Xserve redux / Mac Pro 7,1 rack version

[Flint Ironstag]

It's not called Xserve, but the chassis and use cases are similar enough (I think) to warrant discussion here. Any rackmount specific information is likely to get drowned out in the MP forum; I'd like this thread to consolidate everything we know.

- looks like 5-6U
- ports & power buttons have been relocated from the top to the front
- rackmount handles of course
- lights out module?
- redundant PSUs?
- possible revival of Apple Remote Desktop?
- stay of execution for MacOS Server app?

More questions than answers right now, but looking forward to its release. I have clients ready for this since the original was axed.

 

[seek3r]

It's not called Xserve, but the chassis and use cases are similar enough (I think) to warrant discussion here. Any rackmount specific information is likely to get drowned out in the MP forum; I'd like this thread to consolidate everything we know.

View attachment 840841

- looks like 5-6U
- ports & power buttons have been relocated from the top to the front
- rackmount handles of course
- lights out module?
- redundant PSUs?
- possible revival of Apple Remote Desktop?
- stay of execution for MacOS Server app?

More questions than answers right now, but looking forward to its release. I have clients ready for this since the original was axed.

I feel like if there was anything like LOM or redundant PSUs they would have mentioned it? Especially if it comes with a major revamp of Server... Unless maybe it's not finalized yet?

My bet is it's the same exact machine with the ports/buttons/handles relocated for rack mount targeted at render farms in large deployments and and people with smaller mobile racks for all their gear that need to be brought on prem, as well as helping with companies that virtualize OSX in the cloud for build machines and the like and would like better options than the custom racks for minis and the 2013s they have now.. and not targeted at anyone using them for general servers/compute nodes/etc.

Hope I'm wrong though.

 

[Flint Ironstag]

We shall see. Also interesting is Metal's capability to see all GPUs as a single, monolithic GPU. Imagine a rack of MP 7,1 with maxed out dual GPU modules, connected via Mellanox / Infiniband, 10Gb ethernet, whatever. It does open some possibilities.

The MacOS forensics crowd are practically wetting themselves.

 

[Silencio]

Despite the background photo above, this configuration has to be aimed at the equipment racks in audio / edit / color rooms where the Mac Pro will be used as a workstation, not server rooms where the Mac Pro will be used as a CPU / GPU render node. With only a single CPU and slots for four double-height graphics cards, the Mac Pro simply does not offer enough density for render node usage in most cases.

 

[seek3r]

Despite the background photo above, this configuration has to be aimed at the equipment racks in audio / edit / color rooms where the Mac Pro will be used as a workstation, not server rooms where the Mac Pro will be used as a CPU / GPU render node. With only a single CPU and slots for four double-height graphics cards, the Mac Pro simply does not offer enough density for render node usage in most cases.

Virtualizing OSX for cloud-based build machines is a pretty big market too that could be served by racks of the new MPs, companies already do it with custom racks for the trash can MPs and minis.

 

[Flint Ironstag]

Despite the background photo above, this configuration has to be aimed at the equipment racks in audio / edit / color rooms where the Mac Pro will be used as a workstation, not server rooms where the Mac Pro will be used as a CPU / GPU render node. With only a single CPU and slots for four double-height graphics cards, the Mac Pro simply does not offer enough density for render node usage in most cases.

There are more use cases than just rendering.

 

[hobowankenobi]

Will be interesting. Having run a half dozen xserves over the years....all the way back to the first gen G4 (which was as loud as a shop vac by the way...) would be great to see these new beasts racked up.

But with Apple throwing in the towel on general purpose servers, at least with regard to Server services, seems like render farms, and other related uses (VR/AR?) could be the niche they are going to target. If so, I could see them not offering redundant or swappable power supplies.

Or maybe they will do something new and different with VMs?

Not really sure what to expect...except something other than traditional/general purpose services.