface and Emerging Architecture Program manager, Seagate. “The SCSI protocol is the logical foundation for all modern storage systems, and SCSI Express provides a way of transporting SCSI over PCIe in a standardized fashion.”

Built for Seamless Co-Existence of SAS, SATA and SCSI Express

SCSI Express is a standardized interface definition comprised of several open industry storage standards and specifications. In addition to supporting the SCSI standard itself, SCSI Express utilizes two standards developed by the INCITS T10 Technical Committee: SCSI over PCIe (SOP) and a PCIe Queuing Interface (PQI). Implementing these standards with a serviceable, hot-pluggable drive bay known as “Express Bay” allows for multiple storage devices built on storage protocols such as SAS, Multi-Link™ SAS, SATA and SCSI Express to seamlessly coexist.

“The SCSI Express initiative applies the time-tested SCSI standard to PCIe-based storage devices,” said Jim Handy of market analyst firm Objective Analysis. “This implies that SCSI Express should share the strengths of the SCSI ecosystem's high availability to provide users low downtime while supporting backwards compatibility to protect the existing investment in today’s datacenters.”

STA member companies are actively working with the INCITS T10 Technical Committee to release the SOP and PQI standards so that products can be delivered to market in 2013. In addition, an open source Linux driver is scheduled for availability in the first quarter of 2013.

About STA

The SCSI Trade Association is a non-profit organization established in 1996 to provide a focal point for members to communicate the benefits of SCSI to the industry. STA promotes the understanding and use of Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) technology and influences the evolution of SCSI standards to meet future industry needs. The Association has a nine-member Board of Directors, which oversees the Marketing Communications and Technology Committees and all STA activities. To subscribe to Serial Storage Wire, STA's free Serial Attached SCSI newsletter, visit: http://www.scsita.org/serial-storage-wire/. Please visit the STA website at http://www.scsita.org, send an email to info@scsita.org or call the STA office at (415) 561-6273.