Lenovo ThinkSystem SR655 Server

Description

With a large number of PCIe lanes and CPU cores, applications like virtualization, software defined storage, and advanced security can take advantage of what this 2U system has to offer. Running on single-socket performance, the Lenovo ThinkSystem SR655 supports the latest technology including AMD EPYC processors with 8-channel memory, PCIe Gen 4 compatibility, and several storage options. The server can be locally or remotely managed through various routes, including Lenovo’s proprietary XClarity Administrator software.

Performance

Harnessing the power of 8 to 64 cores, 128 PCIe lanes, and a TDP of up to 280W, the server houses the industry’s first 7nm data center CPU. A single processor from the 2nd or 3rd generation of AMD EPYC CPUs can save money by using a high-performance server with just one processor installed. With all this power, the CPU can support PCIe Gen 4 and faster memory speeds of up to 3200MHz for healthcare, financial, and other service applications.

Memory

The ThinkSystem SR655 supports up to 16x Lenovo TruDDR4 memory DIMMs in 8x memory channels and 2x DIMMs per channel. When all slots are populated with 128GB 3DS RDIMMs, the system reaches a maximum capacity of 2TB of memory. The memory modules can operate at up to 3200MHz with 1x DIMM installed per channel, or up to 2933MHz with 2x DIMMs per channel. Lenovo TruDDR4 memory uses the highest quality components from Tier 1 DRAM suppliers for the best performance but other manufacturers are supported.

Storage

The Lenovo SR655 supports up to 20x 3.5-inch or 32x 2.5-inch hot-swap drive bays, depending on the selected chassis and backplane configuration. The platform can hold all SAS, all SATA, all NVMe, or combinations of all three. The fascinating part of this system is that all drives are hot-swap and are accessible from the front, rear, and the middle of the server when the top cover is removed. Depending on the configurations, the server also supports one or two M.2 drives, which are installed in an M.2 adapter.

The following configurations are supported:

Front: up to 12x 3.5-inch or 24x 2.5-inch, hot-swap bays

Mid (internal): up to 4x 3.5-inch or 8x 2.5-inch, hot-swap bays

Rear: up to 4x 3.5-inch or 4x 2.5-inch hot-swap bays

Expansion

With up to 128 PCIe 4.0 lanes provided by the CPU, the server supports a total of up to 9x PCIe 4.0 slots to provide scalability for the most demanding workloads. 8x slots can be accessed from the rear. The remaining slot can be found in the middle of the chassis and is dedicated for a RAID adapter or HBA. This ThinkSystem is a multi-GPU optimized server with support for up to 6x single-width GPUs like the NVIDIA T4 and NVIDIA Quadro P620 GPUs with up to 75W each. It also supports 3x double-width GPUs like the NVIDIA A100, A40, and A30 with up to 300W each. Additionally, there is a dedicated OCP 3.0 mezzanine slot for networking, but the slot availability is based on which riser is installed.

Management

Lenovo's XClarity Administrator software can be used to monitor hardware and handle alerts, events and logs. The system can be managed both locally and remotely using this application. The system is compatible with the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI 2.0), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP 3), and Redfish. By using the USB ports on the front panel, administrators can manage the system at-chassis with a crash cart or by connecting a mobile device.

Summary

The Lenovo ThinkSystem SR655 server combines performance and versatility, making it an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes. It offers dense storage, with up to 32x NVMe SSDs and compatibility with SATA, SAS, and NVMe drive types, plus a maximum of 2TB of memory with all 16x DIMMs installed. Offering reliability and flexibility, this 2U AMD EPYC-based system is ideal for industries such as finance, healthcare, telco, and more.