Advantech’s SKY-9234S3 Multi-Node Server Optimizes Infrastructure for Secondary Storage Applications

Location: United States

Background

As the wave of data-centric services and applications continues to transform industries, the market is witnessing surging demand for data services with enhanced capacity and performance. The need for robust computing and storage performance in server hardware has never been higher. 

For data service providers, performance, reliability, and scalability are priority considerations, with hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) gaining prominence as the emerging approach. HCI integrates computing, storage, and networking, eliminating operational silos and optimizing resource utilization for heightened efficiency. Complemented by a flexible scale-out design, tailored to evolving application needs, this convergence empowers organizations to navigate the complexities of data-centric services with unparalleled agility and efficacy.

System Requirements

Data service providers prioritize service quality and development flexibility, necessitating high-density, easy-to-deploy-and-maintain server hardware. The system must deliver efficient and reliable operation, while offering high scalability to integrate unique software and flexible configuration for future system upgrades.

Redundant design, especially for critical components, such as the power supply, cooling fans, storage, and on-board firmware, is essential for stability. An ideal sserver architecture should combine failover design principles with high performance memory, high-speed NVMe SSDs and high-capacity HDDs to strike the optimum balance between performance, capacity, and cost-effectiveness.

System Description

Advantech’s SKY-9234S3 is a 2U rackmount multi-node server designed to meet the complex demands of data service providers. Supporting 4 x independent server nodes in a single box, SKY-9234S3 features 5th/4th Intel® Xeon® scalable processors, 8 DIMM sockets using Micron Technology’s latest high performance DDR5 memory 4800MHz on RDIMM form factor, up to 4 x CPUs, 4 x PCIe cards, and 4 x OCP 3.0 mezzanine slots. This creates the flexibility to set up different workloads independently using shared infrastructure, reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) for effective scalability.

Built for hyper-converged infrastructure and high-performance computing applications, SKY-9234S3 features hot-swapping capabilities that allows the HDD/SSD tray, cooling fan, motherboard/node sled, and power supply to be replaced without interrupting operations. To further ensure continual and highly reliable operation, SKY-9234S3 is also equipped with redundant power supply units (PSU) and dual-rotor hot-swappable cooling fans for outstanding stability and reliability. Moreover, SKY-9234S3 incorporates Advantech’s unique dual/fail-over BIOS and BMC design solution, which can be customized according to the specific needs of data service providers.

Key Features

• High density: Accommodates 4 systems in a 2U box, optimizing space utilization
• Hot-swappable design: Allows component to be replaced without service interruptions
• Redundant design: Includes redundant power supply, dual-rotor cooling fans, and a failover BIOS for outstanding reliability
• Carrier grade, Advantech owned in house BMC firmware and customization: Offers carrier-grade BMC/IPMI code with customizations according to specific application needs 
• 8 x DIMM sockets that support Micron’s DDR5-5600 Series DRAM modules up to 128GB Extra U.2 NVMe SSD on nodes: Enhances system storage performance and supports high-speed metadata and cache functions
  

System Diagram

Conclusion

Advantech’s SKY-9234S3 multi-node server has emerged as a game-changer for data service providers in the United States. By addressing the specific market needs – from high-density requirements to hot-swappable design, redundant features, leveraging the Micron’s latest high performance memory solutions, and customization capabilities – Advantech has set a new standard for infrastructure solutions. In addition to high serviceability, SKY-9234S3 delivers the enhanced performance, reliability, and scalability necessary for secondary storage applications. 

Why Advantech

Advantech is a world-renowned provider of intelligent solutions. As well as a comprehensive product line, the company has extensive R&D capabilities and a global network, making them the ideal partner for data service providers. Advantech also provides L6 ~ L10 server manufacturing services and self-developed carrier-grade BMC/IPMI code that can be uniquely customized for specific applications. Moreover, Advantech’s Design-to-Order and Configure-to-Order teams support customers worldwide with development, integration, and implementation to provide a truly seamless and unified service. 

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