NVMe over TCP (NVMe/TCP)

NVMe over TCP (NVMe/TCP) is a transport protocol that lets systems access NVMe storage across standard Ethernet networks using TCP/IP. Unlike traditional direct-attached NVMe drives, NVMe/TCP separates compute and storage while keeping the same performance characteristics.

The result? High-speed block storage with low latency and high throughput—without needing Fibre Channel, RDMA, or custom networking stacks. For modern, distributed environments like Kubernetes or Proxmox, this means better scalability with fewer infrastructure constraints.

How NVMe/TCP Works – Without the Vendor Lock-In

NVMe/TCP builds on the same NVMe command set used by local SSDs but sends those commands over standard TCP/IP networks. It acts as a drop-in solution, allowing clients to connect to remote NVMe targets using regular Ethernet.

This removes the need for specialized fabrics like NVMe over RDMA (RoCE or InfiniBand), making it easier to deploy in existing data centers. It also aligns well with hybrid cloud and containerized environments, where hardware abstraction is key.

Since the protocol runs on standard network stacks, there’s no need for complex driver support or proprietary hardware. It’s lightweight, reliable, and doesn’t require learning a whole new ecosystem.

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NVMe/TCP vs iSCSI vs NVMe/RDMA – Performance Comparison

When it comes to networked block storage, there are a few competing technologies. Here’s how they compare in practice:

NVMe/TCP sits in a sweet spot—offering nearly the same performance as NVMe/RDMA, but with lower deployment friction and better compatibility with modern workloads.

Why NVMe/TCP Matters in Modern Infrastructure

More teams are moving toward disaggregated architectures—separating compute and storage so they can scale independently. NVMe/TCP fits perfectly into this model. It brings NVMe-level performance to shared, software-defined storage without sacrificing compatibility or adding cost.

With NVMe/TCP, you can run high-performance workloads on commodity hardware and still meet the latency and throughput demands of things like databases, CI/CD pipelines, and virtual machines. And because it uses the same TCP stack your infrastructure already relies on, it works in public cloud, private cloud, and edge environments.

What Makes NVMe/TCP a Better Fit Than iSCSI

• Lower latency – NVMe/TCP can handle smaller, faster operations more efficiently than iSCSI.
• Better parallelism – It supports multiple queues, which boosts performance under load.
• No performance tax on CPU – iSCSI’s software stack can drag down performance under stress.
• Easier to scale – NVMe/TCP can handle larger, more demanding workloads without needing protocol tuning.
• Native to modern workloads – It’s better suited for containerized platforms and virtualization.
• Simplified deployment – Unlike RDMA, it doesn’t require specialized NICs or switching gear.
• Improved fault isolation – TCP retries handle transient network issues more gracefully.
• Broad vendor support – Storage vendors are quickly adopting NVMe/TCP thanks to its open nature.

Use Cases – Where NVMe/TCP Delivers Real Results

Workloads that are sensitive to latency or require high throughput are the biggest beneficiaries of NVMe/TCP. This includes:

• Stateful applications like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MongoDB
• Virtualized environments such as VMware or Proxmox
• CI/CD pipelines running frequent builds and artifact storage
• Backup and disaster recovery workflows that depend on fast write performance
• Multi-tenant storage environments that demand isolation without sacrificing speed

Because NVMe/TCP runs over existing networks, it’s also ideal for storage migration or dynamic scaling in hybrid setups.

Monitoring and Observability – What to Track with NVMe/TCP

As with any storage protocol, monitoring NVMe/TCP is essential to catch issues before they affect workloads. Important metrics to keep an eye on include:

• Queue depth and submission rates
• Latency spikes or dropped packets
• CPU load from NVMe initiators
• TCP retransmissions or timeouts
• Volume-level IOPS and throughput

Many platforms expose these metrics through CSI drivers, but deeper observability often comes from integrating with Prometheus, Grafana, or tools like GKE or Rancher.

Simplyblock and NVMe/TCP – Built for Performance Without Complexity

Simplyblock’s platform is designed to take full advantage of NVMe/TCP. It offers a software-defined backend that delivers NVMe performance over standard Ethernet—without the cost or operational overhead of RDMA-based solutions.

It supports native CSI integration, thin provisioning, multi-tenant volume isolation, and fast recovery across zones. With support for KubeVirt, VMware, and bare-metal environments, Simplyblock makes NVMe/TCP practical, not just theoretical.

Whether you’re optimizing for performance or replacing legacy storage, Simplyblock turns NVMe/TCP into a reliable foundation for modern workloads.

Why NVMe/TCP Should Be On Your Radar

If you’re still relying on iSCSI or direct-attached storage in distributed setups, you’re likely leaving performance and flexibility on the table. NVMe over TCP brings modern storage capabilities into reach—without needing to rewire your infrastructure.

It’s fast, open, and built for how teams deploy today. From cloud-native applications to high-performance databases, NVMe/TCP delivers the kind of responsiveness and simplicity older protocols can’t match.

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