PCI-SIG warns that m2 and Samsung’s ngsff for SSDs are not compatible

The PCI-SIG warns consumers and manufacturers that use of the PCI-e m2 connector and form factor for SSDs in combination with an incompatible standard may result in damage. The organization points to ngsff annex nf1.

According to the PCI-SIG, the organization that oversees the PCI standard, “a third party” has developed a form factor called ngsff or nf1 that does not match the m2 specification. That third party, which is not mentioned by the PCI-SIG, is Samsung. The Korean tech giant introduced the ngsff format last summer under the name nf1 as the intended successor to the m2 form factor. Samsung then let it be known that it hoped that the Jedec organization would declare the format the standard.

However, the PCI-SIG warns that nf1 uses so-called no-connect pins for its own functionality, while those pins were reserved for future m2 specifications. “The use of the pins conflicts with the latest m2 specification,” according to the PCI-SIG, warning that damage could occur. The latest m2 generation is version 1.2, the specification of which must be completed this year.

The organization advises manufacturers to hardware prevent m2 clients from being able to connect to ngsff connections and vice versa, by adjusting the mechanical key of modules. According to AnandTech, the warning is somewhat exaggerated, partly because Samsung focuses on data centers with its form factor and there is little chance that storage media will accidentally end up in the wrong socket, because ngsff must be used in particular with trays where m2 SSDs do not fit. The site also writes that Samsung originally wanted to call ngsff annex nf1 ‘m3’, but the PCI-SIG did not agree. The site also writes that Jedec standardization seems to be off the table.