Supermicro BigTwin SuperServer 2029BZ-HNR

Description

Like Supermicro’s other BigTwin servers, the Supermicro BigTwin SuperServer 2029BZ-HNR has 4x separate 4x socket server nodes. Each node has dual 1st or 2nd generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors with up to 28 cores and 56 threads each. Storage is handled at the chassis level with 24x hybrid storage drives that are allocated evenly between the 4x server nodes. This platform is designed to support high-performance computing applications as an enterprise server or in the data center. It’s also a fit for hyperscale and hyperconverged network applications offering 4x flexible server nodes that can be outfitted to support a number of diverse applications.

*This system is only available configured with a minimum of 2x CPUs, 2x DIMMs, 1x NVMe drive, and 1x Supermicro I/O module (SIOM), per node.

Performance

With two processors per node, that’s up to 8x processors in a 2u chassis! Only 1st and 2nd generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors are supported offering up to 28 cores. Processors with a 165W or higher thermal design point (TDP) will require an extended thermal solution. Each processor supports 6x memory channels. There are dual, redundant 2600W Titanium level PSUs powering the 4x server nodes with 6x fans per node providing ample cooling.

Memory

With 24x memory slots total divided between two processors, there are 12x memory module slots per processor. With this configuration, 2x memory modules can be installed per memory channel. 3DS Registered (RDIMM) and load-reduced (LRDIMM) memory modules are supported offering up to 6TB of memory with all slots filled with 256GB memory modules. Data centric persistent memory modules (DCPMM), like Intel Optane, are also supported but only using 2nd generation Xeon Scalable CPUs and are limited to only 4x slots per node because of thermal constraints.

Storage

The 24x up front storage bays support hot-swap NVMe drives natively and are equally distributed across the 4x server nodes. 6x storage bays for each server node. An M.2 add-on-card (AOC) can support two M.2 drives in mirror mode for full redundancy when used to support the OS or a hypervisor. A RAID key holder, for a virtual RAID on CPU (vROC) key, on the motherboard uses the integrated Volume Management Devices (VMD) and Intel’s integrated drivers to create optional NVMe RAID configurations. Additionally, there is a dedicated port for a SATADOM, or disk on module, to provide start up or more storage.

Expansion

There is a single RJ45 LAN port on the back of the system for access to the baseboard management controller (BMC) and there are no integrated LAN ports on the back of the system. Additional LAN ports are provided by the Supermicro I/O Module (SIOM) and there are several to choose from offering different network connection speeds and ports. In addition to the SIOM slot, 2x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots provide options for expansion cards. There is also the dedicated slot for the M.2 carrier card which is positioned on the side of the server adjacent to the memory modules towards the rear of the server node.

Management

The single RJ45 port provides access to the baseboard management controller, or BMC. The BMC uses the integrated platform management interface 2.0 (IPMI 2.0) to accesses the ASPEED AST2500 module for at-chassis and remote management of the server using a variety of applications to simplify management of the server. These applications include, the Intel Node Manager, Supermicro Server Manager (SSM), Supermicro Power Manager (SUM), Supermicro Update manager (SUM), plus SuperDoctor 5 and Watchdog, which provide a comprehensive overview of the system health and server assets.

Summary

Fully outfitted, the Supermicro BigTwin SuperServer 2029BZ-HNR offers a high-density solution for enterprise businesses and datacenter needs. This system maximizes space in the data center with a 2U chassis capable of supporting up to 8x Intel Xeon Scalable CPUs and up to 24TB of memory. The NVMe drives also enhance the resiliency and speed of this system high-performance computing appliance.