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MicroCloud Solution for High-Density Deployments

Our MicroCloud high-density server went into mass-production last month and has been a popular sought-after item. This is an advanced machine that has been designed for companies offering cloud services, but it's worth keeping your deployment requirements in mind before purchasing.

The features of the ICC MicroCloud High-Density Server (5037MC-H8TRF) include:

  • Eight modular nodes in a 3U chassisessentially make these 8 separate server systems in one box.
  • Single Intel Xeon E3-1200 processor per node featuring Intel's new Sandy Bridge architecture.
  • Redundant Platinum Level (94%) highest-efficiency power supplies
  • Up to 32GB DDR3 ECC UDIMM memory, 2x 3.5"" SATA3 drives, 1x PCI-E 2.0 slot, and IPMI on each node.

The best deployment scenarios for the MicroCloud are in environments where real estate is at a premium. Its high-density design means that you can fit up to 112 individual servers into a 42U rack. Your biggest benefit will come from rack space saved and ease of maintenance with modular components.

But there are additional cost savings. The power supplies in the MicroCloud are shared by the eight nodes in each system and are also rated at one of the highest levels of 80 PLUS efficiency: Platinum. In addition to TCO cuts due to energy efficiency, assembly time per server into the rack is reduced when compared to installing individual (low-density) servers.

The Intel Xeon E3-1200 processors (that are utilized in each MicroCloud node) is also a great upgrade to those running the older Intel Xeon 3400 series or even single-processor deployments of the Intel Xeon 5600 family of CPUs. Tests show that the new Intel Xeon E3-1200 series performs much better than older families of processors for the same or lower price per CPU.

There are some other considerations to keep in mind before deciding on a MicroCloud deployment. Almost any high-density server system is slightly more risky to deploy than individual 1U servers. Many components (such as the power supplies) in the MicroCloud are redundant, but they are also shared by eight nodes. A failure on the system level not covered by redundancy will temporarily shut down eight nodes, not just one.

But this caveat is applicable to most high-density systems and such failures are extremely rare. So consider your energy, performance, real estate, and other requirements. The MicroCloud can very well be a great deployment option for your needs.

MicroCloud Solution for High-Density Deployments

Our MicroCloud high-density server went into mass-production last month and has been a popular sought-after item. This is an advanced machine that has been designed for companies offering cloud services, but it's worth keeping your deployment requirements in mind before purchasing.

The features of the ICC MicroCloud High-Density Server (5037MC-H8TRF) include:

  • Eight modular nodes in a 3U chassisessentially make these 8 separate server systems in one box.
  • Single Intel Xeon E3-1200 processor per node featuring Intel's new Sandy Bridge architecture.
  • Redundant Platinum Level (94%) highest-efficiency power supplies
  • Up to 32GB DDR3 ECC UDIMM memory, 2x 3.5"" SATA3 drives, 1x PCI-E 2.0 slot, and IPMI on each node.

The best deployment scenarios for the MicroCloud are in environments where real estate is at a premium. Its high-density design means that you can fit up to 112 individual servers into a 42U rack. Your biggest benefit will come from rack space saved and ease of maintenance with modular components.

But there are additional cost savings. The power supplies in the MicroCloud are shared by the eight nodes in each system and are also rated at one of the highest levels of 80 PLUS efficiency: Platinum. In addition to TCO cuts due to energy efficiency, assembly time per server into the rack is reduced when compared to installing individual (low-density) servers.

The Intel Xeon E3-1200 processors (that are utilized in each MicroCloud node) is also a great upgrade to those running the older Intel Xeon 3400 series or even single-processor deployments of the Intel Xeon 5600 family of CPUs. Tests show that the new Intel Xeon E3-1200 series performs much better than older families of processors for the same or lower price per CPU.

There are some other considerations to keep in mind before deciding on a MicroCloud deployment. Almost any high-density server system is slightly more risky to deploy than individual 1U servers. Many components (such as the power supplies) in the MicroCloud are redundant, but they are also shared by eight nodes. A failure on the system level not covered by redundancy will temporarily shut down eight nodes, not just one.

But this caveat is applicable to most high-density systems and such failures are extremely rare. So consider your energy, performance, real estate, and other requirements. The MicroCloud can very well be a great deployment option for your needs.