Introduction
Supermicro is a microcomputer manufacturer founded in 1993 by Charles Liang based in San Jose, California. Supermicro computer systems and motherboards are used in data centers worldwide. Supermicro is a leading manufacturer of custom and high-performance server, workstation, and desktop computer products based on motherboard technology. HPC systems require high-performance components with a low operating temperature and reliable quality that ensures maximum customer satisfaction. That’s why Supermicro motherboards have been designed to meet the rigorous requirements. Here are some of the specifications for HPC systems that Supermicro motherboards have met or exceeded:
1. Low Operating Temperature
Motherboards must work in a wide range of thermal environments, including the conditions in HPC systems. The motherboard should operate in an environment ranging from -20C to +70C, with minimal moisture or humidity. In addition, it must be able to meet power and performance specifications when subjected to extreme cold for long periods. These strict requirements are only achieved through product testing, including high-temperature burn-in and cold soak testing.
2. Tested to Gold Standard
The motherboard at Supermicro is tested rigorously to the highest standards. To meet or exceed these rigorous standards, the motherboards must be subjected to extreme conditions while in storage and during shipping. These stringent tests ensure that Supermicro motherboards meet the performance and quality requirements needed for HPC systems. The testing also ensures that a motherboard will work within its specifications and not experience any compatibility problems with other system components.
3. Diverse Applications
Special storage controllers such as the Marvell SATA RAID Control Chip and support for SAS, SATA, and IDE drives are present in all Supermicro motherboards. The Supermicro motherboards also have extensive memory options, backing up to 512GB of ECC Registered DDR3 1600/1333/1066 with up to 64GB per DIMM socket (8x 8GB). They also support NVIDIA Quad SLI with up to 4-way discrete GPUs and multiple Intel XEON processors with up to two CPUs per motherboard.
4. Flexible IO Options
Supermicro motherboards support numerous high-speed and high-capacity storage devices, including SATA 6G, SAS 12G, and NVMe SSDs. For example, the Supermicro ES series supports full-length, double-wide LGA2011 (Socket R) motherboards in a compact 2U form. These motherboards support up to eight 3.5″ HDDs and four 2.5″ SSDs, which is ideal for HPC systems that store high amounts of data. The HPC systems can use the Direct Drive options, which allow a Supermicro storage controller to directly connect to the drives while working on the system’s IO bus. This will enable data to be transferred quickly and reduces CPU usage.
5. Fully Redundant Power
The Supermicro motherboards support fully redundant power supplies to ensure the highest uptime for the HPC system and its components. The motherboard supports dual redundant PSU and single non-redundant PSU configurations in 4U and 2U servers. They also support dual power supplies and single power supplies for 1U servers. The motherboards also support power supply hot swap and power supply redundancy, which further improve the system’s reliability.
6. Label Retention
Supermicro motherboards are designed to reduce the risks of electromagnetic interference, which may lead to data corruption in the HPC system. This ensures that each motherboard has been individually shielded to protect it from EMI/RFI interference generated by other components in the system. The motherboards also support the Label Retention feature, which ensures the labels on the memory DIMM sockets stay in place during the removal and replacement of the DIMM modules. This further reduces any risks of EMI/RFI interference entering the system. The Supermicro motherboards also conform to RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and meet the WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU requirements, which prohibit the use of hazardous materials in electronic devices.
Supermicro motherboards are designed for use in HPC systems that require fully redundant power supplies. These motherboards work with a wide range of server chassis and form factors, from 3U to 1U, that can house up to eight full-length PCI-Express Gen3 expansion slots. The motherboard supports single and dual PCI-E 3.0 x16 cards operating in x16, x8, or x4 modes. The company designs its products emphasizing quality and value for money in pursuing the perfect development for its customers.
