NVMe SSD rack models for x360Recover: Enterprise-grade performance for demanding workloads

Nonvolatile memory express (NVMe) storage is presenting new opportunities for managed service providers (MSPs) and IT professionals to approach business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR). In response, ConnectWise is meeting that demand with three powerful additions to the x360Recover appliance lineup: the Rack 11000 NVMe, Rack 22000 NVMe, and Rack-45000  NVMe BCDR appliances. As environments grow more complex, these next-generation rack models give technology teams the high-speed, low-latency foundation needed to protect mission-critical workloads.

Until now, NVMe-based appliances from ConnectWise were available only through custom build-to-spec requests. Now, these models will be far easier to order and deploy, giving MSPs and enterprise IT departments a streamlined way to support data-intensive applications such as SQL databases, ERP systems, and large virtualization clusters. While NVMe is not required in every environment, ConnectWise partner feedback shows strong enthusiasm for a premium option designed for high I/O and performance-intensive use cases.

Of course, while these appliances represent the top tier of the x360Recover hardware family, they don’t replace existing hard disk drive (HDD) and solid-state drive (SSD) options; instead, they expand your toolkit. Whether you’re architecting BCDR for a lean small or midsized business (SMB) office or a complex enterprise workload, ConnectWise offers flexible deployment methods to right-size your BCDR systems for cost, security, and resilience.

Let’s break down what’s new, when NVMe is the right fit, and how MSPs and IT pros alike can leverage flexibility within the broader x360Recover ecosystem.

Understanding HDD, SSD, and NVMe for BCDR

To implement the right rack model, it’s essential first to understand how storage technologies differ and what each means for backup, local recovery, and long-term business continuity.

HDD: Value and capacity for standard workloads

HDD is a traditional storage technology commonly used in rack-mounted BCDR appliances. HDDs store data on spinning magnetic disks and access it using mechanical read/write heads.

Why it matters for BCDR:

• High capacity at a low cost: HDDs offer the lowest cost per Terabyte, which is essential for environments with long retention windows.
• Well-suited for standard SMB workloads: File servers, light virtualization, and general business operations typically perform well on HDD appliances.
• Reliable long-term storage: Because backups and replication data don’t always require ultra-fast read/write performance, HDDs remain a practical option for most organizations.

Why MSPs like it: It allows competitive pricing and ample storage for clients who don’t require failover of systems with high disk I/O workloads.

Why IT pros like it: It’s stable, familiar, and sufficient for workloads without intense input demand.

SSD: Balanced performance for growing environments

SSD storage uses flash memory instead of spinning disks, which eliminates mechanical components and significantly increases read/write speeds. Although SSDs are faster and more durable than HDDs, their performance is still limited by serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) or serial attached SCSI (SAS) interfaces, making them a strong middle-ground option for most modern BCDR appliances.

Why it matters for BCDR:

• Faster recovery performance: SSDs improve boot times, restore speeds, and responsiveness during local recovery or BCDR plan testing with much higher I/O throughput than HDD solutions.
• More durable and reliable: With no moving parts, SSDs offer lower failure rates and better long-term consistency.
• Ideal middle tier: For environments with moderate virtualization, SQL activity, or other high-disk I/O workloads, SSDs strike a balance between capability and affordability.

Why MSPs like it: It delivers premium performance without high costs, which is ideal for mid-sized clients.

Why IT pros like it: It’s predictable, faster than HDD, and handles most production workloads comfortably.

NVMe: Ultra-high performance for intensive workloads

NVMe is a next-generation flash storage technology that connects directly to the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) bus. This architecture bypasses the limitations of SATA and SAS, and delivers extremely low latency, high throughput, and superior concurrency, making it the highest-performing storage available in BCDR appliances.

Why it matters for BCDR:

• Fastest possible local recovery: NVMe dramatically accelerates boot-up operations, failover, and recovery times for mission-critical, high-demand applications.
• Handles intense workloads: High-transaction SQL databases, ERP systems, and large virtualization clusters operate smoothly, even during backup or replication windows.
• Supports modern performance requirements: For organizations with strict recovery time objectives (RTOs) or heavy I/O activity, NVMe ensures no performance degradation under load.

Why MSPs like it: It creates a premium BCDR offering for clients with advanced workloads or higher risk profiles, helping MSPs differentiate services and meet demanding SLAs.

Why IT pros like it: It guarantees consistency for critical applications, providing the speed, concurrency, and low latency required for modern, data-intensive environments.

Four NVMe storage challenges and how to overcome them

While NVMe is the top-tier storage available in modern BCDR appliances, it’s not the right fit for every environment. MSPs and IT pros need to be aware of the limitations and considerations before deploying an NVMe-based rack model. Fortunately, most challenges can be addressed with proper planning, architecture, and expectation-setting.

1. Higher costs compared to HDD and SSD

NVMe appliances are a larger investment than their SSD counterparts and are significantly more costly than SATA and SAS HDD appliances . This premium pricing reflects their enterprise-grade capacity and resilience, but it can be difficult to justify for environments that don’t fully leverage NVMe capabilities.

How to overcome it:

• Right-size performance to the workload: Reserve NVMe for SQL-heavy, I/O-intensive, or SLA-critical environments.
• Use a tiered appliance strategy: Deploy HDDs or SSDs for standard deployments, and use NVMe only where justified.
• Leverage purchasing/lease flexibility: ConnectWise makes both options available to ease cash flow and make NVMe more accessible.

2. Thermal and performance management

NVMe drives generate more heat and sustain higher throughput loads, which can strain insufficient cooling or outdated rack environments.

How to overcome it:

• Deploy in modern data center environments: Ensure adequate airflow and temperature control.
• Follow best-practice rack configuration: Avoid overcrowded racks or under-ventilated enclosures.
• Use vendor-optimized appliances: ConnectWise NVMe racks are engineered for thermal stability under high-performance loads to reduce operational risk.

3. Limited benefit during cloud-only recovery

NVMe accelerates local recoveries dramatically, but cloud recoveries, while fast, don’t leverage the on-premises NVMe speed directly. Some organizations may misunderstand how or when NVMe impacts their RTOs.

How to overcome it:

• Clarify local vs. cloud performance expectations: NVMe delivers the most significant benefit during on-prem failover when booting VMs and virtualizing locally.
• Use hybrid cloud backup strategies: For environments requiring fast local RTO and cloud resilience, NVMe combined with virtual office in x360Recover delivers the best of both worlds.
• Educate stakeholders on recovery workflows: Setting accurate expectations ensures NVMe is appreciated for the value it delivers and the ROI it generates.

4. Excessive performance for backup-heavy, compute-light workloads

Some workloads, such as large file shares with low changes, may stress storage capacity more than I/O throughput. NVMe doesn’t meaningfully improve performance in these cases.

How to overcome it:

• Scope the environment based on data change rate, or the frequency at which data changes, and concurrency, not just storage volume.
• Use HDD for capacity-first workloads, and SSD for moderate performance needs to avoid wasting NVMe resources when not required.
• Deploy NVMe where instant recoverability truly matters, such as transactional systems or latency-sensitive applications.

Flexible BCDR deployment with NVMe for MSPs and IT pros

With the introduction of NVMe-based rack appliances, ConnectWise is offering a new opportunity for a more tailored, comprehensive BCDR approach. MSPs protecting small businesses or IT teams managing complex enterprise environments can deploy exactly the right appliance and business continuity strategy to match compliance requirements, outcome goals, and budget with x360Recover from ConnectWise.

Wide range of appliance choices

x360Recover offers multiple performance tiers, including HDD, SSD, and NVMe rack appliances, so you can right-size protected systems without over- or under-provisioning.

Streamlined procurement with purchasing and leasing options
Acquire appliances in a way that best fits your financial and operational models.

• Purchase appliances up front for predictable hardware ownership.
• Lease appliances to smooth cash flow and align costs with monthly client billing.
• Mix acquisition models across clients or departments as needed.

Multiple deployment models for various environments

Support a wide range of deployment architectures with just one solution and vendor. Efficient consolidation allows you to build the exact BCDR strategy that each client, user, or business unit requires without adding cost or complexity. x360Recover supports:

• Endpoint backup for remote devices.
• Direct-to-cloud hardware-free backup and disaster recovery (BDR) with optional local cache backup.
• Hybrid cloud backup with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) and bring-your-own-cloud (BYOC) options to meet specific infrastructure needs.
• Full service BCDR backing up to a turn-key appliance and cloud, with application-aware, immutable backups.
• Public or private cloud server protection in Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google, or a private cloud with long-term retention.

Designed for Recovery First

No matter which appliance tier or deployment model is used, x360Recover is engineered to simplify and accelerate recovery:

• Chain-free backups eliminate time-consuming and costly chain dependencies, reduce corruption risks, and accelerate recovery by simplifying the process.
• Virtual office with runbooks enables rapid cloud failover by instantly virtualizing protected systems, allowing operations to continue during a disaster.
• AirGap protects backups from ransomware and accidental deletion by providing an isolated, immutable layer that prevents unauthorized deletion or modification.

Maximize the power of NVMe with x360Recover

With the expansion of x360Recover appliances into NVMe rack options, alongside SSD and HDD models, ConnectWise gives IT providers the flexibility to right-size BCDR for every workload. Leveraging x360Recover, MSPs and IT pros gain the tools and capabilities necessary to grow with the cybersecurity landscape while maintaining security, simplicity, and efficiency.

If you’re ready to experience how x360Recover can enhance your business continuity strategy, watch an on-demand demo or start your free trial to see what you could do with more flexibility.