HoneyComb LX2 Server Blog
1RU Dual Sled Arm Server
1RU Dual Sled Arm Server
During the last decade Arm based processors have dominated the mobile and tablet market gaining a strong foothold in the industry and it’s easy to see why. Arm processors offer a lower cost of development, great performance per watt, efficiency, and the ability to control what goes into your device in terms of both hardware and software. Large chipmakers can design their own custom Arm SoCs by buying the relevant IP and building blocks provided by Arm or using available standards such as the 32-bit Cortex A7, A8, A9 and the newer popular 64-bit Cortex A53 and A72.
While the existing server space is dominated by Intel and AMD with their x86 architecture due to the strong partner ecosystem both in hardware and software compatibility, there is a real need for tools and support there. Hence customers prefer Arm based servers and the demand for them is expected to grow in the coming years due to the following reasons:
SolidRun’s 1U Dual Sled server is made for native Arm build server farms, and designed to reduce footprint in racks by integrating two computer units (HoneyComb LX2) into a 1U chassis.
The HoneyComb LX2 is a 16 core Cortex A72 based machine that runs at up to 2.2GHz while consuming approximately 40W (for more information about power consumption see here). It is packed in a Mini-ITX form factor and offers extended connectivity, such as 10 x Gbps SFP+ ports for SDN (up to 40GbE), USB 3.0, PCIe open slot for GPUs, as well as extended connectivity and much more.
HoneyComb LX2 is not just another Arm SBC, but a full-fledge certified Aarch64 based development and testing solution built by developers for developers. There is no custom BSP with this platform, but instead, you can install and run any Linux or BSD based distribution out of the box, try out VMWare ESXi on Arm, or demo Windows 10 Enterprise on Arm. With 16 cores and up to 64 GB of memory, you have all necessary hardware resources to develop Arm apps and solutions natively on our workstation. Increase your productivity by easily deploying and testing your Aarch64 code using native virtualization and container solutions. Expand your horizons by leveraging the 4 x 10Gbps SFP+ ports for Software Defined Networking development ideas. HoneyComb LX2 is the Arm64 development tool that will unlock your time to develop software and ideas that interest you, rather than struggling just to get the board up and running.
NXP’s LX2160A SoC packs all the right ingredients for intensive networking applications such as 10GbE/100GbE ethernet, PCIe Gen 3.0, SATA controllers, 2 x DDR4 with ECC support, 100Gb/s Data Compression Engine, and internal security features (secure boot).
If higher levels of integration are needed, please contact us and we’ll gladly work with you on solutions that match your needs.
The unit is capable of handling all typical workloads one could expect from a 16 cores machine.
Form Factor | 1U 19” Rackmount Chassis with Dual Mini-ITX Sleds |
I/Os | 3 x USB 3.0 3 x USB 2.0 |
Networking | 4 x SFP+ ports (10GbE each) 1 x 1GbE copper (RJ45) |
Processor | 1 x NXP Layerscape LX2160A 16-core Arm Cortex A72 up to 2GHz |
Memory & Storage | Up to 64GB DDR4 DIMM 64GB eMMC MicroSD 4 x SATA 3.0 |
Misc. | USB to STM32 for remote management |
Development and Debug interfaces | Micro USB JTAG |
Expansion card I/Os | 1 x PCIe x8 Gen 3.0, open slot (can support x16) 1 x M.2 for SSD NVMe |
Temperature | Commercial: 0°C to 40°C |
Power | 1 x 300W PSU 2 x PWM 40mm x 40mm fans |
Each kit contains | 1RU Dual Mini-ITX each 1RU chassis contains 2 x Sleds chassis, with each sled having: – w/ 1 x HoneyComb LX2 – w/ 1 x 300W PSU – w/ 2 PWM 40mm x 40mm fans – w/ SATA3 cables – w/ Y Cable for PWM fans – w/ 2.5″” drive tray and 3.5″” drive tray w/ rubber shock absorbers” * DDR, SSDs, SATA HDDs not included by default. |