GPU Server Upgrade: Netstor NA255A-G4

Starline partner Netstor has developed a PCIe Gen4 enclosure that elevates a standard computer to the rank of a GPU server. Thus, High Performance Computing (HPC) is also possible in an 'off-the-shelf' server through multi-GPU use – even independent of the operating system.

Starline has added the new PCIe Gen4 desktop GPU enclosure NA255A-G4 from Netstor to its portfolio. The TurboBox Pro uses the latest PCIe 4.0 technology to communicate with the server on 16 lanes - i.e., with a total of 256 Gbps. This is particularly beneficial for GPU-accelerated applications. The GPU enclosure has four PCIe 4.0 x16 slots on the backplane, which can be equipped with fast graphics cards.

GPU acceleration for rendering solutions

After all, ordinary servers only have a CPU and the integrated graphics processor to give professional applications a boost. For many of them, however, these processors are not powerful enough. By adding the Netstor NA255A-G4, the server mutates into a supercomputing workstation and excels in the following areas:

8K DaVinci Resolve Configuration
NA255A-G4 is suitable for working on 8K UHD videos with the latest version of DaVinci Resolve - the world's most advanced colour grading application software. The GPU enclosure provides high-performance processing for servers/workstations to help colourist teams/studios create digital content and enable real-time 8K/4K Ultra HD colour grading.
Healthcare organisations
The medical imaging sector also requires the benefits of multi-GPU computing. For example, the NA255A-G4 can accelerate MRI reconstruction and computed tomography reconstruction. The use of multiple graphics cards is common in this segment. Therefore, there are correspondingly many applications for this purpose.
General analytics
Scientific tools such as MATLAB, LabView, Mathematica and many others require additional resources for their numerical calculations. Thus, the external enclosure provides the necessary computing power of multiple GPUs, which, by the way, can be more than ten times that of a single CPU.
AI, machine learning and deep learning
More and more analysts are using multiple GPUs to process large amounts of data in order to make business-relevant decisions in real time. In Big Data, for example, machine learning, deep learning, search, or sorting are among the most important tasks.

Solid hardware as a foundation

Since modern graphics cards require a lot of energy, the TurboBox Pro was designed to effectively supply each of them with power. To this end, the developers have planned twelve 6+2-pin PCIe power cables for the up to four high-performance graphics cards running simultaneously.

In addition, the developers have worked closely together to provide the necessary heat dissipation via an innovative ventilation design. The two 12-centimetre fans with adjustable speed, for example, ensure the necessary air circulation inside the case.

GPU cards with 320 mm length (full length) and 130 mm height (full height) with triple thickness are suitable for the NA255A-G4. The PCIe4.0 card for the host required for operation is included in the scope of delivery. The user does not need any software or drivers for installation. This means that the Netstor NA255A-G4 can be used in Mac, Windows, and Linux environments.

Availability

You can download high-resolution images here. The TurboBox Pro NA255A-G4 from Netstor is soon available from Starline. The price - without GPUs - is currently 4,111.- Euro net for the set.