What is xiNAS?

xiNAS is a cutting-edge NFS server solution powered by the high-performance xiRAID Classic engine, delivering unparalleled performance and exceptionally low resource consumption. Designed specifically for AI, HPC, and data-intensive workloads, xiNAS enables organizations to build scalable, high-throughput storage systems that keep pace with modern computational demands.

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Architecture

Built on proven software RAID technology, xiNAS combines the simplicity of the Network File System protocol with enterprise-grade performance, supporting both traditional TCP/IP and high-speed RDMA connectivity. Whether you're training AI models on NVIDIA DGX systems, running HPC simulations, or managing virtualized environments, xiNAS provides the speed, reliability, and scalability your applications demand.

xiNAS delivers exceptional NFS performance through a carefully engineered stack that optimizes every layer from raw NVMe storage to client connectivity:

Storage Foundation: xiRAID Classic
At the lowest level, xiNAS leverages xiRAID Classic, a high-performance kernel-based software RAID engine that aggregates NVMe drives into resilient, high-throughput storage arrays.
Filesystem Layer: Aligned XFS
Built directly on top of the RAID arrays, an optimized XFS filesystem provides POSIX-compliant storage with geometry precisely aligned to the underlying RAID configuration.
NFS Server Layer: NFSoRDMA
The NFS server runs in user space, presenting the XFS filesystem to network clients with extensive performance tuning.
Network Infrastructure: Infiniband/RoCE
High-bandwidth, low-latency networking connects clients to the NFS appliance.

Configuration Examples

1. xiRAID + 1U 16 Server

Single AMD EPYC 9384X with 32 cores
128+ GB RAM
1x 400Gbs CX7 card
10x E3.S 15TB KIOXIA CM7-R PCIe 5 drives
2x E3.S 2TB KIOXIA CM7-R PCIe 5 drives
RAID6 on 10 drives for data
RAID1 on 2 drives for FS journal

Expected performance:

Sequential read: 45 GB/s
Sequential write: 20 GB/s

2. xiRAID + 2U 24 Server

Single AMD EPYC 9474F with 48 cores
128+ GB RAM
2x 400Gbs CX7 card
18x U3 15T Micron 7450 SSD PCIe 5 drives
2x E3.S 3TB Micron 7450 SSD PCIe 5 drives
RAID50 on 18 drives for data
RAID1 on 2 drives for FS journal

Expected performance:

Sequential read: 90 GB/s
Sequential write: 45 GB/s

Key Use Cases

AI & Machine Learning

Model Training: Fast data loading read speeds keeps GPUs saturated
Checkpointing: sync writes minimize checkpoint times and reduce idle GPU periods
Dataset Management: Efficient handling of large datasets for distributed training
Inference Serving: Low-latency data access for real-time inference workloads

High-Performance Computing

Scientific Simulations: High-throughput storage for computational fluid dynamics, weather modeling, and molecular dynamics
Parallel Processing: NFSoRDMA enables efficient multi-node parallel access
Data Analysis: Fast sequential reads for post-processing large simulation outputs

Media & Entertainment

4K/8K Video Rendering: High sequential read/write for video editing workflows
Real-time Asset Streaming: Low-latency access for VFX and animation pipelines
Collaborative Workflows: Multi-user access to shared media assets

Advantages

High Performance

Saturate network bandwidth to keep multiple GPUs busy at all times
Maximize hardware capabilities

Resilience Without Compromise

Protection against multiple drive failures
Near-zero performance degradation in case of drive failure

Tested and Validated

Tunings implemented at all software layers
Fully supported by Xinnor