[Hwcert-announce-list] Adding PCIe SSD block storage device support to the Red Hat Hardware Certification Program

[Engineering Partner Management]

Greetings Red Hat Partners,

We would like to highlight an upcoming change in our requirements for 
Red Hat Enterprise Linux hardware certification. Starting on July 1st, 
2015, we will begin requiring the testing of PCIe SSD block storage 
devices that are available with a system as integrated or optional 
components. You may begin testing and certification of these devices 
now, but all new system certifications submitted after the deadline will 
require coverage for the PCIe SSD feature if these devices are present.

This policy update also allows component certification of PCIe SSD block 
storage devices to begin immediately.

The new requirement only covers PCIe SSD storage devices that provide 
standard block storage. It does not cover devices with a dedicated 
function that goes beyond standard block-device storage, such as 
database accelerators. Those types of devices are not members of a Red 
Hat Enterprise Linux-supported class of hardware, so they are not 
required to be tested as part of our hardware certification program.

We value your ongoing participation in the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 
Hardware Certification efforts and thank you for your continued 
partnership. If you have any questions or comments regarding this policy 
update or its impacts to your certification activities, please do not 
hesitate to contact your engineering partner manager or engineering 
account manager.

Regards,

The Red Hat Hardware Certification Team