This new Supermicro server looks very similar to a project that Open Source Systems (originally Open Source Storage) was working on before they went under. It was a brilliant idea, and I'm glad to see that someone was able to take their design mainstream (Somewhat). It looks like the team at OSS was ahead of their time. I know their product management team was very sharp and forward thinking (My friend Calvin worked there at the time). Of course 2+ years ago, there were no "Twin" style half width boards, so the most they could do was 2 full size motherboards in a 2U. But all of the other benefits of this system were present in the original OSS design. Dell also took the same idea for use by there Data Center Services group..Take a look at the link to the original design below, and then visit www.linksv.com and type "Open Source Systems" in the search bar to see the originators of this design. (Eren Niazi, Ivan Secoquian, Brian Rodriguez, Mark Rotzow, Jared Giles, etc.)

Original OSS Design:

http://weblog.infoworld.com/sustainableit/archives/2007/05/oss_injects_gre.html

"In early mach" - they may be fast, but not fast enuf.....

So, despite being "not a blade server" this is a blade server with the blades mounted horizontally...

Little purple release tabs on the drives? Check

Hints at something similar being released by HP? Check

Wonder if HP are rebadging it?

Similar designs using mini itx orm factors have been around for ages.Lex, travla, etc

lolol, you're kidding right? This is so far ahead of 4 crap mini-itx motherboards with VIA C7 on them bolted down inside a 1U case that's it's unreal. Just one Dual Core CPU is going to pee all over the 4 VIA C7, not to mention the ease of which a dead motherboard can be swapped out. You're having a laugh I'm afraid.

"it would make a sweet cluster in a 2U format."

until the shared PSU packs up!

OSS was ahead of their time with just a fraction of R&D that the larger companies could put into it. OSS and their development team are wholeheartedly responsible for this design. They couldn't help it if Supermicro or Dell stole the idea, but please give the OSS team the props they deserve!

Eren Niazi, Ivan Secoquian, Brian Rogriguez, Jared GIles, Mark Rotzow, etc. They were the real ones behind the design.They were also the first company to include high efficiency power supplies, that were eventually adopted by Supermicro (Coldwatt) fot this design. Funny how people try to take credit for what others have done. The valley is a very unique place in that they will lie, cheat and steal in order to get what they want. Pathetic yes, but standard. Most people should feel a sort of moral wrong doing, but honestly, they are so far detached from being respectable people, that they do not care.

Original OSS Design:

http://weblog.infoworld.com/sustainableit/archives/2007/05/oss_injects_gre.html

Let us know when a vendor that's capable of doing QA and willing to pay the fees to have their gear certified releases something like this. Until then, this is a giant step down in the being-able-to-sleep-nights sweepstakes.