HighPoint RocketStor 4243AS: NVMe-oF platform for composable infrastructure launched

The RocketStor 4243AS is based on the WD RapidFlex NVMe-oF controller, which offers hardware-accelerated bridging to reduce latency in shared data environments. This architecture is designed to support the high throughput requirements of cloud workloads, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence.

To handle massive data transfers, the platform features two 100-GbE ports, providing a total bandwidth of 200 Gbps. The system is compatible with both RoCE v2 and TCP network environments. A notable technical feature is the allocation of a single x1 PCIe lane per drive. This specific technical decision aims to maximize the efficiency of the 100-GbE network ports while reducing the enclosure’s overall heat dissipation and power consumption.

Flexibility and Scalability

To avoid vendor lock-in, HighPoint takes a hardware-agnostic approach. The RocketStor 4243AS supports a “Bring Your Own Drive” (BYOD) model, which allows users to install any standard U.2 NVMe SSDs according to their specific capacity and budget requirements.

Unlike traditional scale-up storage arrays, which require significant upfront investments in multiple fabric ASICs, the RocketStor 4243AS utilizes a modular scale-out design. This single-silicon approach allows IT departments to incrementally add 24-bay units as capacity needs grow.

From a management perspective, the platform can be integrated into modern automation frameworks. By leveraging the Redfish API, the system can be managed via software-defined tools such as Ansible and Terraform, simplifying deployment across existing server fleets.

Application and Deployment

The platform was developed for data-intensive environments where traditional storage bottlenecks occur. In AI and machine learning workflows, the system can serve as a high-speed KV cache or as an inference offload layer to ensure that GPUs remain fully utilized. For high-performance computing, it offers high-parallelism burst buffers for parallel checkpoint writing. In addition, the RocketStor 4243AS is aimed at managed service providers looking to offer bare-metal storage-as-a-service, as well as software-defined rendering farms that require simultaneous, line-speed access to high-resolution 8K and 12K assets.

Future Roadmap and Availability

The launch of the RocketStor 4243AS marks the beginning of a broader CDI strategy for HighPoint. The company plans to introduce Gen5 NVMe-over-PCIe switch CDI nodes in 2026. These future additions will enable users to pool resources across PCIe and Ethernet fabrics within a single infrastructure.

The RocketStor 4243AS is scheduled to launch in May 2026.