NVMe over TCP (NVMe/TCP)
Terms related to simplyblock
Definition: NVMe over TCP (NVMe/TCP) is a storage networking protocol that enables NVMe-based storage devices to communicate over standard TCP/IP networks. It allows high-speed, low-latency data transfer across Ethernet networks, making it a cost-effective alternative to NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) using RDMA.
How NVMe/TCP Works
NVMe/TCP extends the NVMe protocol to operate over standard TCP/IP networks without requiring specialized hardware like RDMA. By encapsulating NVMe commands into TCP packets, NVMe/TCP ensures compatibility with existing Ethernet infrastructure while delivering near-direct-attach storage performance.
Benefits of NVMe/TCP
- High Performance: Delivers low-latency, high-throughput storage access over standard networks.
- Cost-Effective: Eliminates the need for expensive RDMA hardware while maintaining efficiency.
- Scalability: Enables seamless scaling of storage clusters across data centers.
- Compatibility: Works with existing TCP/IP networks without requiring major infrastructure changes.
NVMe/TCP vs. iSCSI: Key Differences
NVMe/TCP is a successor to iSCSI protocol and is much more efficient than the old protocol. Here is a short comparison table.
| Feature | NVMe/TCP | iSCSI |
|---|---|---|
| Latency | Sub-millisecond | Higher latency |
| Performance | High IOPS, low CPU usage | Lower IOPS, higher CPU overhead |
| Efficiency | Optimized for flash storage | Originally designed for HDDs |
| Scalability | Better suited for modern workloads | Less efficient in large-scale deployments |
Use Cases of NVMe/TCP
- Cloud Storage & Data Centers: High-performance storage for cloud-based applications.
- Kubernetes Storage: Ideal for persistent storage in containerized environments.
- High-Performance Databases: Accelerates transactional workloads and analytics.
- AI/ML Workloads: Supports high-throughput storage access for data-intensive applications.
Simplyblock and NVMe/TCP
Simplyblock leverages NVMe/TCP to deliver high-performance, distributed block storage without complex infrastructure requirements. Our platform ensures sub-millisecond latencies and efficient resource utilization, making it ideal for modern, high-performance storage needs.
Explore More: Learn about NVMe Storage | What is Erasure Coding?
Questions and Answers
iSCSI was never designed for ultra-low latency flash storage. NVMe/TCP takes full advantage of modern NVMe architecture while using standard Ethernet, making it a natural upgrade for anyone running high-performance workloads or Kubernetes storage.
Benchmarks consistently show 30–50% higher IOPS and 20–30% lower latency when switching from iSCSI to NVMe/TCP. Whether you’re running transactional databases, real-time analytics, or video streaming, NVMe/TCP delivers smoother performance across the board.
NVMe/TCP fits perfectly into containerized environments thanks to its scalability and kernel-native drivers. Simplyblock’s CSI integration allows Kubernetes clusters to use fast, flexible, and encrypted storage with minimal overhead.
Because it runs on commodity Ethernet without needing specialized hardware like Fibre Channel or RDMA, NVMe over TCP enables high throughput and low latency at a fraction of the cost—perfect for teams scaling fast across hybrid or edge environments.
With Simplyblock, volumes can be provisioned as iSCSI initially and later switched to NVMe/TCP seamlessly. This allows a phased migration strategy that minimizes disruption while unlocking the performance benefits of next-gen storage.