ARMv8 servers have been around for a year or so, but normally only available to companies, mostly due to their very high price. LeMaker Cello board based on AMD Opteron A1120 quad core SoC have changed that since it’s priced at $299, but I’m not sure it’s shipping right now, and it’s not a complete solution fitted with memory and storage, and lacks an enclosure. The good news is that Softiron has just launched Overdrive 1000 server powered by AMD Opteron A1100 series processor, with 8GB DDR4 RAM, a 1TB drive, and a case.
Softiron Overdrive 1000 server specifications:
- SoC – AMD Opteron A1100 series quad core ARM Cortex A57 processor
- System Memory – 2x RDIMM slots fitted with 8GB DDR4 DRAM and expandable to 64GB
- Storage – 2x SATA 3.0 connector with one fitted with a 1TB HDD
- Connectivity – 1x GBase-T Ethernet
- USB – 2x USB 3.0 ports
- Power Supply – ATX power supply; 100~240V @ 50-60Hz
- Dimensions – 315 x 222 x 76 mm or 463 x 385 x 145 mm (Product page vs product brief info)
- Weight – 3.65 kg or 5.2 kg
A standard UEFI boot environment is used, and while you could install your distribution of choice, the server is pre-loaded with openSUSE Leap including a standard Linux GNU tool chain, platform device drivers, the Apache web server, MySQL, PHP, Xen, KVM Hypervisor, Docker, and OpenJDK 64-bit ARM.
I could not find much in the way of demo, but you can listen to ARM and Softiron representatives explaining why it’s a good choice…
If you’d like to go ahead, and get one, you can purchase Softiron Overdrive 1000 directly on the company’s website for $599 + shipping. In my case (Asia based), it would cost $87.06 via UPS, which looks not too bad considering the weight…
Via Andrew Wafaa
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress
