SATA, mSATA, M.2, U.2, PCI-E... We already have a wide variety of SSDs, but Intel seems to be not enough, and we have created a new Ruler SSD based on the so-called 'EDSFF' ( Enterprise and Data Center SSD Form Factor) At first glance, it looks like a large M.2.
Recently, Intel once again demonstrated this new type of SSD, and this time it is more mature. It is a 1U server code-named 'Grays Peak', which can install up to 36 Ruler SSDs, each with a capacity of 16TB and a total capacity of 576TB.
Intel said that The future high-end version can easily achieve a set of system 1PB that is 1000TB of solid-state storage space.
However, Ruler SSDs are still based on traditional NAND flash memory and support NVMe, not Intel's Optane AWT non-volatile storage.
Ruler SSD support PCI-E 3.0 x4/x8System interface, 36, that is at least 144 PCI-E bus, but the server is equipped with two Xeon scalable processors, but can not provide so much, Intel uses the PLX8000 series bridge chip for this purpose.
Obviously, Intel Xeon will have to expand the PCI-E bus channel in the future, because if you use PCI-E x8, you can get 288 buses. You have to leave enough space for other expansion devices. You can't rely on the bridge chip.
