Transforming the Data Center with ARM

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1 WHITE PAPER Transforming the Data Center with ARM Maximizing Energy, Scalability, and Performance in the Modern Data Center

2 IT leaders looking to modernize their computer, networking and storage systems have begun to adopt ARM processor-based systems for missioncritical workloads. SUSE is a leader in delivering an enterprise-grade Linux distribution that is fully supported and optimized for the diverse and unique capabilities of solutions built on ARM processors. Exascale Computing in Today s Digital Economy fact, nearly all smartphones and most small electronic devices such as network routers, WiFi access points, and consumer electronics run on ARM processors. More than 17 billion chips based on ARM technology were shipped in 016. With its history in mobile devices, ARM Ltd. is poised to revolutionize the data center with dense, energy-efficient, low-cost chips. The 100 billion ARM chips that have shipped over the past twentyfive years enable a broad range of computing and connectivity, powering everything from smartphones to supercomputers. Unlike other providers, ARM does not directly produce processors but instead licenses the design to thousands of partners that use this design to develop their own processors. This has resulted in a tremendous diversity of ARM system on a chip (SoC) processors in the market. SoC vendors are free to augment the ARM design by adding additional elements such as workload accelerators and I/O devices. Across the globe, today s digital economy is transforming rapidly. With the rise of cloud technologies, an increasingly mobile and social universe, and the exponential growth of data, our digital culture has never seen such dramatic change. In fact, by 00, more than 1.7 megabytes of new information will be created every second for every human being on the planet adding up to zettabytes (or trillion gigabytes). 1 According to Ashish Nadkarni, IDC program director, The ever-increasing appetite of businesses to embrace emerging big data-related software and infrastructure technologies while keeping the implementation costs low has led to the creation of a rich ecosystem of new and incumbent suppliers. As the digital landscape continues to transform, the enterprise IT organization must adopt new approaches to optimizing the data center while supporting agile development processes. It requires a modern data center that is both energy efficient and powerful enough to support exascale computing. ARM-Based Chip Shipments ARM-powered SoCs shipped (billions) Financial Years 17.7 bn 15.1 bn 016 A New Reality: ARM in the Modern Data Center 3% 100 billion A leading provider of microprocessor technology, ARM Ltd. (a SoftBank company) is beginning to play a prominent role in the evolution of servers in the modern data center. ARM Ltd. rose to power with chips designed for smartphones and tablets. In Market share in 016 ARM-based chips shipped to date Source: ARM Holdings, Q 016 Roadshow Slides

3 Given the company s history in mobile computing, ARM processor designs tend to be inherently energy efficient. The simpler architecture of ARM processors enables low power consumption and high density, up to 8 cores per socket today, often at a lower cost. The combination of ARM technology with the diversity of SoC vendors enables a wide variation in capabilities that supports diverse, mission-critical workloads. For example, a high-density, high core count offers the power required for high-performance computing; a low-density, medium core count is optimal for virtualization and storage server workloads; and a low-density, low core count is ideal for industrial automation workloads. For IT organizations looking to reduce costs by increasing server density, ARM servers are a viable alternative to x86- based systems. With support for DDR and the latest I/O and networking technologies, ARM server chips are becoming increasingly competitive, offering greater density with performance on par with X86 processor-based servers at a lower solution cost. According to IDC and others, ARM is continuing to gain traction in the server and networking markets. In 015, the company s market value was $15 billion with less than 1% market share. In 00, that number is projected to increase to $0 billion with 5% market share. For networking infrastructure in 015, the company s market value was $13 billion with 15% market share. In 00, market value is projected to rise to $16 billion with 5% market share. 3 ARM can attribute this growth, in part, to its licensing model. With a network of multiple partners, mainly leading semiconductor companies, the ARM business model establishes a trusted partnership of shared success across multiple markets. These SoC partners have the flexibility to design ARM-based products targeted to the specific workloads their customers require. ARM Market Opportunity ARM Servers ARM Networking $15bn* $150M 015 3% $13bn* $1,950M <1% of server chips Market 15% share of chips in $0bn $5,000M 00 3% $16bn $7,00M 5% of server chips Market 5% share of chips in 016 *based on ARM and market data *based on ARM and market data Source: ARM Holdings 015 3

4 ARM Server Chip Vendors Partner Processor Name Cores/SoC Sockets Potential Use NXP Freescale QorIQ LS101A 1 1 Low power communications Marvell Armada Xilinx Zync Ultrascale + MPSoC 1 1 Control plane Gateway IOT Embedded Rockchip RK General purpose low power NXP Freescale QorIQ LS Communications AMD Seattle A Cavium Octeon TX 8 1 General purpose Networking Security HiSilicon Hip07 D05 3 Hyperscale computing MACOM (formerly Applied Micro) X-Gene3 Skylark 3 1 Web front end Cavium ThunderX 8 ThunderX 3 HPC Web caching Scaleout Security Qualcomm Centriq 00 8 Hyperscale Computing The ARM-Based Data Center: Ready for Prime Time With a number of SoC partners driving new adoptions and collaborations, ARM proves ready for widespread adoption in the modern data center. Among several noteworthy applications, Fujitsu uses ARM technologies for a supercomputer in Japan, and Cray has delivered an ARMpowered supercomputer to a UK consortium. Also of note is the collaboration between Cavium and Microsoft who developed ARM-based servers to accelerate cloud services. With a Windows-based server on ARM, Microsoft is moving beyond Intel in its Azure cloud. According to Gopal Hegde, VP and general manager at Cavium, ARM-based servers have come a long way with first generation ThunderX-based server platforms being deployed at multiple data centers, which enabled a critical mass of ecosystem partners for ARM. We see the second-generation products helping to drive a tipping point for ARM server deployment across a mainstream set of volume applications. Microsoft s support will help accelerate commercial deployment of ARMv8 server platforms for Data Centers and Cloud. Microsoft Azure s Dr. Leendert van Doorn, distinguished engineer, agrees. We re impressed with the innovation and competitiveness of the latest generation of ARM server processors, like ThunderX, and are excited about the roadmap. 5

5 Building the ARM-Powered Data Center with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server SUSE has been working with ARM for many years. In 016, SUSE created the first commercially supported 6-bit Linux distribution for the ARM platform with the introduction of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 1 Service Pack. With upstream Linux kernel version., chosen specifically for ARM, and more than 3,000 packages, SUSE provides partners with an enterprisegrade Linux distribution that enables 6-bit ARM servers to deliver optimal performance, reliability, and scalability for dataintensive, mission-critical workloads. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for ARM enables solution developers to: Accelerate innovation and deployment for a broad choice of open source and partner solutions. Provide a solid, mission-critical foundation for emerging 6- bit ARM servers while exploiting unique ARM capabilities for storage, networking, and high-performance computing. Deliver a high-performance platform for rising business demands with improved application performance, scalability for growth, and instant data access. SUSE Linux supports an expanding list of ARM SoC vendors including AMD, Cavium, HiSilicon/Huawei, MACOM/Applied Micro, Marvell, NXP/Freescale, Qualcomm, RockChip, and Xilinx. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 1 for Raspberry Pi SUSE now supports the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, a $35 computer with a 6-bit ARM processor. Packaged as an image ready to be copied onto an SD card, the distribution includes compilers, development tools, source software, and a free, one-year, self-service subscription. The device is enabled for WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI, Ethernet, and GPIO. Leveraging the work done on ARM chips, the Raspberry Pi provides an easy, low-cost way to adopt SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for both hobbyists and commercial use. Resources 1 IDC, IDC Digital Universe Study: Big Data, Bigger Digital Shadows and Biggest Growth in the Far East, 011. IDC, Worldwide Big Data Technology and Services Forecast, , November ARM Holdings, 015 PRNewswire, Cavium and Microsoft Collaborate to Accelerate Cloud Services with ThunderX, March Ibid. 5

6 For more information, contact your local SUSE Solutions Provider, visit us online or call SUSE at: (U.S. and Canada) (Worldwide) SUSE Maxfeldstrasse Nuremberg Germany www. 017 SUSE and the SUSE logo are registered trademarks of SUSE LLC, in the United States and other countries. All other third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.