The relationship between the UNH Interoperability Labs (UNH-IOL) and NVM Express has grown over the last decade, marked by significant milestones in storage technology testing. In fact, the IOL has been at the forefront of storage technology testing dating back to 1995, starting with Fibre Channel, Serial Attached SCSI (SAS), and Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA). In 2011, when the NVMe Promoters Group was formed, key contributors from the group and the SATA specification reached out to the IOL to help establish compliance testing for this emerging technology. This early collaboration laid the foundation for the ongoing partnership that has shaped the NVMe ecosystem today.
NVM Express was established in 2014, and is a consortium that currently comprises over 100 companies. As a consortium NVM Express is responsible for development of the NVM Express Standards. Standards include NVM Express (NVMe) Specification, NVMe Management Interface (NVMe-MI) Specification, NVMe Boot Specification, NVMe I/O Command Set Specifications, and NVMe Transport Specifications.
IOL has long been regarded as a key partner in the storage industry, and this partnership with NVMe is no exception. From the early days of collaboration, the IOL has worked closely with the NVMe Promoters Group and other stakeholders in the NVMe ecosystem to create robust testing frameworks, develop cutting-edge software, and ensure compliance with evolving industry standards.
This partnership has proven invaluable, not only in helping to define NVMe’s role in modern storage technology but also in pushing the technology forward. The IOL’s deep expertise in storage testing and its close relationships with both NVMe and other industry players have made it the go-to lab for ensuring NVMe devices meet the strict requirements necessary for conformance and interoperability.
A History of Innovation in Testing: How IOL Became Involved with NVMe
NVMe was designed to take advantage of the high-speed capabilities of flash storage and the PCIe interface, creating the need for a new compliance framework. The IOL, with its established history in testing technologies like Fibre Channel, SAS, and SATA, was approached by key players within the NVMe Promoters Group to assist in drafting compliance test plans.
In 2013, the IOL began developing test specifications that would help define the testing of future of NVMe technology, ensuring that products would meet the necessary standards for conformance and interoperability. IOL's history of crafting detailed, precise test plans for storage technologies proved invaluable in helping to create the framework that would govern NVMe compliance testing.
The creation of first test plan in 2013 was one of the most exciting milestones in the IOL-NVMe collaboration. The plan was groundbreaking in that it addressed critical areas of NVMe technology that needed standardization. The first test plan released in 2013 tested the NVM Express Revision 1.0b Specification, and over the years and as the technology evolved, additional test plans were created for key test specifications including NVM over PCIe Transport Conformance, NVM Command Set Conformance, NVMe Base Specification Conformance, NVMe Management Interface Conformance, NVM over RDMA Transport Conformance, NVM over TCP Transport Conformance, and NVMe Interoperability test plans for both PCIe and fabrics transports.
These test plans formed the backbone of NVMe compliance testing and ensured that NVMe products adhered to the required standards for both performance and interoperability. They were crucial in establishing NVMe as a high-performance storage technology.
The Birth of the NVMe Integrators List (IL)
In 2013, another significant milestone occurred with the creation of the NVMe Integrators List (IL). This list was developed out of a vision by the NVMe Promoters Group to create a qualification list for NVMe devices that could be tested both at a formal plugfest event, and verified outside of formal plugfest events. The IL process allowed companies to schedule testing sessions at the IOL, eliminating the bottlenecks common in event-based testing and offering manufacturers greater flexibility in product qualification.
Since its inception, the Integrators List has continued to grow and evolve. As of 2025, the IL has listed 584 products, including NVMe and NVMe-oF products. This initiative has been vital for accelerating the testing and qualification of NVMe devices, allowing manufacturers to bring their products to market faster and more efficiently.
The Role of Plugfests: Testing and Collaboration
One of the most impactful aspects of IOL’s role in NVMe testing has been the hosting of plugfest events. These events bring together manufacturers to test their products in a controlled, real-world environment, ensuring interoperability between different devices and platforms.
Since hosting its first plugfest in 2013, the IOL has hosted numerous events, providing a platform for testing and collaboration. Each year, the IOL hosts two plugfests that bring together companies from across the globe. These events are critical in helping manufacturers identify and resolve interoperability issues before their products hit the market.
Over the years, the IOL has tested hundreds of products across multiple generations of NVMe technology. These plugfests have been a key driver of the NVMe ecosystem, ensuring that devices meet performance and compatibility requirements while fostering cooperation among industry players.
The Creation of IOL INTERACT and Revolutionizing NVMe Compliance
To further streamline the testing process and support manufacturers, the IOL developed IOL INTERACT™, a cutting-edge software tool designed to pre-test NVMe SSDs and NVMe-oF products before compliance testing at the UNH-IOL facility. INTERACT allows manufacturers to perform compliance testing in-house, ensuring that their products meet the required NVMe standards before submitting them for official qualification.
INTERACT has evolved significantly since its creation, expanding to test a wider range of NVMe configurations, including NVMe over PCIe®, NVMe over RoCE, NVMe over TCP, NVMe over iWARP, NVMe over FCoE, ZNS/PCIe®, Computational Programs and SLM Command sets. The tool has become an essential part of the testing process, ensuring that products are properly vetted and ready for inclusion in the Integrators List. This proactive approach helps manufacturers avoid surprises during official testing and expedites the process of product qualification.
Shaping the Future of NVMe
The relationship between IOL and NVMe has been a true success story in the storage industry. From the creation of the NVMe Integrators List to the development of tools like INTERACT, the IOL has played an essential role in shaping the future of NVMe technology.
The IOL continues to lead the charge in NVMe testing, ensuring that the technology remains robust, reliable, and compatible. With two plugfests hosted annually, the IOL remains a key partner in the ongoing development and expansion of the NVMe ecosystem. As NVMe evolves, the IOL’s efforts will continue to drive innovation in storage technology. Whether through crafting new test plans, hosting events, or providing cutting-edge testing software, IOL will remain a cornerstone of the NVMe community, paving the way for faster, more efficient storage solutions for years to come.