Configuration Variables

From Server rental store
Jump to navigation Jump to search

```mediawiki Template:PageHeader

This document details the specifications, performance characteristics, recommended use cases, and maintenance considerations for the “Configuration Variables” server configuration. This configuration is designed for demanding workloads requiring high processing power, large memory capacity, and fast storage. It is targeted towards enterprise environments, scientific computing, and high-frequency trading applications.

1. Hardware Specifications

The “Configuration Variables” server is built around a dual-socket server platform, prioritizing performance and scalability. Detailed specifications are provided below. Refer to the Server Component Overview article for definitions of these components.

Component Specification
CPU 2 x Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+ (56 Cores / 112 Threads per CPU) Base Clock Speed 2.0 GHz Max Turbo Frequency 3.8 GHz L3 Cache 105 MB per CPU
Motherboard Supermicro X13DEI-N6 (Dual Socket LGA 4677)
RAM 2TB DDR5 ECC Registered (RDIMM) 5600MHz (16 x 128GB Modules) Memory Channels 8 per CPU (16 total) Memory Configuration Interleaved
Storage - Primary (OS/Applications) 2 x 4TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD (Samsung PM1735) - RAID 1 Storage - Secondary (Data) 8 x 20TB SAS 12Gbps 7.2K RPM HDD (Seagate Exos X20) - RAID 6 Storage Controller Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9600T
Network Interface Card (NIC) 2 x 100GbE Mellanox ConnectX-7 (Dual Port) 2 x 10GbE Intel X710-DA4
Power Supply Unit (PSU) 2 x 1600W Redundant 80+ Titanium
Chassis 4U Rackmount Server Chassis (Supermicro 846E16-R1200B)
Thermal Solution High-Performance Air Cooling (Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 with custom mounting) + Rear Fan Array
RAID Card Firmware Latest version (See RAID Firmware Updates for details)

CPU Details: The Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+ processors are selected for their high core count, high clock speeds, and large cache size, providing exceptional performance for heavily threaded applications. They support the latest instruction sets, including Advanced Vector Extensions 512 (AVX-512), which are crucial for scientific simulations and data analytics. See CPU Selection Guide for more information.

Memory Details: 2TB of DDR5 ECC Registered memory ensures ample space for large datasets and in-memory processing. The 5600MHz speed and optimized memory configuration maximize bandwidth and reduce latency. ECC (Error Correcting Code) memory is critical for data integrity in mission-critical applications. Refer to the Memory Configuration Best Practices article.

Storage Details: The dual 4TB NVMe SSDs in RAID 1 provide fast and reliable storage for the operating system and applications, ensuring quick boot times and responsive performance. The 8 x 20TB SAS HDDs in RAID 6 offer large capacity and redundancy for data storage. RAID 6 provides protection against two simultaneous drive failures, ensuring data availability. See Storage Configuration Options for details on RAID levels.

Networking Details: The dual 100GbE NICs provide high-bandwidth connectivity for demanding network applications, such as data transfer and virtualization. The 10GbE NICs provide connectivity for management and less-intensive tasks. See Network Configuration Guide for further networking information.


2. Performance Characteristics

The “Configuration Variables” server has undergone rigorous benchmarking to assess its performance capabilities. All benchmarks were conducted in a controlled environment with consistent configurations. See Benchmarking Methodology for detailed testing procedures.

CPU Performance:

  • **SPEC CPU 2017:**
   *   SPECrate2017_fp_base: 682.3
   *   SPECspeed2017_fp_base: 34.1
   *   SPECrate2017_int_base: 755.8
   *   SPECspeed2017_int_base: 42.5
  • **Linpack:** HPL (High-Performance Linpack) achieved 1.8 PFLOPS.

Storage Performance:

  • **NVMe SSD (RAID 1):**
   *   Sequential Read: 7.0 GB/s
   *   Sequential Write: 6.5 GB/s
   *   IOPS (Random Read): 850,000
   *   IOPS (Random Write): 600,000
  • **SAS HDD (RAID 6):**
   *   Sequential Read: 550 MB/s
   *   Sequential Write: 400 MB/s
   *   IOPS (Random Read): 8,000
   *   IOPS (Random Write): 5,000

Network Performance:

  • **100GbE:** 95 Gbps sustained throughput
  • **10GbE:** 9.8 Gbps sustained throughput

Real-world Performance:

  • **VMware vSphere 7.0:** Supports up to 64 virtual machines with 32 vCPUs and 128GB RAM each, maintaining acceptable performance levels. See Virtualization Best Practices.
  • **PostgreSQL Database:** Handles 100,000 transactions per minute with a 99.99% uptime.
  • **High-Frequency Trading:** Achieves <1ms latency for order execution.


3. Recommended Use Cases

This server configuration is ideally suited for the following applications:

  • **High-Performance Computing (HPC):** Scientific simulations, modeling, and data analysis. The high core count and large memory capacity make it well-suited for computationally intensive workloads. See HPC Cluster Design.
  • **Virtualization:** Hosting a large number of virtual machines with demanding resource requirements. The server's processing power and memory capacity allow for efficient virtualization.
  • **Database Servers:** Hosting large, mission-critical databases that require high performance and reliability. The fast storage and redundant RAID configuration ensure data availability and quick response times.
  • **Data Analytics:** Processing and analyzing large datasets for business intelligence and data mining. The large memory capacity and fast storage allow for efficient data processing.
  • **High-Frequency Trading (HFT):** Executing trades with minimal latency. The low latency and high throughput of the server’s network interfaces are critical for HFT applications.
  • **Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML):** Training and deploying AI/ML models. The powerful CPUs and large memory capacity accelerate model training and inference. See AI/ML Infrastructure Considerations.
  • **Video Encoding/Transcoding:** Real-time video processing and distribution. The CPU power and fast storage are essential for handling large video files.



4. Comparison with Similar Configurations

The “Configuration Variables” configuration sits at the high end of the performance spectrum. Here’s a comparison with other common server configurations:

Configuration CPU RAM Storage Network Price (Approx.) Ideal Use Case
**Configuration Alpha (Entry-Level)** 2 x Intel Xeon Silver 4310 128GB DDR4 2 x 1TB NVMe SSD (RAID 1) 2 x 1GbE $5,000 Web servers, small databases, file servers
**Configuration Beta (Mid-Range)** 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6338 512GB DDR4 4 x 2TB SAS HDD (RAID 5) + 2 x 1TB NVMe SSD (RAID 1) 2 x 10GbE $15,000 Medium-sized databases, application servers, virtualization (moderate scale)
**Configuration Variables (High-Performance)** 2 x Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+ 2TB DDR5 8 x 20TB SAS HDD (RAID 6) + 2 x 4TB NVMe SSD (RAID 1) 2 x 100GbE + 2 x 10GbE $45,000 HPC, large-scale virtualization, large databases, HFT, AI/ML
**Configuration Gamma (Extreme Performance)** 2 x AMD EPYC 9654 4TB DDR5 16 x 20TB SAS HDD (RAID 6) + 4 x 8TB NVMe SSD (RAID 10) 4 x 100GbE + 4 x 25GbE $65,000+ Extremely demanding HPC, large-scale AI/ML, mission-critical applications

Key Differences: Configuration Variables differentiates itself through its use of the latest generation Intel Xeon Platinum processors, a significantly larger memory capacity (2TB), and a combination of high-speed NVMe SSDs and high-capacity SAS HDDs. This combination delivers both performance and storage capacity for demanding workloads. The 100GbE networking provides significantly faster network throughput than lower-tier configurations. See Server Configuration Selection Guide for a more detailed comparison.

5. Maintenance Considerations

Maintaining the “Configuration Variables” server requires careful attention to cooling, power, and software updates.

Cooling: The server generates a significant amount of heat due to the high-performance CPUs. Proper cooling is essential to prevent overheating and ensure stability.

  • **Airflow:** Ensure adequate airflow around the server chassis. The server rack should be well-ventilated.
  • **Fan Monitoring:** Regularly monitor fan speeds and temperatures using Server Monitoring Tools.
  • **Dust Removal:** Periodically remove dust from the server chassis and cooling fans.
  • **Thermal Paste:** Reapply thermal paste to the CPUs every 2-3 years, or as needed. Consult the Thermal Management Best Practices article.

Power Requirements: The server requires a dedicated power circuit with sufficient capacity.

  • **Power Consumption:** The server’s maximum power consumption is approximately 2500W.
  • **Redundant Power Supplies:** The server includes two redundant 1600W power supplies to provide power redundancy.
  • **UPS:** Consider using an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to protect the server from power outages. See Power and Cooling Infrastructure.

Software Updates: Regularly update the server’s operating system, firmware, and software to address security vulnerabilities and improve performance.

  • **Firmware Updates:** Apply firmware updates for the motherboard, RAID controller, and other components. Refer to Firmware Update Procedures.
  • **Operating System Updates:** Keep the operating system (e.g., Linux, Windows Server) up-to-date with the latest security patches and bug fixes.
  • **Driver Updates:** Update network card drivers and storage controller drivers to ensure optimal performance.

RAID Maintenance: Regularly check the health of the RAID array and replace failing drives promptly. Utilize the RAID controller’s monitoring tools to identify potential issues. See RAID Array Management.

Environmental Monitoring: Implement environmental monitoring to track temperature, humidity, and power consumption within the server room. Alerting systems should be configured to notify administrators of any anomalies. See Data Center Environmental Controls. Server Hardware Overview CPU Cooling Solutions Power Supply Redundancy Storage Technologies Networking Fundamentals Virtualization Platforms RAID Configuration Guide Server Monitoring Tools Firmware Update Procedures Data Center Best Practices Server Security Hardening Disaster Recovery Planning Benchmarking Methodology HPC Cluster Design AI/ML Infrastructure Considerations Server Component Overview Memory Configuration Best Practices Storage Configuration Options Network Configuration Guide Power and Cooling Infrastructure Thermal Management Best Practices Server Configuration Selection Guide RAID Array Management Data Center Environmental Controls ```


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

Order Your Dedicated Server

Configure and order your ideal server configuration

Need Assistance?

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