X13 Servers – the Case for Edge Computing

In this and some following articles, we will take a closer look at the new X13 product line from Supermicro. It delivers a particularly powerful and efficient solution for many application areas. It achieves this by using the latest technologies, such as:

• Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors of the 4th generation,
• Various accelerators integrated into the CPU or also
• PCIe 5.0, CXL 1.1, EDSFF backplanes and DDR5- memory (incl. 8 memory channel support).

In this article, we focus on the use of the X13 product line in the context of edge computing.

What you can expect:

Background: What is edge computing?

Edge computing is a technology that aims to move data processing and analysis tasks closer to where the data is generated, i.e., at the "edge" of the network. This is often done in real time or near real time. This approach contrasts with traditional cloud computing architecture, where data is sent to remote data centers to be processed.

Edge computing is particularly useful in scenarios where low latency, high bandwidth and data security are key. It is of particular importance for the Internet of Things (IoT), where many devices are constantly generating data that must be analyzed quickly to provide valuable insights or trigger immediate actions.

Examples of the use of edge computing include autonomous vehicles that need to process huge amounts of sensor data in real time to navigate safely, or manufacturing plants where machines need to be constantly monitored and optimized to avoid breakdowns and increase efficiency.

An important feature of edge computing systems is their ability to operate in a variety of environments, often under space and power constraints. They must be small enough to be installed in a vehicle, a factory, or even a home, and they must be energy efficient enough not to consume too much power or generate too much heat. Therefore, choosing the right hardware for edge computing applications is critical.

The most important facts about the Supermicro X13 product line for Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors of the 4th generation

• Powerful 4th generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors with up to 60 cores (compared to 40 cores for the previous generation) and 350 W TDP per CPU.
• Accelerators integrated into the CPU:
  • Intel® AMX - for up to 8x performance improvement on matrix multiplication microbenchmarks.
  • Intel® DSA - for up to 2.5x improvement in data movement performance.
  • Intel® Dynamic Load Balancer - improves system performance when processing network data on Intel® Xeon® Scalable multi-core processors.
  • Intel® Quick Assist Technology - for up to 98% core workload capacity for encryption and related workloads.
  • Intel® vRAN Boost - reduces vRAN power consumption by up to 20%.
  • Intel® IAA - for faster queries and resource utilization for more efficient business decision making.
• Faster communication between CPU and other components: through support for PCIe 5.0 (up to 80 lanes), which is twice as fast as the previous generation of CPUs with PCIe 4.0.
• Very high energy efficiency: Various products in the X13 series use different cooling systems from conventional (CRAC) to free-air and liquid cooling and thus achieve a PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) of 1.1 or even 1.05 in combination with optimized air circulation, energy-saving design and other features.
• Improved memory performance: thanks to support for DDR5-4800MHz memory (vs. max. 3200MHz of 3rd generation).
• Increased addressable memory capacity of up to 4 TB DRAM per socket.
• Faster communication between CPUs: more and faster Ultra Path Interconnects with the new generation of Intel processors.
• Support of latest technologies like CXL 1.1 and DDR5.

Why X13 systems are particularly well suited for edge computing

Supermicro's X13 server series presents itself as an optimal solution for edge computing applications due to a variety of factors. Let's start with the fundamental need for edge computing solutions to be powerful, but also compact and energy efficient. The X13 series, especially in smaller form factors, meets these requirements.

The 4th generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors provide impressive computing power that enables fast and efficient data processing. This is of key importance considering that edge computing often needs to be done in real-time or near real-time.

The DDR5 memory technology and 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes per CPU included in the X13 series enable fast data transfer and storage. These features are especially important when large amounts of data need to be processed and analyzed quickly, which is often the case with IoT devices and other edge devices.

Another important aspect is the optimized thermal design, which ensures maximum airflow over all internal system components within an extremely high ambient temperature range of -5 °C to 55 °C. Thanks to their special resilience even in high humidity and other environmental conditions, Supermicro SuperEdge architectures are thus ideally suited for use in harsh outdoor conditions as well as in the traditional data center.

In addition, the X13 series has robust security features, which is essential for edge computing environments that are often more vulnerable to security risks.

Which products in the line are particularly suitable for edge computing

X13 5G/Edge systems
With high computing power in a small footprint, a flexible power supply, and an increased operating temperature range, these systems are explicitly designed for multi-access edge computing, open RAN, and outdoor edge deployments.

You can find more information here:
https://www.supermicro.com/datasheet/datasheet_X13_5GEdge.pdf

X13 SuperEdge systems
Like the X13 5G edge systems, the SuperEdge systems with three single socket HotSwap nodes in 2U are designed for an increased operating temperature range. However, the SuperEdge systems are even more designed for the increasing compute and I/O density of modern edge applications.

You can find more information here:
https://www.supermicro.com/datasheet/datasheet_X13_SuperEdge.pdf

Application scenario: Smart City

Suppose we have a smart city infrastructure where sensors and IoT devices are distributed throughout the city - at traffic lights, on public transport, at weather stations and in buildings. These devices continuously collect data on traffic density, weather, air quality, energy consumption, and many other aspects of urban life. This data must be analyzed in real time or near real time to enable rapid decisions that make city operations more efficient and responsive.

How the X13 series can help here
In this scenario, Supermicro's X13 series can make a significant difference. With the high processing power of 4th generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors and the fast data transfer provided by DDR5 and 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, the X13 series can process and analyze large amounts of data quickly. This means that city authorities can react immediately to changes in traffic density to adjust traffic lights, or respond instantly to changes in air quality to issue warnings.

In addition, the X13 systems are compact and energy efficient, which means they can be installed in urban environments where space is limited and energy costs are high. Thanks to optimized thermal design, Supermicro SuperEdge architectures can also withstand temperatures from -5 °C to 55 °C and are ideal for harsh conditions and data centers en.

Finally, the X13 series offers robust security features, which are important because the IoT devices and sensors in a smart city may be vulnerable to hacking.

Conclusion: Power and efficiency

In this article, we have examined the strengths and features of the Supermicro X13 server series, highlighting its particular suitability for high-performance computing (HPC). The combination of high-performance 4th generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors, DDR5 memory technology and 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes enables powerful and efficient processing that is essential for the complex and data-intensive tasks in the HPC environment.

In particular, we highlighted the importance of efficient cooling, looking at the new EDSFF backplanes, which provide a larger cooling surface and thus improved heat dissipation. This allows servers to operate under high load conditions, which often occurs in HPC scenarios, without overheating and performance loss.

The high scalability and flexibility of the X13 servers, supported by the ability to be prepared for future storage solutions, makes them a future-proof choice for HPC applications. With the ability to keep pace with the ever-changing and growing requirements in HPC environments, X13 servers provide a robust and powerful platform.

Therefore, our Custom Server Solutions team is always available to answer your questions. Together we will find the ideal server for your respective application scenario with the desired power and/or packing density at the lowest possible power consumption and investment costs!

You can also find more information about the H13 product line on Supermicro's website.