MDS Micro Tech Field Day Presentation

MDS Micro presents their Cloud Matrix architecture, featuring the Quad-V mini blade system, a highly modular and efficient server solution optimized for virtualization environments. Developed in close collaboration with VMware engineers, the Cloud Matrix is designed to offer enterprise-grade performance while reducing footprint, power consumption, and cost, addressing the evolving needs of data centers.

During the presentation at Tech Field Day 1, Karriem Adams of MDS Micro explained the origins and purpose of the Quad-V system, emphasizing its modular 2U chassis that houses four hot-swappable servers. Unlike traditional blade chassis requiring full racks regardless of actual demand, Quad-V allows enterprises to scale incrementally. Designed in collaboration with VMware architects, Quad-V was engineered to address both performance bottlenecks and space inefficiencies. The Cloud Matrix consists of two main components: the server layer built on these Quad-V blades, and the networking layer powered by Zeego switches providing high-bandwidth InfiniBand connectivity. This combination enabled data center setups, such as VMware’s 2009 VMworld event booth, to consolidate operations from 14 racks to just half of one.

Adams also highlighted the Cloud Matrix’s technical advantages, including integrated InfiniBand for high-speed I/O, support for multiple processor platforms within a single chassis, and a hot-swappable, low-power design with on-board virtualization support. The solution supports various storage configurations, from traditional drives to SSDs, while remaining hardware agnostic, ensuring seamless integration with existing data center infrastructure. With support for up to 384 GB of RAM and 48 cores per chassis, and software like SimpleView for unified IPMI-based management, Cloud Matrix delivers high density, scalability, and power efficiency. The system can fit 84 servers, up to 672 cores and over 8TB of RAM in a single 42U rack, making it a compelling option for enterprises looking to enhance their virtualization capabilities while maintaining flexibility and reducing TCO.