Equus Compute Solutions†has announced a new line of custom, cost-optimized open-hardware server and storage†platforms its calling WHITEBOX OPEN (WBO). The new line, according to Equus, enables†customers to choose the server and storage configurations that exactly meet their needs, while reducing costs and†using flexible open systems management. The company also calls them ideal for content delivery network service providers (CDNs), cloud services providers (CSPs), value added resellers (VARs), and large IT enterprises.†
“Our customers have been asking for cost-optimized open-hardware platforms as the foundation of their software-defined infrastructures,” said Costa Hasapopoulos, president of Equus Compute Solutions, in a press statement. “WHITEBOX OPEN servers are the ideal high performance solution for demanding applications such as Content Delivery, Cloud Services, Software Defined Storage, Virtualization, and Analytics/AI.”
†WHITEBOX OPEN includes features that enable the open-hardware capabilities of these servers like:
- OpenBMC, the open-source implementation of the Baseboard Management Controller firmware stack that works across heterogeneous systems and can free companies from proprietary system management vendor lock-in.
- Support for coreboot and LinuxBoot to customize the server BIOS to create unique features, improve security, and provide a lightning fast boot experience.
- OCP-inspired hardware features, including OCP slots that accommodate multi-vendor network cards including 1, 10, 40, 50, 100 Gbps Ethernet NICs. The internal OCP storage slots also support NVMe and SSDs for those who demand higher storage performance.
- Support for Network Controller Sideband Interface (NC-SI) in-band network management communication, removing the need for a separate 1GbE management port and the associated dedicated network which should generate cost savings, free rack space, and reduce rack cabling complexity.
The initial nine WHITEBOX OPEN platforms, which use dual Intel Xeon Scalable CPUs, range from the R1560 1U 4 bay server to the M2660 2U 4 Node server to the D2760 2U 24 bay with an optional 4 rear 2.5″ hot-swap bays and 4 2.5″ internal bays, but can be customized to exact end-user specifications. GPU-based versions of WBO servers will be available soon, according to Equus.
