FWA-6512 is a unique high performance network application platform designed for maximum packet processing throughput by cleverly balancing the processing of network traffic from eight PCIe 3.0 based Network Mezzanine Cards (NMC) across four Intel® Xeon® processors. Equipped with the latest Intel® Xeon® E5-4600 Processor Series, formerly codenamed Ivy Bridge EP4S, the FWA-6512 platform offers the ideal performance, scalability, memory flexibility and network capacity for managing the most demanding packet processing workloads. The platform comes in a compact, leading edge 2U enclosure with a highly reliable thermal design and scalable modular architecture for the ultimate in I/O configurability. 32 PCIe 3.0 lanes per CPU socket are routed to the NMCs offering 8Gbps per lane for maximum I/O throughput. A broad portfolio of front-loading, field replaceable NMCs are available to choose from. They offer a variety of 1, 10 and 40GE port counts for up to 320 Gbps I/O connectivity and with a range of standard LAN bypass options. In addition, up to four internal PCIe x16 low profile adaptors can be installed internally for acceleration, co-processing and offload requirements. These include adaptors based on the Intel® Communications Chipset 8955 with Intel® QuickAssist Technology.
 
For handling large workloads, 32 DIMMs (8 per CPU socket) enable increased memory density for configurations up to 1TB RAM using 32GB LRDIMMs offering greater flexibility and granularity to network equipment providers. Two hot-swappable SATA disks or SSDs (2.5") can be mounted at the front of the system. The FWA-6512 has an exclusive internal architecture based on a stacked motherboard configuration which considerably improves cooling, installation and serviceability when compared with other quad socket platforms. The dual motherboard design provides better thermal performance by uncoupling the thermal influence between CPUs. Moreover, PCB layer count is reduced and PCIe 3.0 signal integrity is improved as trace lengths to connectors are shorter, and overall acoustic noise is reduced. With a power supply requirement of only 1500W, lower fan speeds are employed which reduces stress and yields better MTBF. For improved maintenance purposes, the motherboards slide out from the rear of the system, allowing the FWA-6512 to be upgraded or repaired without the need for removal from the server rack. Further reliability has been built in to the system through carrier grade IPMI and BIOS features including redundant BIOS, remote BIOS configuration and IPMI firmware upgrades. Fail safe HPM.1 upgrades can be made on all components and Intel® platform RASUM features are supported.
 
For operation and management needs, the FWA-6512 provides a comprehensive set of front panel features including 2 x RJ45 GbE Mgmt ports, 1 x RJ45 console, 1 x USB, 1 x power button, 3 x status LED (power LED, status LED, alert LED). The platform is available with a choice of redundant 1400W AC and 1500W DC power supplies for deployment in carrier or data center environments. Overall, the FWA-6512’s ultra-dense design incorporates the ultimate performance, availability, flexibility and expandability available on a network application platform in a 2U form factor. In addition the design allows for more flexibility when the system or I/O needs to be customized for specific ODM requirements.