Collaborating for Success

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```mediawiki DISPLAYTITLECollaborating for Success: A Deep Dive into a High-Performance Server Configuration}}

Introduction

The "Collaborating for Success" server configuration is a high-performance, scalable system designed to excel in demanding enterprise workloads. This document provides a comprehensive technical overview, covering hardware specifications, performance benchmarks, recommended use cases, comparisons to similar configurations, and essential maintenance considerations. This server is engineered for applications requiring significant processing power, large memory capacity, and rapid storage access, prioritizing both performance and reliability. It is intended to be a workhorse for organizations collaborating on data-intensive projects.

1. Hardware Specifications

This section details the core components of the "Collaborating for Success" server. All components have been selected for compatibility, performance, and enterprise-grade reliability. A full Bill of Materials (BOM) is available on the Internal Wiki:BOM Database.

CPU

  • **Processor:** Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6348 (28 Cores / 56 Threads per CPU)
  • **Base Clock Speed:** 2.6 GHz
  • **Max Turbo Frequency:** 3.5 GHz
  • **Cache:** 42 MB Intel Smart Cache per CPU
  • **TDP:** 270W per CPU
  • **Socket:** LGA 4189
  • **Instruction Set Extensions:** AVX-512, Intel VT-x, Intel VT-d
  • **CPU Cooling:** High-Performance Air Cooling - Internal Wiki:Cooling Solutions details our approved cooling options. Liquid cooling is available as a configurable option (see section 5).

Memory (RAM)

  • **Type:** 256GB DDR4 ECC Registered (RDIMM)
  • **Speed:** 3200 MHz
  • **Configuration:** 8 x 32GB Modules
  • **Channels:** 8 (Dual CPU configuration maximizes memory bandwidth)
  • **Rank:** 2R (Dual-Rank modules for optimized performance)
  • **Error Correction:** ECC (Error Correcting Code) for data integrity - see Internal Wiki:ECC Memory for details.
  • **Memory Controller:** Integrated within the Intel Xeon Gold 6348 processors.

Storage

  • **Primary Storage (OS & Applications):** 2 x 1TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD (Samsung PM1733) in RAID 1
   *   **Interface:** PCIe 4.0 x4
   *   **Read Speed (Sequential):** Up to 7,000 MB/s
   *   **Write Speed (Sequential):** Up to 4,500 MB/s
   *   **IOPS (Random Read):** Up to 650K
   *   **IOPS (Random Write):** Up to 500K
  • **Secondary Storage (Data):** 4 x 16TB SAS 12Gb/s 7.2K RPM HDD (Seagate Exos X16) in RAID 5
   *   **Interface:** SAS 12Gb/s
   *   **Cache:** 256MB
   *   **Average Latency:** 7.0ms
   *   **Sustained Transfer Rate:** Up to 260 MB/s
  • **RAID Controller:** Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9460-8i with 8GB NV Cache
   *   **RAID Levels Supported:** RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and more.  Configuration detailed in Internal Wiki:RAID Configuration Guide.

Networking

  • **Onboard Network Interface:** Dual 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) ports (Intel X710-DA4)
  • **Optional Add-in Card:** Mellanox ConnectX-6 100GbE Network Adapter (Single or Dual Port) - See Internal Wiki:Networking Options
  • **MAC Address:** Unique MAC address assigned to each port.

Expansion Slots

  • **PCIe 4.0 x16:** 3 slots
  • **PCIe 4.0 x8:** 2 slots
  • **PCIe 3.0 x4:** 1 slot (for legacy compatibility)

Power Supply

  • **Power Supply Unit (PSU):** Redundant 1600W 80+ Platinum Certified
  • **Input Voltage:** 100-240V AC
  • **Output Voltage:** +12V, +5V, +3.3V, -12V, +5VSB
  • **Efficiency:** Up to 94% at 50% load
  • **Hot-Swappable:** Yes
  • **Power Cabling:** Standard IEC C13 connectors.

Chassis

  • **Form Factor:** 2U Rackmount
  • **Material:** High-Strength Steel
  • **Dimensions:** 17.2” (W) x 3.5” (H) x 28.0” (D)
  • **Drive Bays:** 4 x 3.5” Hot-Swappable HDD Bays, 2 x 2.5” Internal Bays for SSDs.
  • **Front Panel:** LCD display for system status, power button, USB ports.

Operating System Support

  • Windows Server 2022
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8/9
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3/SP4
  • VMware ESXi 7.0/8.0
  • Citrix Hypervisor 8.2

2. Performance Characteristics

The "Collaborating for Success" configuration is designed to deliver exceptional performance for demanding workloads. The following benchmarks provide a snapshot of its capabilities. All benchmarks were conducted in a controlled environment with consistent methodology. See Internal Wiki:Benchmark Methodology for complete details.

CPU Benchmarks

| Benchmark | Score | |-----------------|-------| | Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core) | 32,500 | | Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core) | 48,000 | | SPEC CPU 2017 (Rate1) | 150 (approximate) |

Storage Benchmarks

| Benchmark | Read Speed (MB/s) | Write Speed (MB/s) | IOPS (Read) | IOPS (Write) | |-----------------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------|--------------| | CrystalDiskMark (NVMe) | 6,800 | 4,300 | 750,000 | 600,000 | | Iometer (RAID 5) | 240 | 220 | 15,000 | 12,000 |

Network Benchmarks

  • **10GbE Throughput:** 9.4 Gbps (measured using iPerf3)
  • **100GbE Throughput (with optional adapter):** 95 Gbps (measured using iPerf3)

Real-World Performance

  • **Virtualization (VMware ESXi):** Supports up to 50 virtual machines with 4 vCPUs and 16GB RAM each without significant performance degradation.
  • **Database Server (PostgreSQL):** Handles over 10,000 transactions per second with moderate query complexity.
  • **Data Analytics (Spark):** Demonstrates excellent performance in large-scale data processing tasks. See Internal Wiki:Spark Performance Tuning for optimization tips.
  • **Software Compilation:** Compiles large codebases (e.g., Linux kernel) significantly faster than lower-powered configurations.

3. Recommended Use Cases

This configuration is ideally suited for the following applications:

  • **Virtualization Host:** Excellent for running a large number of virtual machines, supporting diverse workloads.
  • **Database Server:** Handles demanding database applications with high transaction rates and complex queries.
  • **Data Analytics:** Perfect for running data analytics platforms like Hadoop, Spark, and Tableau.
  • **High-Performance Computing (HPC):** Suitable for scientific simulations, financial modeling, and other computationally intensive tasks.
  • **Video Encoding/Transcoding:** Handles high-resolution video processing with ease.
  • **Software Development & Testing:** Provides the necessary resources for compiling, testing, and deploying software applications.
  • **Collaboration Platforms:** Powers collaborative software suites requiring significant processing and storage resources. This is the origin of the server's name.
  • **AI/Machine Learning:** Can be used for training and deploying machine learning models (though dedicated GPU acceleration is recommended for optimal performance – see Internal Wiki:GPU Acceleration).

4. Comparison with Similar Configurations

The "Collaborating for Success" configuration occupies a sweet spot in terms of performance and cost. The following table compares it to other common server configurations.

CPU | RAM | Storage | Networking | Estimated Cost |
Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6348 | 256GB DDR4 | 1TB NVMe (RAID 1) + 64TB SAS (RAID 5) | Dual 10GbE | $15,000 | Dual Intel Xeon Silver 4310 | 64GB DDR4 | 500GB NVMe (RAID 1) + 8TB SAS (RAID 1) | Dual 1GbE | $7,000 | Dual Intel Xeon Platinum 8380 | 512GB DDR4 | 2TB NVMe (RAID 1) + 128TB SAS (RAID 5) | Dual 100GbE | $30,000+ | Dual AMD EPYC 7543 | 256GB DDR4 | 1TB NVMe (RAID 1) + 64TB SAS (RAID 5) | Dual 10GbE | $13,000 |
    • Key Differences:**
  • **Entry-Level Server:** Significantly lower performance and capacity. Suitable for small businesses with basic server needs.
  • **High-End Server:** Offers superior performance and capacity but comes at a substantially higher cost. Best suited for extremely demanding workloads.
  • **AMD EPYC Equivalent:** Provides comparable performance to the Intel configuration at a potentially lower cost, depending on market conditions. AMD EPYC offers a different architecture and may be better suited for certain workloads – see Internal Wiki:Intel vs AMD Server Processors.

5. Maintenance Considerations

Proper maintenance is crucial for ensuring the long-term reliability and performance of the "Collaborating for Success" server.

  • **Cooling:** The dual CPUs generate significant heat. Ensure adequate airflow within the server rack. Regularly clean dust from fans and heat sinks. Consider liquid cooling for environments with limited airflow or exceptionally high ambient temperatures. Monitor CPU temperatures using Internal Wiki:Server Monitoring Tools.
  • **Power Requirements:** The server requires a dedicated 20A circuit. Ensure the power supply units are functioning correctly and that the power cabling is secure. Utilize a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to protect against power outages.
  • **Storage Monitoring:** Regularly monitor the health of the storage drives using the RAID controller's management interface. Replace failing drives promptly to prevent data loss.
  • **Firmware Updates:** Keep the server's firmware (BIOS, RAID controller, network adapters) up to date to address security vulnerabilities and improve performance. Follow the update procedures outlined in Internal Wiki:Firmware Update Procedures.
  • **Operating System Updates:** Install operating system and application updates regularly to maintain security and stability.
  • **Physical Security:** Secure the server in a locked server room with controlled access.
  • **Regular Backups:** Implement a robust backup strategy to protect against data loss.
  • **Environmental Monitoring:** Monitor temperature and humidity within the server room to prevent equipment damage. Consider using a remote monitoring system.
  • **Fan Redundancy:** The chassis includes redundant fans. Verify that all fans are operational during routine inspections.

Conclusion

The "Collaborating for Success" server configuration offers a powerful and reliable platform for demanding enterprise workloads. Its combination of high-performance CPUs, ample memory, fast storage, and robust networking capabilities makes it an excellent choice for organizations seeking to maximize their computing resources. By following the maintenance guidelines outlined in this document, you can ensure the long-term stability and performance of this critical infrastructure component. ```


Intel-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Core i7-6700K/7700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB CPU Benchmark: 8046
Core i7-8700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB CPU Benchmark: 13124
Core i9-9900K Server 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB CPU Benchmark: 49969
Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Workstation 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000

AMD-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Ryzen 5 3600 Server 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 17849
Ryzen 7 7700 Server 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 35224
Ryzen 9 5950X Server 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 46045
Ryzen 9 7950X Server 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 63561
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 9454P Server 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe

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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️