ARM servers have been around for a while, but usually it’s pretty hard to buy for individuals, and developer’s boards such as LeMaker Cello are never in stock, probably because the project has been canceled or suffered from further delays. However, if you have some uses for ARM servers and the cash that goes with it, Avantek Computer (UK) is selling some ARM based servers starting from an 1U Rack with a quad core Annapurna Alpine AL5140 processor up to Avantek H270-T70 with a 2U rack equipped with multiple Cavium ThunderX SoCs providing 384 ARMv8 cores to play with.
Avantek H270-T70 server key features and specifications:
- SoCs – 8x Cavium ThunderX CN8890 processors with 48 custom ARMv8 cores each
- System Memory – 64x DDR4 ECC slots for up to 8TB memory
- Storage – 16x 2.5” hot-swappable HDD/SSD bays
- Connectivity – 8x 40GbE QSFP+ fiber ports (Cortina CS4343 controllers)
- Power Supply – 1600W 80 PLUS Platinum redundant PSU
- 2U Rack System with 4 nodes with front access to the node trays
The server is compliant with ARM’s Server Base System Architecture (SBSA) and Server Base Boot Requirements (SBBR), which means you can load any compliant OS on the server such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12, FreeBSD 11 and others.
So I went through the check out process for Avantek 384 core server and I could go until the process payment step without issues, except I had to use a UK address. However, I did not press the “Place Order” button since 1. I don’t actually have a UK address (a forwarder could provide that), and 2. I don’t feel like spending around 15,000 GBP (~$19,000 US) for the system, plus whatever is needed for the hard drives and memory :). If your budget is also restrained, but would like a ThunderX server, you can opt to get Avantek 32-core 1U rack system for about 1,500 GBP (~$1900 US) and up.
Thanks to Sander for the tip.
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.
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