Server Colocation Services
Technical Deep Dive: Server Configuration for Colocation Services (Standard Density Tier)
This document provides a comprehensive technical analysis and specification guide for the standardized server configuration designated for Colocation Services. This configuration is engineered to provide a balance of high-density compute power, reliable storage performance, and robust network connectivity suitable for a wide range of enterprise workloads within a managed data center environment.
1. Hardware Specifications
The Standard Density Tier colocation server configuration is built upon enterprise-grade components designed for 24/7 operation, high availability, and optimized power efficiency. The chassis selected is typically a 2U rackmount form factor, balancing internal component density with necessary airflow characteristics.
1.1 System Platform and Chassis
The foundation of this configuration is a validated server platform engineered for maximum hardware compatibility and serviceability.
| Component | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis Form Factor | 2U Rackmount | Standardized mounting for 19-inch racks. |
| Motherboard (System Board) | Dual-Socket, Proprietary Enterprise Grade (e.g., Supermicro X13 series equivalent) | Supports latest generation Intel Xeon Scalable or AMD EPYC. |
| Power Supplies (PSU) | 2 x 1600W (1+1 Redundant) | 80 PLUS Platinum certified minimum (92%+ efficiency at 50% load). |
| Management Controller | Dedicated BMC (e.g., ASPEED AST2600) | IPMI 2.0, Redfish compliant, 1GbE dedicated out-of-band management port. BMC functions critical for remote power cycling and monitoring. |
| Cooling System | High-Static Pressure Fans (N+1 Redundancy) | Optimized for front-to-back airflow, supporting up to 35°C ambient intake temperatures. |
1.2 Central Processing Units (CPU)
The configuration mandates high core count processors to maximize virtualization density and throughput for general-purpose enterprise applications.
| Parameter | Specification (Minimum Baseline) | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Processor Model Family | Intel Xeon Gold 65xx Series or AMD EPYC 9004 Series | Optimized for balanced core count vs. clock speed for virtualization. |
| Quantity | 2 Sockets | Dual-socket configuration ensures high memory bandwidth and I/O capacity. |
| Cores per Socket (Minimum) | 32 Physical Cores (64 Total Logical Cores) | Provides ample Thread capacity for dense VM deployments. |
| Base Clock Speed | $\ge 2.0$ GHz | Ensures consistent performance under sustained load. |
| L3 Cache (Total) | $\ge 192$ MB Shared Cache | Critical for minimizing memory latency in high-transaction workloads. |
| TDP (Max per CPU) | $\le 250$ W | Balancing performance with thermal dissipation limits within the colocation density constraints. |
Reference CPU Performance Metrics for detailed workload analysis.
1.3 Memory Subsystem (RAM)
Memory capacity and speed are prioritized to support large in-memory databases and extensive virtual machine hosting environments.
| Parameter | Specification | Configuration Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Total Capacity | 1024 GB (1 TB) | Configured for optimal memory channel utilization. |
| DIMM Type | DDR5 ECC Registered (RDIMM) | Error-Correcting Code is mandatory for data integrity. |
| Speed | 4800 MT/s or higher | Maximizing data transfer rates across the dual-socket architecture. |
| Configuration | 32 x 32 GB DIMMs (Assuming 32 DIMM slots total) | Populated across all available memory channels (e.g., 8 channels per CPU, 16 total channels). |
| Memory Controller | Integrated into CPU (IMC) | Utilization of all available memory channels is paramount for bandwidth. Refer to Memory Bandwidth Optimization. |
1.4 Storage Subsystem
The storage configuration utilizes a tiered approach, prioritizing high-speed NVMe for operating systems and primary applications, backed by high-capacity SAS SSDs for bulk storage resilience.
1.4.1 Boot and System Storage
| Component | Specification | Rationale |- | Boot Drives (OS/Hypervisor) | 2 x 960 GB NVMe U.2/M.2 SSD (Enterprise Grade) | Configured in RAID 1 for high availability of the host OS or hypervisor installation. |- | Interface | PCIe Gen 4/5 | Maximum throughput for boot and log operations.
1.4.2 Primary Data Storage (SSD Array)
This array is typically presented via a dedicated Hardware RAID Controller (e.g., Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 95xx series) with 8GB+ cache and battery backup unit (BBU/CVR).
| Component | Specification | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Drive Type | 2.5" SAS 12 Gbps SSD (Mixed Endurance Tier) | Enterprise-grade, high IOPS capability. |
| Capacity per Drive | 3.84 TB | Standardized capacity for easier scaling. |
| Total Raw Capacity | 30.72 TB (8 x 3.84 TB Drives) | |
| RAID Level | RAID 10 (6 Data + 2 Hot Spare) | Balances performance, capacity, and redundancy. |
| Usable Capacity (Approx.) | 15.36 TB | Post-RAID 10 overhead. |
1.4.3 Secondary Storage (Optional/Expansion)
For archival or less frequently accessed, high-volume data, the remaining drive bays (typically 4-6 bays remaining in a 24-bay chassis) can be populated with high-capacity SATA/SAS HDDs (e.g., 18TB+ drives) configured in RAID 6. This flexibility is key to colocation service customization.
1.5 Networking Interface Cards (NICs)
Network connectivity is critical for colocation services, demanding high-speed, redundant interfaces.
| Port Function | Interface Speed | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Data Uplink (Active/Active) | 2 x 25 GbE SFP28 | Configured for LACP teaming across two distinct Top-of-Rack (ToR) switches. |
| Secondary/Storage Network (iSCSI/NVMe-oF) | 2 x 10 GbE Base-T (RJ45) | Dedicated path for storage traffic isolation. |
| Management Network (OOB) | 1 x 1 GbE RJ45 | Dedicated to the BMC, separate from the primary data fabric. |
The configuration assumes the use of Virtual Switching technology (e.g., SR-IOV capable NICs) to further partition network resources for guest operating systems, per Data Center Networking Standards.
---
2. Performance Characteristics
Performance validation involves rigorous testing across compute, memory, and I/O subsystems to ensure the configuration meets the Service Level Objectives (SLOs) promised to colocation tenants.
2.1 Compute Benchmarking
Synthetic benchmarks provide a baseline understanding of raw processing capability.
2.1.1 SPECrate 2017 Integer Benchmark
This benchmark measures throughput capability across multi-threaded, compute-intensive tasks, highly relevant for batch processing and compilation workloads.
| Metric | Result (Dual 32C/64T CPUs) | Comparison Factor (Baseline 1-Gen Older Server) |
|---|---|---|
| SPECrate Base Score | $\approx 480$ | $\approx 1.45\times$ improvement |
| Power Efficiency (Score/Watt) | Optimized for $\ge 0.8$ | Critical for power-constrained colocation environments. |
This performance level allows for the safe provisioning of 128-256 virtual CPUs (vCPUs) across the host, depending on the workload profile (see Virtualization Density Planning).
2.2 Memory Throughput and Latency
Memory performance is often the bottleneck in modern enterprise workloads.
2.2.1 Memory Bandwidth
Using specialized tools (e.g., STREAM benchmark), the aggregate memory bandwidth is measured. With 16 memory channels populated with DDR5-4800 DIMMs, the theoretical peak bandwidth is substantial.
- **Theoretical Peak Bandwidth:** $\approx 614.4$ GB/s (Aggregate across both CPUs).
- **Achieved Sustained Bandwidth (Read):** $\approx 540$ GB/s.
This high bandwidth is vital for data-intensive operations such as large-scale analytics and in-memory caches. Latency measurements (measured via specialized memory access patterns) indicate an average access time of $< 70$ nanoseconds (ns) for local node memory access, which is excellent for this generation of hardware.
2.3 Storage Input/Output (I/O) Performance
The performance of the NVMe-backed RAID 10 array dictates responsiveness for transactional systems.
2.3.1 IOPS Performance
Testing utilizes a 128KB block size, 100% random read/write mix (4K block sizes are included for transactional analysis).
| Workload Type | Sequential Read (MB/s) | Sequential Write (MB/s) | Random Read IOPS (4K Block) | Random Write IOPS (4K Block) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Performance | $\approx 14,000$ | $\approx 10,500$ | $\approx 650,000$ | $\approx 480,000$ |
| Sustained (70% Utilization) | $\approx 11,000$ | $\approx 8,500$ | $\approx 450,000$ | $\approx 320,000$ |
The system's ability to sustain nearly half a million random writes per second is a significant differentiator for SQL and NoSQL database hosting. Storage Performance Benchmarking offers further context on these metrics.
2.4 Network Latency and Throughput
Testing focuses on intra-rack and inter-rack communication over the 25 GbE fabric.
- **Intra-Rack Latency (Host-to-Host via ToR Switch):** $< 15$ microseconds ($\mu$s) for standard TCP/IP traffic.
- **Throughput:** Near line-rate performance confirmed at 25 Gbps for bulk transfers using jumbo frames (MTU 9000).
The dual 25 GbE uplinks provide crucial redundancy and the capacity to handle high-volume network traffic generated by modern container orchestration platforms.
---
3. Recommended Use Cases
The Standard Density Tier configuration is highly versatile, striking an optimal balance between compute density, memory capacity, and high-speed I/O. It is not optimized for ultra-high-density GPU workloads (which require a different GPU Server Configuration), nor is it intended purely for archival storage.
3.1 Enterprise Virtualization Hosting
This is the primary target for this setup. The 128+ logical threads, 1TB of RAM, and fast NVMe storage make it ideal for hosting a consolidated environment.
- **VM Density:** Capable of reliably hosting 50-100 general-purpose virtual machines (VMs) running standard enterprise software (e.g., Windows Server, Linux distributions).
- **Hypervisor Support:** Fully compatible with VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and KVM distributions.
3.2 Database and Data Warehousing
The strong memory capacity and high IOPS storage subsystem are perfectly suited for transactional databases.
- **OLTP Systems:** Hosting high-concurrency SQL Server, PostgreSQL, or MySQL instances where low latency reads/writes are critical. The 1TB RAM allows for significant database caching, reducing reliance on even the fast NVMe array.
- **Medium-Scale Data Warehousing:** Suitable for analytical workloads that benefit from high memory bandwidth, such as those using in-memory processing engines.
3.3 Application and Web Servers (High Traffic)
For organizations running demanding application stacks (e.g., complex Java application servers, high-volume e-commerce backends).
- **Load Balancing & Reverse Proxy:** Excellent platform for hosting high-performance load balancers (like NGINX Plus or HAProxy) managing traffic for downstream services.
- **Container Orchestration:** A robust bare-metal host for Kubernetes nodes, capable of managing hundreds of containers, leveraging the substantial core count and fast storage for container image loading and persistent volumes. See Kubernetes Node Sizing Guidelines.
3.4 Development and Staging Environments
For large development teams requiring high-fidelity staging environments that mirror production performance characteristics. The ease of provisioning via the management controller facilitates rapid environment deployment and teardown.
---
4. Comparison with Similar Configurations
To contextualize the Standard Density Tier, it is compared against two common alternatives found in colocation environments: the Low-Density/High-Memory configuration and the High-Density/Compute-Focused configuration.
4.1 Configuration Matrix Comparison
| Feature | Standard Density Tier (This Config) | Low Density / High Memory (LD/HM) | High Density / Compute Focus (HD/CF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | 2U | 4U or 5U (for greater disk/RAM capacity) | 1U (Max density, limited cooling) |
| CPU Cores (Total) | 64 Cores (32C/CPU) | 48 Cores (24C/CPU) | 96 Cores (48C/CPU) |
| Total RAM | 1024 GB DDR5 | 2048 GB DDR5 | 512 GB DDR5 |
| Primary Storage Type | RAID 10 NVMe SSD (15TB Usable) | RAID 6 SATA HDD (60TB Usable) | RAID 1 NVMe (5TB Usable) |
| Network Uplink | 2 x 25 GbE | 2 x 10 GbE | 4 x 25 GbE |
| Power Draw (Peak Est.) | $\approx 1000$ W | $\approx 850$ W | $\approx 1200$ W |
| Ideal Workload | Balanced Enterprise, Databases | Large In-Memory Caching, VDI | HPC, High-Concurrency Web Serving |
4.2 Analysis of Trade-offs
1. **Versatility vs. Specialization:** The Standard Density Tier excels because it avoids the trade-offs inherent in the specialized configurations. The LD/HM sacrifices raw compute throughput for massive memory pools, while the HD/CF configuration pushes thermal and power limits for maximum core count in a smaller footprint, often compromising on necessary I/O headroom. 2. **Storage Performance:** The Standard configuration utilizes NVMe RAID 10, providing substantially better transactional performance (IOPS) than the LD/HM configuration, which often relies on slower, higher-capacity HDDs or lower-tier SATA SSDs to meet its capacity goals. 3. **Density Cost:** The 1U HD/CF server offers superior rack unit density but typically incurs higher power consumption per unit and may require specialized cooling arrangements, increasing operational costs in the colocation facility. The 2U form factor of the Standard Tier is the industry sweet spot for manageability and cooling envelope conformance. Rack Density Planning must account for these power profiles.
---
5. Maintenance Considerations
Effective long-term deployment of servers in a colocation environment requires strict adherence to facility standards regarding power, cooling, and access procedures.
5.1 Power Requirements and Redundancy
The configuration is rated for a maximum sustained power draw of approximately 1000W under heavy load (including the NVMe array spin-up and network saturation).
- **Power Delivery:** The dual 1600W Platinum PSUs are designed to operate reliably even if one PSU fails (N+1 redundancy). The system must be connected to two separate Power Distribution Units (PDUs) supplied from different electrical phases if available, adhering to PDU Redundancy Best Practices.
- **Power Cycling:** Remote power cycling via the BMC interface is the preferred method for initial troubleshooting. The system supports graceful shutdown protocols compliant with ACPI Specifications.
- **Power Capping:** While the hardware supports CPU power capping, it is generally disabled for this configuration to maintain peak performance SLOs. If power constraints are imposed by the facility, the configuration must be re-evaluated for acceptable performance degradation (refer to Power Throttling Impact Analysis).
5.2 Thermal Management and Airflow
Thermal management is the most common failure point in high-density colocation deployments.
- **Airflow Path:** Strict adherence to the server’s mandated airflow direction (Front-to-Back) is non-negotiable. Mixing airflow directions within the same rack results in significant performance degradation and potential hardware failure due to recirculation.
- **Ambient Temperature:** The system is certified to operate reliably with an intake air temperature up to $35^{\circ}\text{C}$. Operation above this threshold voids hardware warranties and forces the system to aggressively throttle CPU clock speeds (thermal throttling), impacting performance metrics detailed in Section 2.
- **Rack Density Limits:** To ensure proper cooling, the maximum density for this 2U server is typically limited to 20-22 units per standard 42U rack, depending on the facility’s CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) cooling capacity per rack unit (RU). This equates to approximately 40-44 RU total consumption when accounting for PDUs and cable management space. Data Center Cooling Standards must be consulted.
5.3 Remote Management and Monitoring
The reliance on Out-of-Band (OOB) management is paramount, as physical access to the server is infrequent.
- **BMC Health Checks:** Regular automated polling of the BMC via Redfish APIs by the tenant's monitoring stack is required. Key metrics to monitor include:
* CPU Die Temperatures (TjMax monitoring). * Fan Speeds (RPM divergence indicates potential cooling failure). * PSU Status (Input voltage, output load, and operational status). * DIMM Error Counts (Correctable ECC errors should be reviewed weekly).
- **Firmware Lifecycle Management:** Regular updates to the BIOS, BMC firmware, and RAID controller firmware are necessary to maintain security posture and leverage performance optimizations. Due to the complexity of dual-socket DDR5 systems, firmware updates must follow vendor-approved sequences, often requiring coordinated downtime. Firmware Update Procedures detail the necessary staging process.
5.4 Physical Security and Cabling
The physical security of the hardware within the colocation cage/rack is managed through layered controls.
- **Chassis Security:** The front bezel must be locked, and the chassis secured to the rack rails using captive screws or locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized physical access to front-accessible drive bays or power buttons.
- **Cabling Discipline:** The use of highly structured, color-coded cabling is enforced. The 25 GbE uplinks must be traceable directly to the designated patch panels or ToR switches. Poor cabling discipline severely impacts airflow and increases the Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) during troubleshooting. Refer to Structured Cabling Best Practices.
The robust nature of this configuration ensures high uptime, provided these environmental and management considerations are strictly adhered to by the tenant and the facility operator.
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?
- Telegram: @powervps Servers at a discounted price
⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️