The UNH InterOperability Lab Forges Ahead with Multi-vendor Interoperability Through NVMe® Specification Virtual Test Events

DURHAM, N.H.--()--The University of New Hampshire InterOperability Lab (UNH-IOL), an independent provider of broad-based testing and standards conformance solutions for the networking industry, today announced the completion of its second virtual multi-vendor plugfest focused on NVM Express® (NVMe®) and NVMe® over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) technology test cases across eight unique devices and companies.

The UNH-IOL has been a pioneer in hosting Plugfests, or group test events, since its inception back in 1988. Their neutral lab environment brings together key players in the technology community to test devices across multi-vendor interoperability platforms. The lab has moved to virtual test events since the pandemic back in early 2020 as pre-testing devices remain critical for companies across all industries and technologies.

Specifically, NVMe technology plugfest events are designed to test against NVMe specifications to qualify them for the NVMe Integrator's List. The NVMe Integrator's List currently consists of configurations that have proven to be interoperable and conformant to NVMe specifications. The most recent of which included NVMe architecture testing for E1.S and E1.L form factor devices, sanitize testing, security, fused command and endurance group testing.

"The completion of the second virtual NVMe Plugfest has allowed companies to stay on schedule with their own internal testing and development,” said Kerry Munson, Operations Manager, Datacenter Technologies, UNH-IOL. “Being able to continue hosting our test events has posed to be a major accomplishment to the IOL and our members, as devices continue to be tested against NVMe technology conformance standards.”

The differentiation between a virtual or in-person Plugfest is teams are able to set-up devices, discuss and determine debugging issues, as well as provide overall support remotely. Many of the debugged issues are easily fixed. Participating companies have the option to reserve more time at UNH-IOL to perform more in-depth debugging. Response to the virtual plugfests has been positive, and participating companies as well as the IOL testing team, have been adapting well to the new format. The process for testing and collecting data remains the same as results and logs are still shared electronically.

“We are pleased to see the UNH-IOL continue their proven NVMe technology conformance and interoperability testing in a virtual format,” said Amber Huffman, NVM Express President. “With the shift to virtual testing, companies can easily take advantage of the robust testing services the UNH-IOL provides. This testing remains crucial to ensuring vendor products are conformant to the NVMe specifications, providing end-users with confidence that the purchased products successfully operate and allow them to reap all the benefits NVMe technology has to offer.”

As it currently stands, the UNH-IOL will continue to host virtual Plugfest events on behalf of the communities they support. As the broader data communications industry adopts remote third-party testing and virtual plugfests, the IOL is ready to provide resources, including their products and solutions, to fulfill their vision of creating an interoperable world by enabling the best engineers, entrepreneurs, and technology. To learn more about the UNH-IOL and their testing services, visit their website.

About the UNH-IOL

The UNH-IOL is dedicated to being the world's premier data networking resource. Beginning in 1988, the UNH-IOL has built a multimillion dollar testbed and developed testing solutions to help companies efficiently and cost effectively deliver products to market. UNH-IOL’s services fit the needs of the market, while maintaining broad, comprehensive interoperability and conformance testing of networking, data, telecommunications, and storage products. The industry relies on UNH-IOL’s extensive staff experience, standards-bodies participation, 28,000+ square foot facility, and 100+ students who represent the future of interoperability testing and verification.

About NVM Express

With more than 100 members, NVM Express, Inc. is a non-profit organization focused on enabling broad ecosystem adoption of high performance and low latency non-volatile memory (NVM) storage through a standards-based approach. The organization offers an open collection of NVM Express (NVMe) specifications and information to fully expose the benefits of non-volatile memory in all types of computing environments from mobile to data center. NVMe-based specifications are designed from the ground up to deliver high bandwidth and low latency storage access for current and future NVM technologies. For more information, visit http://www.nvmexpress.org.

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Contacts

Organization Contact:
UNH-IOL
Mara Johnson, +1-603-862-0901
Communications Coordinator
mara.johnson@iol.unh.edu
www.iol.unh.edu

Release Summary

The UNH-IOL has completed its second multi-vendor interoperability virtual event with the NVMe® specification across 8 unique devices and companies.

Contacts

Organization Contact:
UNH-IOL
Mara Johnson, +1-603-862-0901
Communications Coordinator
mara.johnson@iol.unh.edu
www.iol.unh.edu