SOLUTION BRIEF

SupermicroX13 BigTwin Multi-Node Infrastructure Solutions

Executive Summary
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Business Challenges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Value of vSAN & AI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Supermicro X13 BigTwin for Efficiency and Performance . . . . . 2
AI Benchmarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Supermicro BigTwin Systems Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Over the years, hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) has
emerged as a reliable solution for its simplified management,scalability, cost efficiency, and high-performance capabilities. In
HCI environments, technologies like vSAN have proven to be
critical as the underlying storage technology due to theirseamless integration and ability to provide storage to multiple
servers simultaneously. However, like any evolving technology,vSAN has faced several challenges. Addressing data growth andscalability has become essential for applications to meet thedemands of the rapidly expanding market while maintaining
top-notch performance and reducing latency for improved
serviceability.

In this context, Supermicros’ X13 BigTwin system introduces innovation with the new 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors
bringing new accelerators and more powerful cores. These cutting-edge components seamlessly integrate into the vSANenvironment to elevate its capabilities.

Business Challenges© 2023 Copyright Super Micro Computer, Inc. All rights reserved

August, 2023

1

Business Critical Applications (BCAs) are software applications vital to a company's core operations and success. Runningbusiness-critical applications requires on-demand scalability, improved performance, optimal efficiency, and simplifiedmanagement. Hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) platform helps boost data center efficiency by delivering developer-readyinfrastructure, scaling without compromise, simplifying operations, and expanding file services. vSAN offers policy-basedmanagement to eliminate or automate highly manual storage processes, and it increases agility by enabling administrators toprioritize SLAs of mission-critical workloads on the fly. Organizations can configure multiple RAID levels for performance or
capacity savings and non-disruptively scale out or scale up to size business-critical applications at each expansion interval.

Solution Overview
Supermicro’s objective is to deliver a high-performance system optimized for VMware vSAN. The Supermicro X13 BigTwin,powered by 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors, offers exceptional capabilities thanks to Intel DSA (Data StreamingAccelerator) technology, which optimizes streaming data movement and transformation operations, improving computing
and storage efficiency for daily operations. As data becomes increasingly valuable as a critical corporate asset, accelerated
data protection for NVMe/TCP becomes essential to improve efficiency for data storage applications by offloading CPU instorage solutions. To demonstrate this, Supermicro has selected the Supermicro X13 BigTwin SYS-221BT-DNTR and theSupermicro X11 BigTwin SYS-2029BT-HNC0R. The chosen configuration for SYS-221BT-DNTR is targeted for a vSAN-ESA-AF-6
ready node with a minimum storage capacity of 40TB per node. This configuration was carefully selected as the sweet spot
between performance and cost to have a better total cost of ownership over prior generations.
By leveraging the Supermicro X13 BigTwin, the solution was able to optimize the resources available within the vSAN
environment. HCIBench played a crucial role in benchmarking and validating the performance capabilities of the Hyperconverged infrastructure deployment, ensuring that it exceeded the anticipated workload demands. This solution highlightsthe successful integration of Supermicro X13 BigTwin, vSAN software-defined storage capabilities, and the solution’s ability tohandle demanding workloads efficiently and reliably.
Supermicro X13 BigTwin® System
When you look into the requirements of vSAN ESA environments, it becomes evident that computing power and storage
density are needed for this kind of environment. The Supermicro X13 BigTwin, with its modular design, emerges as an ideal
solution that aligns the most with these essential vSAN ESA requirements. With its flexible and dense design, the Supermicro
X13 BigTwin ensures enterprises will have easy integration into their existing Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI)
environments. As the organizations' requirements expand and transform, the Supermicro X13 BigTwin can effortlessly
accommodate these changes, making scalability a smooth and worry-free experience and allowing you to integrate newtechnologies seamlessly without interruptions.
In our Proof of Concept, Supermicro proud to spotlight the 2U 2-Node configuration, which optimally balances storage
capacity and cost-effectiveness performance. The target configuration was a vSAN-ESA-AF-6 ready node with 40TB of storage
capacity per node. This result was achieved by populating 7 out of 12 drive bays in the front. This configuration demonstrates
the best minimum configuration for ESA-AF-6 for the best performance per dollar. However, if it is still needed to scale theinfrastructure, the Supermicro X13 BigTwin 2U 2-Node can potentially be a high-density vSAN-ready node with 12x drives per
node and 3x PCI-E Gen5 slots for networking. The Supermicro X13 BigTwin empowers organizations with the flexibility toaccommodate any configuration in their existing HCI infrastructure. As a high-density vSAN-ready node, the Supermicro X13
BigTwin’s 2U 2-Node configuration supports any workload with the most demanding storage and networking requirements.
Whether you are pursuing to enhance your storage capacity, network connectivity, or overall performance, the Supermicro
X13 BigTwin is an ideal solution with efficiency and adaptability for vSAN ESA environments.

© 2023 Copyright Super Micro Computer, Inc. All rights reserved

August, 2023

2

Solution Lab Architecture

Test Configuration
SYS-221BT-DNTR

TypeSMC PN

SystemSYS-221BT-DNTR

CPUP4X-SPR6448YSRMGN-MCC

MEMORYAOC
STORAGEMEM-DR564L-CL01ER48
SCC-A2NM2241G3B1Drive

HDS-MMNMTFDKBA400TFS1BC

Drive

HDS-IUN0SSDPF2KE064T1

AOC
Network

AOC-S100GC-I2C-P

Accessory

SKT-1424L-001B-FXC

Description
X13DET-B, CSE-217BD2-R2K22P, SCCP12N12SGH-B2SPR 6448Y 2P 32C
2.1G225W(24/2.6/225,16/2.9/205)60M
BI(1000) 7yr---P4X-SPR6448Y-SRMGN-MCC
64GB DDR5 4800 ECC REG---MEM-DR564LCL01-ER48
2x Gen3 Marvell2241 NVMe M.2 RAID with
1x PCIEx16 Gen5 S
Micron 7450 MAX 400GB NVMe PCIe 4.0
3D TLC M.2 22x80 mm, 3DWPD---HDSMMN-MTFDKBA400TFS1BC
D7-P5620 6.4TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 X4 3D TLC
U.2 15mm 3DWPD---HDS-IUN0SSDPF2KE064T1Standard PCIe 4.0x16 dual port 100GbE
w/QSFP28SOCKET E E1B CARRIER LGA 4677 W/SHIMSP MCC , DG1.0 , RoHS

© 2023 Copyright Super Micro Computer, Inc. All rights reserved

August, 2023

Node QTY

System Qty
2281664142872828283

SYS-2029BT-HNCOR

TypeSystem

SMC PN
SYS-2029BT-HNC0RCPUP4X-CLX6230NSRFPRMEMORYMEM-DR432L-CL01ER29

AOC
Storage
Drive(boot)Drive(caching)
Drive(capacity)

AOC-SMG2-2TM2
HDS-IMT0SCKKB240G8-NI22
HDS-IAN1SSDPED1K375GAXHDS-I2T0SSDSC2KB038T8

AOC
AOC-STGS-I2T-O
NETWORK

Description
BigTwin 2U 4-Node, 6x2.5 NVMe/SASIntel® Xeon® Gold 6230N 4/2P
20/(6+14)C/40/(12+28)T
2.3/(2.7+2.1)G 27.5M 132GB DDR4 1.2V 2933 ECC REG--MEM-DR432L-CL01-ER292xSATA M.2 RAID adapter for Big
Twin,HF,RoHSIntel D3 S4510 240GB M.2 SATA 6Gb/s3D TLC 22x80mm 1DWPDIntel3D XPointDC P4800X 375G
PCIe3.0HHHL AIC30DWPD FW435
Intel S4510 3.84TB, SATA 6Gb/s, 3D,TLC 2.5" 1DWPD, HF,RoHS---HDS-I2T0SSDSC2KB038T82x 10GbE RJ45 Intel X550-AT2, Gen3 x4
LP -- AOC-STGS-I2T-O

Node QTY

System Qty
128124814282841628HCIBench
Performance Results – Throughput and Latency
HCIBench is a performance testing tool for Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) environments t ensure optimal functionality
and resource utilization. This benchmark simulates real workloads scenarios that test the system and configuration
performance.
Supermicro compared the performance between Supermicro X13 BigTwin with 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors andthe Supermicro X11 BigTwin with 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors. The Supermicro X13 BigTwin achieved 4.7x higher
throughput with almost 2.5 million IOPS and 87.8% lower latency in the HCIBench test. These incredible results reflect how
the Supermicro X13 BigTwin can be the critical player for modern HCI environments that want to deliver optimal user
experience, effectively handle any workload, and ensure high availability.

© 2023 Copyright Super Micro Computer, Inc. All rights reserved

August, 2023

4HCIBench Throughput
Higher is Better
4.7x2500000

IOPS

2000000
1500000
1000000
5000001.00Intel® Xeon® Gold 6230N
Processor
8K Block Size 70% Reads 100% RandomIntel® Xeon® Gold 6448Y
Processor

16K Block Size 70% Reads 80% Random

32K Block Size 50% Reads 50% Random

HCIBench Latency
Latency (ms)

10.0

8.2

Lower is Better

8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0

1.00.0Intel® Xeon® Gold 6230N
Processor

Intel® Xeon® Gold 6448YProcessor

8K Block Size 70% Reads 100% Random

16K Block Size 70% Reads 80% Random

32K Block Size 50% Reads 50% Random© 2023 Copyright Super Micro Computer, Inc. All rights reserved

August, 2023

5

CAPEX Analysis – Performance Per Dollar
Its remarkable cost reduction signifies an important advancement in optimizing resource utilization, driving unparallel
efficiency, and reducing the total cost of ownership. Enterprises can channel their financial resources toward strategic growth
initiatives and innovations by substantially decreasing the capital expenditure required for hardware, software, andinfrastructure components.

HCIBench Throughput
Cost per 100M operations

Cost Reduction 3y CAPEX - Lower is Better$1.090

$1.20
$1.00

Up to 82%
less

$0.80
$0.60
$0.40

$0.310$0.444$0.096$0.20

In 32K Block Size
$0.155 $0.193$0.00Intel® Xeon® Gold 6230NProcessor
8K Block Size 70% Reads 100% RandomIntel® Xeon® Gold 6448YProcessor
16K Block Size 70% Reads 80% Random

32K Block Size 50% Reads 50% Random
Conclusion
The Supermicro X13 BigTwin with 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors is an advanced hardware solution that offers
numerous advantages when deployed in vSAN environments. The Supermicro X13 BigTwin is available in two highly flexible
form factors: 2U 2 Node and 2U 4 Node. This design offers customers unparallel options for achieving the perfect balance
between flexibility and density in their environments. Whether the goal is to maximize the number of compute nodes within alimited space or achieve optimal node count within a specific rack, the Supermicro X13 BigTwin provides the ideal solution.
This level of customization ensures that organizations can tailor their infrastructure to meet their precise requirements,
empowering them to efficiently utilize resources while maintaining the desired level of scalability.

References
1.

Supermicro X13 BigTwin https://www.supermicro.com/en/products/system/bigtwin/2u/sys-221bt-dntr

2.

Supermicro X11 BigTwin https://www.supermicro.com/products/system/2u/2029/SYS-2029BT-HNC0R.cfm

3.

vSAN Rady Nodea.

Supermicro X13 BigTwin SYS-221BT-DNTR

b.

Supermicro X11 BigTwin SYS-2029BT-HNC0R© 2023 Copyright Super Micro Computer, Inc. All rights reservedAugust, 20236SUPERMICROINTELIntel (Nasdaq: INTC) is an industry leader, creating worldAs a global leader in high performance, high efficiency server
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