NetApp 7.68TB NVMe U.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 RI SFF 2.5" SSD Kioxia CM5-R Series KCM5DRUG7T68 X4013A X90-4013A
The NetApp X4013A is the NetApp-branded version of the Kioxia CM5-R (KCM5DRUG7T68) enterprise NVMe SSD. While the hardware is identical to the standard Kioxia model, this version includes NetApp-specific firmware optimized for AFF and FAS storage arrays, ensuring full compatibility, performance tuning, and system-level integration.
Related Part Numbers
X4013A, X90-4013A, 108-00858+D3, KCM5DRUG7T68, SDFME43NHB01
Core Technical Specifications
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Capacity: 7.68TB
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Interface: PCIe Gen3 x4 (NVMe 1.3a)
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Form Factor: 2.5-inch U.2 (SFF-8639)
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Z-Height: 15mm
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NAND Type: 64-layer BiCS FLASH™ 3D TLC
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Dual Port: Yes (High Availability support)
Performance
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Sequential Read: Up to 3,350 MB/s
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Sequential Write: Up to 3,040 MB/s
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Random Read (4KB): Up to 770,000 IOPS
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Random Write (4KB): Up to 80,000 IOPS
Endurance & Reliability
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Workload Type: Read Intensive (RI)
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Endurance: 1 DWPD (Drive Write Per Day for 5 years)
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Enterprise Reliability: Designed for continuous 24/7 operation
Key Features
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Dual-Port NVMe Design:
Enables simultaneous access from two controllers—critical for high-availability (HA) enterprise storage environments
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NetApp Optimized Firmware:
Ensures seamless integration with NetApp AFF and FAS systems
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Efficient Gen3 Performance:
Balanced performance and power efficiency for read-heavy workloads
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Advanced NAND Technology:
Built with Kioxia BiCS FLASH™ for durability and consistent performance
Compatibility
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Primary Platform: NetApp storage systems
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Native Use Case:
- NetApp NS224 NVMe Drive Shelf
- AFF A400, A700, A800 controllers
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General Server Compatibility:
- Physically compatible with standard U.2 NVMe bays
- Requires NVMe-enabled backplane (not SAS/SATA)
Important Notes
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Sector Format Warning:
NetApp firmware often uses 520-byte sectors instead of standard 512-byte.
→ Reformatting (e.g., using sg_format) may be required for use in non-NetApp servers
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Dual-Port Usage:
Full functionality is typically only utilized in enterprise storage arrays
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Performance Comparison:
- Slower than PCIe Gen4 drives (e.g., Samsung PM1733)
- Still highly efficient for Gen3-based infrastructures
Use Case Guidance
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Ideal For:
- Data warehousing
- Web servers
- Read-heavy analytics workloads
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Not Ideal For:
- Heavy write workloads (consider Mixed Use / MU drives like CM5-V instead)
Summary
The NetApp X4013A (Kioxia CM5-R 7.68TB) is a reliable, enterprise-grade NVMe SSD tailored for NetApp environments. With dual-port capability, solid Gen3 performance, and optimized firmware, it is an excellent choice for high-availability, read-intensive storage applications.
