Spotted at Computex: An AMD EPYC-Based System with 108 Intel Ruler SSDs
by Anton Shilov on June 6, 2019 11:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Servers
- AMD
- Trade Shows
- EPYC
- Computex 2019
- EchoStreams
- FlacheSAN
Intel’s ‘ruler’ SSD form-factor is meant to maximize density of solid-state storage devices and improve Intel’s competitive positions on two markets: storage and compute. As it turns out, AMD’s server platform can also benefit from Intel’s EDSFF E1.L drives thanks the number of PCIe lanes supported by the processor. In fact, at Computex we spotted one of the first AMD EPYC-based server carrying 108 E1.L ‘ruler’ SSDs.
EchoStreams’s FlacheSAN2N108N-XX is a 2U machine based on AMD’s EPYC ‘Naples’ with up to 32 cores accompanied by 16 DDR4 memory slots for up to 2 TB of RAM, several M.2 and PCIe slots for caching SSDs or accelerators, six Microsemi PCIe switches and so on. The key feature of the machine is the number of supported hot-swappable E1.L SSDs from Intel as well as storage capacities featured by 108 drives. At present, Intel offers DC P4500-series SSDs featuring up to 8 TB capacities, thus, the server can support a total capacity of up to 864 TB.
When it comes to performance, the FlacheSAN2N108N-XX offers up to 30 GB/s (or 240 Gbps) through RDMA NVMe-oF, it can support up to four NICs, though right now the company does not list exact models.
Intel developed its EDSFF (E1.L and E1.S) aka ‘ruler’ PCIe SSDs in a bid to increase NAND flash storage density in servers and make drives more thermally efficient. Meanwhile, because Intel’s current-generation Xeon Scalable CPUs have 48 PCIe lanes, whereas AMD’s existing EPYC processors feature 128 PCIe, AMD’s platforms can actually take more advantage of such SSDs than Intel’s own platforms.
The FlacheSAN2N108N-XX is already listed on EchoStreams’s website, so expect it to become available shortly. As for pricing, it will depend on exact configuration.
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Korguz - Thursday, June 6, 2019 - link
" That is not what I am implying and that attituded is why I don't care for AMD. But it does not mean if AMD fits the need then I will not used it. " i call BS here.. you dont use AMD because you love intel.. if amd had the better products from top to bottom.. you would STILL bash amd.. it shows in 90% of the posts you write on this site.. even when its clear amd is better then intel.. or the choice is clearly better to go with amd.. you still bash amd.. and praise intel... when amd does something before intel.. you downplay it.. and say something pro intel about it.. you are the definition of an intel fanboy...Brown bar - Thursday, June 6, 2019 - link
Maybe if you tried an AMD cpu you'd have more money and wouldn't have to use a cheap and utterly ridiculous sound bar.I feel for you though. Everyone calls you an Intel fanboy, but in reality, no one likes their boss.
Korguz - Friday, June 7, 2019 - link
brown bar...you obviously have seen his many other pro intel/intel is god of the cpu posts, have you ?? he is the poster child for the intel fanboy...
skavi - Thursday, June 6, 2019 - link
you typed that all out without considering that maybe versalife was joking?Korguz - Thursday, June 6, 2019 - link
skavi... HStewart.. doesnt understand that... he ONLY sees intel as the best.. even when intel isnt the best.. like now... he will always praise intel...Hifihedgehog - Thursday, June 6, 2019 - link
HStewart: The Mournful Tale of a Blind Intel FanboyDragonstongue - Thursday, June 6, 2019 - link
fact is, without x86 AMD would have never been "born" and without AMD and many years of fine tuning/pushing Intel to do better, along with their x64 that most folks using 64 bit computing at all owes AMD a high five, big time......Either way, Intel and AMD have very deep cross/dual licensing otherwise b0oth of them would be in courtrooms round the world non stop, they are not ^.^
DanNeely - Thursday, June 6, 2019 - link
I wonder what Intel and AMD PR would have to say about this.imaheadcase - Thursday, June 6, 2019 - link
Nothing if both are making money. :PLakados - Thursday, June 6, 2019 - link
It’s bragging rights for both, so the product existing is a boon to both. If it takes off in popularity then Intel can brag about how even their fiercest competitors see the value in their platform and AMD can Humble brag about how their PCIe lane support makes this a perfect fit.