Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/12/17/aws_hpe_server_instances/
Source: The Register
Title: AWS now renting monster HPE servers, even in clusters of 7,680-vCPUs and 128TB
Feedly Summary: Heir to Superdome goes cloudy for those who run large in-memory databases and apps that need them
Amazon Web Services usually stays schtum about the exact disposition of the servers it rents in its Elastic Compute Cloud, but made an exception on Tuesday with the announcement it is offering instances based on a single HPE server: the Compute Scale-up Server 3200.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: AWS has unveiled its new offering of instances based on HPE’s Compute Scale-up Server 3200, aimed at customers migrating from on-premises HPE servers to the cloud. This move addresses the demands of businesses needing high-performance server capabilities, especially for SAP applications, facilitating a transition to cloud environments while maintaining familiar hardware.
Detailed Description:
– **New Offering by AWS**: Amazon Web Services (AWS) has introduced new server instances derived from HPE’s Compute Scale-up Server 3200, which is designed primarily for handling large workloads, particularly in-memory databases.
– **Server Background**:
– The server and its architecture have historical significance, traceable back to the Superdome system developed by HPE during the late 1990s.
– The Superdome architecture is known for its modular scaling and memory pooling, providing more tailored performance capabilities compared to AWS’s traditional commodity servers.
– **Market Demand**:
– AWS’s announcement reflects growing frustration among customers dedicated to HPE’s on-premises solutions who wish to transition to cloud computing without sacrificing performance or capabilities.
– There is a noted demand for AWS solutions that can support SAP-certified workloads, which these new instances are equipped to handle.
– **Technical Details**:
– The newly named U7inh instance type is capable of offering substantial resources—BOASTING 1,920 virtual CPUs and 32 TB of memory.
– These instances utilize Intel’s fourth-generation Xeon Scalable processors and can efficiently manage significant workloads with up to 16 CPU sockets, each accommodating 60 cores.
– They are explicitly certified for running various SAP applications, including Business Suite on HANA and S/4HANA.
– **Clustering Ability**:
– The instances can be clustered into groups of four, allowing for enhanced performance when scaling out OLTP workloads associated with SAP HANA.
– **Cloud Security and Isolation**:
– AWS employs its Nitro platform alongside these instances, which is engineered to offer enhanced isolation and security, paramount for enterprises handling critical workloads.
– **Instance Availability and Pricing**:
– Unlike typical pay-as-you-go models, these instances are offered through three-year Instance Savings Plans, indicating a commitment to long-term use rather than sporadic demand.
– Currently available in specific AWS regions in the US, their pricing remains undisclosed but is expected to be premium due to the specialized nature of the services offered.
This development illustrates how AWS is not only expanding its service capabilities but also responding to the needs of enterprise customers, particularly those involved with SAP environments, while ensuring that security measures remain robust within cloud offerings.