Gigabyte R181-Z90 Server

Description

The Gigabyte R181-Z90 server has been revised 3x times with rev.100 supporting 1st Gen AMD EPYC series processors, rev.A00 supporting 2nd gen AMD EPYC processors and the latest rev.B00 supporting 3rd gen AMD EPYS CPUs. It features 2x integrated GbE ports (via Intel I350-AM2) on the back of the system to support standard networking applications, like use as a file server, a shared Internet connection, a VPN server for remote workers, or as a virtual server. The 4x 3.5-inch hot swap storage bays up front are for SAS or SATA HDD or SSD formats. 1x M.2 NVMe storage device is supported on the system board to provide fast reliable startup of the system. 3x PCIe Gen3 ports on the back provide options for additional I/O or other expansion cards.

Performance- Rev.B00

With rev.B00 this platform now supports AMD EPYC 7003 series processors for improved performance and reduced latency compared to the previous generation CPUs supported on this platform. AMD EPYC CPUs offer PCIe 4.0, which offers twice the seed compared to PCIe 3.0. In addition to faster compute resources, each processor supports 8x memory channels for 16x channels total with both processors installed.

Rev.A00

This revision to rev.100 incorporates a BIOS update making the system compatible with 2nd generation AMD EPYC 7002 series processors. Code named “Rome,” these processors offer up to 64x physical cores and 128 virtual threads.

Rev.100

With the initial release of this platform, it supported 7001-series AMD EPYC processors. Code Name “Naples,” these processors deliver up to 32 physical cores and 64 virtual threads.

Memory

With 8x memory channels and 16x memory module slots per processor, with both processors installed, the system will support up to 32x memory module slots. At full capacity it can be outfitted with 2x 256GB DIMMs per channel (2DC) for up to 8TB of memory. Registered (RDIMM), Load-Reduced (LRDIMM) and 3DS registered and Load-Reduced memory modules are supported with 3DS versions providing the highest density. Memory speeds of 3200MHz and 2933MHz are supported depending on your choice of memory module and configuration.

Storage

At only 1U, the Gigabyte R181-Z90 server offers limited storage with 4x 3.5-inch storage bays up front. The storage bays can be outfitted with either SATA or SAS drives but SAS drive formats will require an HBA/RAID controller. SATA drive formats are supported natively. For support of the operating system, there is a single PCIe 3.0 x4 slot on the system board for an M.2 storage device.

Expansion

With 3x low-profile PCIe 3.0 expansion slots housed in two separate risers, this system can be outfitted with optional network interface controllers, a SAS card, or SSD storage devices. In addition, there is an OCP 2.0 mezzanine card slot at the back of the system featuring a PCIe 3.0 x16 interface. The OCP card is optional but can provide additional network connections and link speeds to support network communications, while leaving the limited PCIe slots open for other add-on cards.

Management

A dedicated RJ-45 port on the back of the chassis connects to the network and provides for remote management of the system. Accessing the ASPEED AST2500 baseboard management controller, BMC, enables Administrators to remotely manage the system. There are several utilities provided by Gigabyte, free of charge, enabling Administrators to quickly identify status, inventory, and trouble-shoot the system remotely. The Gigabyte Server Console is for managing a single system or small cluster, while Gigabyte Server Manager can provide for multiple servers and large clusters.

Summary

At 1U the Gigabyte R181-Z90 server delivers dual processor performance to support a variety of common networking applications critical to general business needs. This platform offers the adaptability to support a number of different workloads depending on configuration and offers massive compute abilities for to quickly plow through data.