What is the relationship between M.2 and NVMe?

The relationship between M.2 and NVMe is that M.2 refers to a form factor, while NVMe is a data transfer protocol designed for accessing high-speed storage media. M.2 is a specific physical interface standard that allows for the installation of small expansion cards and solid-state drives (SSDs) in a compact space within devices such as laptops and desktop computers.

On the other hand, NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is a protocol that enables efficient communication between the storage device and the system's CPU, taking full advantage of the high-speed capabilities of solid-state drives connected via the PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interface.

Through this understanding, it’s clear that M.2 and NVMe serve different purposes in the architecture of modern computing systems; one defines the physical connection, while the other optimizes the way data is transferred over that connection.