October 13, 2026, Bengaluru, India – Microchip Technology is strengthening its data centre technology portfolio with new connectivity, storage and acceleration capabilities designed to address the growing infrastructure demands of artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing (HPC) and enterprise workloads.
The company, listed on Nasdaq under the ticker MCHP, is introducing enhancements across its Switchtec PCIe 6.0 switches, Flashtec NVMe solid-state drive (SSD) controllers and Adaptec SmartRAID 4300 storage accelerators. These developments aim to improve data transfer efficiency, strengthen storage security, simplify system management and support scalable computing environments.
As businesses expand AI deployments and manage increasingly data-intensive applications, infrastructure providers are seeking solutions that can deliver higher performance without significantly increasing power consumption, operational complexity or security risks.
Switchtec PCIe 6.0 Switch Targets High-Performance Data Centres
Microchip’s new Switchtec PCIe 6.0 Low-Lane-Count (LLC) switch is designed to bring next-generation PCI Express connectivity to systems with limited space and power budgets.
The device supports up to 64 PCIe Gen 6 lanes and 32 ports, alongside configurable lane arrangements of x2, x4, x8 and x16. This flexibility allows system designers to adapt connectivity to different server, storage and intelligent edge configurations.
An integrated Direct Memory Access (DMA) capability enables connected devices to transfer data directly between one another, reducing dependence on the host central processing unit (CPU). This can help improve resource utilisation in systems that require substantial data movement.
The switch also incorporates PCIe Multicast and partitioning capabilities, together with hardware root of trust and secure boot technologies. These features are intended to support secure and flexible infrastructure designs while helping manufacturers address the needs of increasingly distributed computing environments.
By combining PCIe Gen 6 functionality with a smaller footprint and lower power requirements, the Switchtec LLC device expands the potential use of high-speed connectivity across data centres and edge computing platforms.
Flashtec NVMe Controller Adds Post-Quantum Security Readiness
Microchip is also upgrading its Flashtec PCIe Gen 5 NVMe 5016 SSD controller to address evolving requirements for enterprise storage, hyperscale infrastructure and AI-focused deployments.
The enhanced controller adds support for the Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite 2.0 (CNSA 2.0), helping customers prepare for emerging post-quantum cryptographic requirements.
Its dual-port architecture supports highly available storage systems through redundant data paths and load balancing. These capabilities can help organisations design storage infrastructure that maintains availability and distributes workloads more efficiently.
Additional features include advanced virtualisation, Quality of Service (QoS) management and programmable functionality. Together, these capabilities give system designers greater flexibility to optimise storage performance for different applications and operational requirements.
The enhancements are also intended to accommodate evolving NAND flash technologies and high-capacity SSD designs, positioning the Flashtec platform for demanding enterprise, hyperscale and AI computing environments.
Adaptec SmartRAID 4300 Improves Storage Protection and Management
Microchip’s Adaptec SmartRAID 4300 family of NVMe RAID storage accelerators is receiving further updates focused on security, resilience, compatibility and day-to-day administration.
The enhancements introduce support for self-encrypting drives (SEDs) with local and remote key management. RAID 6 and RAID 60 options have also been added to strengthen data protection and provide additional resilience against drive failures.
The updated platform supports Linux, Debian, Ubuntu and Microsoft Windows 11 environments, broadening its compatibility across different deployment configurations.
Microchip has also introduced dynamic NVMe configuration for in-service management, persistent event logging and peer-to-peer rebuild support. These capabilities are designed to simplify maintenance, improve operational visibility and reduce CPU overhead during storage rebuild operations.
StorageCore API support provides another integration option, allowing organisations to incorporate SmartRAID management into third-party software through in-band host applications or customised out-of-band baseboard management controller (BMC) frameworks.
For enterprise IT teams, these improvements could help simplify storage administration while reducing service interruptions and strengthening control over data protection operations.
Why These Data Centre Upgrades Matter for AI Infrastructure
The expansion of AI infrastructure is increasing pressure on every layer of the computing stack, from high-speed interconnects to storage controllers and data protection systems.
PCIe Gen 6 connectivity addresses the need for faster communication between components, while NVMe storage technologies support the performance requirements of data-intensive applications. Hardware-level security, encryption and redundant storage paths are equally important as organisations scale their infrastructure and handle sensitive information.
Microchip’s latest portfolio enhancements address these requirements across connectivity, storage control and RAID acceleration rather than focusing on a single component category.
For data centre operators, server manufacturers and enterprise technology providers, the developments offer additional options for building systems that balance performance, scalability, security and operational efficiency.
As AI adoption continues to reshape infrastructure planning, technologies that simplify deployment and improve resource utilisation are likely to remain important considerations for the next generation of enterprise and hyperscale data centres.
Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where she leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape. She has written extensively on fintech, AI and emerging startups.