Molex Launches Groundbreaking OCP-Compliant KickStart Connector System
October 18, 2023 – Global electronic industry leader, Molex, announces the launch of the KickStart Connector System, designed to augment its portfolio of solutions in compliance with Open Compute Project (OCP) standards. This revolutionary system, recognized as the inaugural OCP-compliant offering, seamlessly integrates low-speed and high-speed signals along with power circuits into a single cable assembly, eliminating the requirement for multiple components. This innovation optimizes space utilization, streamlines upgrades, and delivers a flexible, standardized, and user-friendly peripheral connectivity solution to server and equipment manufacturers.
Bill Wilson, the New Product Development Manager for Data Communications and Professional Solutions at Molex, emphasized the significance of the KickStart Connector System, stating, "This innovation reinforces our commitment to simplifying and standardizing modern data centers. This OCP-compliant solution not only mitigates customer risk but also simplifies the validation process for individual solutions. Additionally, it provides an expedited and efficient pathway for critical data center server upgrades."
The KickStart Connector System's integrated signal and power systems adhere to the Small Form Factor (SFF) TA-1036 cable assembly, aligning perfectly with the Open Compute Project Data Center Modular Hardware Systems (DC-MHS) specifications. Collaboratively developed with OCP members, this system comes highly recommended by OCP's M-PIC specification for optimizing cable solutions in peripheral connectors.
Distinguishing itself as the exclusive OCP-recommended internal I/O connectivity solution for boot drives, KickStart empowers customers to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of storage signal speeds. This system supports PCIe Gen 5 signal speeds, facilitating data transfer rates of up to 32 Gbps NRZ. Moreover, plans for support of PCIe Gen 6 will ensure the capacity to meet the growing bandwidth needs.
The KickStart Connector System further boasts compatibility with the size specifications and robust mechanical structure of Molex's acclaimed NearStack PCIe Connector System, an OCP-recommended solution. Featuring a remarkably low mating profile height of just 11.10mm, this design optimizes space usage, enhances airflow management, and mitigates interference among different components. Furthermore, this innovative connector system simplifies the hybrid cable assembly pin arrangement, enabling seamless hard drive docking for enterprise and data center applications from KickStart connectors to Sliver 1C. This enhanced support for hybrid cables expedites integration with servers, storage solutions, and other peripheral devices, simplifying hardware upgrades and modular strategies.
The KickStart Connector System is ideally suited for OCP servers, data centers, white-box servers, and storage systems. By minimizing the need for multiple interconnect solutions and accelerating product development, this innovation simplifies operations. Molex's Data Center Product Development team collaborates with the Power Engineering team to optimize power contact design, thermal simulations, and power dissipation. As with all Molex's interconnect solutions, the KickStart Connector System benefits from world-class engineering, extensive manufacturing capabilities, and a robust global supply chain.
