Qnap TS-2888X AI-Ready NAS for Machine Learning

Qnap Systems, Inc. launched the TS-2888X, an AI-ready NAS specifically optimized for AI model training.

Built using Intel Corp.‘s Xeon W processors with up to 18 cores and employing a flash-optimized hybrid storage architecture for IO/s-intensive workloads, the TS-2888X also supports installing up to four high-end graphics cards and runs the company’s AI developer package QuAI. It packs everything required for machine learning AI, reducing latency, accelerating data transfer, and eliminating performance bottlenecks caused by network connectivity to expedite AI implementation.

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Conventional AI workstations usually have massive price tags, and the complexity of configuring hardware and software is an obstacle for most data scientists and developers. The use of public clouds for storage and training may also raise concerns when using sensitive data. TS-2888X introduces an all-in-one AI solution that integrates storage potential, powerful computing, a ready-to-use AI environment, and data protection to supplement AI workflows. It not only serves as a ‘Training Server for AI models’, but can also serve as an ‘Inference Server’, thereby further lowering the R&D entry barrier, making AI development more feasible and easily accessible.

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“The age of AI is upon us, and we are witnessing its transformative effects throughout a wide range of industries, including healthcare, IT, retail, and surveillance,” said David Tsao, product manager, Qnap. “The TS-2888X AI-Ready NAS combines storage, computing, and a user-friendly AI software environment to reduce the time and complexity of implementing and managing AI tasks, while also providing cost-efficient and accessible AI development.”

The AI-Ready TS-2888X features Xeon W processors with up to 18 cores and 36 threads and up to 4.5 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 to deliver performance. Up to 512 GB DDR4 ECC RDIMM 2666 MHz RAM is supported, providing ample space for huge projects while protecting against potential memory errors. It supports mainstream NVIDIA, AMD and Intel accelerator cards, providing eight PCIe slots and a 2,000W 80Plus Platinum PSU that accommodates up to four high-end graphics cards to unleash computing power. To meet the simultaneous needs for scale and performance, the TS-2888X employs a hybrid storage architecture with eight 3.5-inch 6Gb SATA drive bays for HDDs, sixteen 2.5-inch 6Gb SATA drive bays for SSDs, and four 2.5-inch drive bays that support U.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe SSDs. This hybrid storage architecture provides the ability to enable SSD caching or auto-tiering to boost performance-demanding applications. There are six fans that separately detect temperatures in different zones (CPU, PCIe slots, power supply unit, and storage) to provide smarter, quieter, and energy-efficient cooling.

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The TS-2888X introduces a software environment for organizations to set up and maintain AI applications. The QuAI – an AI developer package to quickly build, train and optimize AI models running on the NAS – enables a range of open-source tools and frameworks (including Caffe, TensorFlow, AlexNet, FaceNet, and more) for the AI workflows readily available to users. The TS-2888X also features backup tools and snapshot protection to assure data security while also allowing efficient disaster recovery.

The company’s AI solution has been put into practice in cooperation with a medical research institute in Taiwan, and realized a healthcare AI diagnostic system for age-related macular degeneration. The AI result improves diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, and also creates possibilities to aid organizations that lack medical resources.

Key specs of TS-2888X:
Xeon W processor, up to 18 cores/36 threads with Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz; up to 512GB DDR4 ECC 2,666MHz quad-channel RAM (8x64GB); 4×2.5-inch U.2 PCIe Gen3 x4NVMe SSD drive bays, 16×2.5-inch 6Gb SATA SSD drive bays, 8×3.5-inch 6Gb SATA drive bays; 8xPCIe Gen3 slots (including eight 6+2 pin power connectors); 2×10 GBASE-T LAN ports, 4xGbE RJ45 LAN ports; 6xUSB 3.1 Gen1 ports, 4xUSB 2.0 ports; 2,000W power supply unit; 6x12cm fans; LCM display; 4xrotating wheels with stoppers.

Read also:
CES: Qnap Showcases AI Ready NAS, Refreshes Edge Computing PoE Switch    
Including TS-2888X AI-Ready NAS all-in-one AI solution, OpenVINO Workflow Consolidation tool deep learning package, HS-453DX NAS and TBS-453DX NASbook, Cloud Gateway service ‘CacheMount’, NAS as edge computing PoE switch, Puzzle series, TVS-x72XT Thunderbolt NAS series, QSW series 10GbE/NBASE-T switches, and TR-004 USB 3.0 RAID expansion
January 18,  2019 | Press Release

Qnap TS-2888X AI-Ready NAS With Xeon W Processor and Hybrid Storage Architecture     
With up to 18 cores and 36 threads and up to 4.5GHz, eight PCIe slots, supporting 8 3.5-inch 6Gb SATA HDDs, 16 2.5-inch 6Gb SATA SSDs, and 4 2.5-inch U.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe SSDs
November 6, 2018 | Press Release