Odd that they don't have an R28x or R29x series 2P 2U system like they do for SKX-SP/CSX-SP/CPL-SP/TX2/Naples/Rome, since those series seem to be the workhorse dense compute+storage systems. You'd assume that they'd be responsive to customer demand, so one might think that implies a lack of interest in a platform directly competitive with those incumbents, which would not be promising for Ampere...
For comparison, they already announced an R282 with ThunderX3.
How do y'all plan to benchmark Altra? Will it be compared against x86? And will y'all run native ARM binaries?
If ya'll are looking for suggestions, how about ARM video encoding? Some of the AV1 encoders already have NEON support built in, and AV1an is great at spreading the load out to many cores: https://github.com/master-of-zen/Av1an
In a way, its apples to oranges, as the amount of effort put into SIMD optimization on ARM and x86 will be different, and all the AV1 encoders/decoders are WIP, but it could still be an interesting comparison!
I have some other benchmark ideas, but I need to check if they'll even run/compile on ARM...
Looking good! Really glad to see companies pushing ARM back into the server space, after the initial false-starts.
MASSIVE kudos to them for their CPU naming scheme, too. Seems like something both AMD and Intel could learn from (with a sterner eye on Intel, because theirs is truly batshit).
Yeah, I had an ARM server back when OVH was trialling them; they work, especially for content distribution, it's just a matter of having the platform (storage, network, etc.) up to standard.
2021: Your storage gumstick runs an embedded ARM CPU that is powerful enough to run Linux decently well in its own right, sending data to your ARM main CPU via the ARM secure encryption chip on your Apple laptop, pulling data from an ARM-equipped datacentre, while you talk on your ARM CPU powered high-spec phone, driving your car stuffed full of ARM chips, while munching on a sandwich from your ARM-embedded toaster as your ARM-chipped fridge orders more cheese for tomorrow.
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anonomouse - Monday, August 3, 2020 - link
Odd that they don't have an R28x or R29x series 2P 2U system like they do for SKX-SP/CSX-SP/CPL-SP/TX2/Naples/Rome, since those series seem to be the workhorse dense compute+storage systems. You'd assume that they'd be responsive to customer demand, so one might think that implies a lack of interest in a platform directly competitive with those incumbents, which would not be promising for Ampere...For comparison, they already announced an R282 with ThunderX3.
brucethemoose - Monday, August 3, 2020 - link
How do y'all plan to benchmark Altra? Will it be compared against x86? And will y'all run native ARM binaries?If ya'll are looking for suggestions, how about ARM video encoding? Some of the AV1 encoders already have NEON support built in, and AV1an is great at spreading the load out to many cores: https://github.com/master-of-zen/Av1an
In a way, its apples to oranges, as the amount of effort put into SIMD optimization on ARM and x86 will be different, and all the AV1 encoders/decoders are WIP, but it could still be an interesting comparison!
I have some other benchmark ideas, but I need to check if they'll even run/compile on ARM...
rahvin - Monday, August 3, 2020 - link
The testing should use the server bench marking systems they've developed.jonmasters - Monday, August 3, 2020 - link
And it looks like socketed flash too! Appears to be two modules (either BMC+AP, or combo with a backup). Either way, that's a nice touch!Samus - Tuesday, August 4, 2020 - link
Are those 3.3GHz on all 80 cores simultaneously?Samus - Tuesday, August 4, 2020 - link
oh nvm I see 3GHz x 80Wilco1 - Tuesday, August 4, 2020 - link
Yes, and indefinitely since that's the base frequency.Spunjji - Wednesday, August 5, 2020 - link
Looking good! Really glad to see companies pushing ARM back into the server space, after the initial false-starts.MASSIVE kudos to them for their CPU naming scheme, too. Seems like something both AMD and Intel could learn from (with a sterner eye on Intel, because theirs is truly batshit).
GreenReaper - Thursday, August 6, 2020 - link
Yeah, I had an ARM server back when OVH was trialling them; they work, especially for content distribution, it's just a matter of having the platform (storage, network, etc.) up to standard.Tomatotech - Wednesday, August 5, 2020 - link
2021: Your storage gumstick runs an embedded ARM CPU that is powerful enough to run Linux decently well in its own right, sending data to your ARM main CPU via the ARM secure encryption chip on your Apple laptop, pulling data from an ARM-equipped datacentre, while you talk on your ARM CPU powered high-spec phone, driving your car stuffed full of ARM chips, while munching on a sandwich from your ARM-embedded toaster as your ARM-chipped fridge orders more cheese for tomorrow.