NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express)
TLDR: NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is a high-performance storage interface protocol introduced in 2011, designed specifically for modern SSDs to maximize their speed and efficiency. Unlike older interfaces like SATA, NVMe leverages the PCIe bus to provide faster data transfer rates and reduced latency. It is widely used in consumer PCs, enterprise storage solutions, and cloud environments due to its scalability and superior performance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NVM_Express
NVMe achieves its performance benefits through optimized command structures, allowing parallel processing with up to 64,000 queues and commands per queue. This design makes it ideal for workloads that demand high I/O throughput, such as databases, virtualization, and gaming. Unlike AHCI, which was built for spinning disks, NVMe fully exploits the potential of flash-based storage by minimizing CPU overhead and providing lower latency.
In addition to performance, NVMe supports advanced features like namespace management, end-to-end data protection, and power efficiency. Linux offers robust NVMe support through native drivers, enabling seamless integration with tools like LVM and RAID. As storage technology evolves, NVMe continues to set the standard for fast and efficient storage, driving innovation across personal and enterprise computing.