Israel's CompuLab, makers of small form factor fanless desktop computer systems such as the Intense PC, is now pushing its way into the industrial server market with the launch of the uSVR. Available in configurations packing Intel's 3rd generation Core i7 processors and 32 GB of system memory, the high performance, ruggedized, fanless server is capable of modular expansion, too, courtesy of the company's Function And Connectivity Extension Module (FACE) system.
Processor choice for the uSVR fanless server runs to a 2.5 GHz (3555LE) or 1.7 GHz (3517UE) Core i7 CPU, both with Intel HD 4000 graphics, or an Intel Celeron 1047UE processor running at 1.4 GHz (with integrated Intel HD 2500 graphics).
There's support from up to 32 GB of dual channel ECC DDR3 RAM (1600 MHz) spread over two SO-DIMM sockets, and enough room inside the all-aluminum passively-cooled chassis for as many as four 2.5-inch 500 GB or 1 TB HDDs supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, or JBOD configurations. Up to 480 GB of mSATA SSD boot storage, and an eSATA port for hooking up to external drives, are also on offer.
An extended operating temperature range from a chilly -20° C right up to a baking 60° C (-4 to 140° F), combined with a distinct lack of vent holes and a low power draw of between 8 W and 35 W (depending on configuration and system load), is claimed to make the uSVR a good fit for use in harsh environments. The server can also be remotely managed thanks to Intel's Active Management Technology (version 8).
Each unit comes with HDMI 1.4a (for up to 1920 x 1200 resolution at 60 Hz) and DisplayPort (for up to 2560 x 1600 resolution at 60 Hz) interfaces, together with 7.1 channel S/PDIF digital audio in and out, a stereo line-out jack, and a microphone input.
There are two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports as standard, with the option to add another four USB 2.0 ports by installing a FACE module (an I/O extension system first seen in CompuLab's fit-PC3 mini-computer). Other FACE modules currently being offered include one that adds four gigabit Ethernet ports to the already included two, there's another that sports six serial ports, and another still that has two miniPCIe sockets.
Bluetooth 3.0 and 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless technology can also be configured into the setup as an optional extra.
The uSVR is available now, with a starting price of US$556 for volume orders.
Product page: uSVR
For a start it appears that the thing has to be taken apart to get at the disks - not good if you have a disk go down in a raid array. The other thing is I have never found a real server that requires sound or bluetooth or even Wi-Fi.
The other thing is how do they stack up in a rack without forced air fans?
Not having to be wired to the connected computers is so unserver like what will we ever do.
You will have to look at water-cooling to do the job and even that requires a fan to cool the water, albeit you can make a big and silent one.
Get a big enough radiator and no airflow is necessary. Shape the coolant loop properly and you wont need a coolant pump either. or Use an ionic air filter/mover or A well designed chimney but you will probably need an additional heat source.
Can they back the hardware from "failure" with 3 years unconditional two question asked warranty?