Everything to know about Supermicro’s 5G-ready ruggedized server

  • The SuperServer is built on its Building Block Solutions, which allow a high degree of processor and memory combinations.

  • The system is ideal for harsh outdoor environments and supports the industry's movement toward open-source software and disaggregated hardware.

  • Supermicro embraces the industry movement to non-proprietary hardware platforms and the growing adoption of standardized system interfaces.


A global leader in enterprise computing, storage, networking solutions, and green computing technology, Supermicro Computing has introduced a cell tower-mounted server enclosure designed to be a "datacenter on a pole" for edge computing needs. The company is the first-to-market with Outdoor Edge Systems – IP65 enclosure-based servers for 5G RAN, AI inferencing, and other intelligent edge-focused applications based on Intel Xeon D processors and 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors with broad configuration options. The President and CEO of Supermicro, Charles Liang calls it the "SuperServer."


Like Supermicro's other servers, the SuperServer is built on its Building Block Solutions, which allow a high degree of processor and memory combinations.


The E403-9P-FN2T is built for demanding environments and includes three PCI-E slots for GPU and FPGA accelerator cards. The compact 1U 1019P-FHN2T is well-suited for controlled environments such as micro data centers and re-purposed central office locations and features two full-height full-length PCI-E slots. The new systems are ideal for harsh outdoor environments and support the industry's movement toward open-source software and disaggregated hardware.


“Supermicro’s data center customers and global telecommunication operators are asking for non-proprietary disaggregated hardware and software 5G solutions supporting multi-vendor web-scale networks. Supermicro’s new SuperServer solutions provide the 5G network infrastructure with maximum deployment flexibility and efficient total cost of ownership (TCO).”

– Charles Liang, President and CEO, Supermicro


With these expansion slots, Supermicro can provide real-time Edge AI inferencing via GPU cards, and accelerate 5G RAN software and open-standard site-to-site communication using the Intel FPGA Programmable Acceleration Card N3000. These new servers complement Supermicro’s successful Intel Xeon D-based 1019D and E403 models. Supermicro is developing IP65-rated protective enclosures to meet the needs of outdoor environments such as cell towers and microcell sites.


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Based on Supermicro's Building Block Solutions®, these 5G systems can be configured with a variety of processor and memory combinations so that customers can tailor their solutions to push data center remote management to the intelligent edge. Supermicro has extensive experience with popular virtualization and container-optimized software such as Kubernetes to facilitate these interactions efficiently and has multiple servers certified NGC-Ready for Edge to extend AI capabilities across public and private networks.


Supermicro embraces the industry movement to non-proprietary hardware platforms and the growing adoption of standardized system interfaces. Supermicro's membership in the O-RAN Alliance supports its initiative to promote a cloud-native, open 5G RAN architecture for the evolution of 4G to 5G networks. Since joining the O-RAN Alliance, Supermicro has developed reference solutions with several leading telecom operators and software stack providers. This compact pole-mounted solution allows for rapid rollout of adaptable 5G networks with virtually zero real estate.


These rugged servers being introduced build on Supermicro's comprehensive 5G and Edge computing portfolio, including the E403-9P-FN2T and the 1019P-FN2T systems introduced in 2019, and complement the company's high-performance products for the data center such as the multi-node BigTwin™ and high-density SuperBlade® and MicroBlade™, which can support the virtualized 5G network core.


Learn more: Intel’s 5G hardware and network infrastructure


The SuperServer is 5G-ready and was designed in cooperation with the O-RAN Alliance, a consortium of tech companies dedicated to "industry movement to non-proprietary hardware platforms and the growing adoption of standardized system interfaces," Supermicro said. 


“As the market demands more intelligent network edge solutions, Supermicro is ready with the industry’s best selection of embedded servers and motherboards to service a wide range of vertical markets including security, industrial automation, communication and networking. With the vast growth of data driven workloads across embedded applications, Supermicro remains committed to developing powerful, scalable yet agile IoT gateway and compact server, storage and networking solutions that deliver the best ecosystems for the Edge with ease of deployment and open scalability.”

– Charles Liang, President and CEO, Supermicro


A radio access network (RAN) is the backbone of cellular infrastructure: It's the entire chain from your personal device to its local tower, through a radio network controller, and on to the cellular network.


O-RAN is pushing for a 5G world that operates on an open interface that will "enable smaller vendors and operators to introduce their own services, or customize the network to suit their own unique needs," as well as "enable multi-vendor deployments, enabling a more competitive and vibrant supplier ecosystem."


O-RAN said that 5G will result in wireless networks that are increasingly complex while also running more demanding applications. Without an open interface, O-RAN argues, traditional methods of deploying, maintaining, and operating networks will become too burdensome for human IT professionals.


Supermicro said it has already developed reference solutions with several (unnamed) telecom operators and software stack providers, which means it may already have been found to be fully capable of its edge deployment, exposed-to-the-elements role.


About Super Micro Computer, Inc.


Supermicro (SMCI), the leading innovator in high-performance, high-efficiency server technology is a premier provider of advanced server Building Block Solutions® for Data Center, Cloud Computing, Enterprise IT, Hadoop/Big Data, HPC and Embedded Systems worldwide. Supermicro is committed to protecting the environment through its “We Keep IT Green®” initiative and provides customers with the most energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly solutions available on the market.

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