Intel Reincarnates VROC Functionality for Xeon Processors

[AleksandarK]

Intel's Xeon processors feature a wide range of embedded functionalities that the company has developed over the years. One such is the Virtual RAID on CPU (VROC) that enabled the functionality of an NVMe RAID card on the CPU, simplifying the installation, cost, and maintenance of high-performance storage arrays. Debuting in 2017, it is present in some consumer-facing Core models and Xeon Scalable platforms where it sees the highest usage. However, on January 6, Intel posted a product change notice that notified the users that the VROC function would be discontinued, with the last orders being placed on January 23 and the last shipping with VROC being made on March 31. This caused confusion, especially in the enterprise sector, which utilizes Intel Xeon processors for their workloads and storage arrays.

Tom's Hardware has reached out to Intel for clarification and got the following statement:

The PCN [Product Change Notice] was prematurely posted while the decision was under evaluation. After discussing with the ecosystem and customers we realize there is significant demand for this product and intend to continue to support it.

This means that the demand for VROC is excellent, and its support remains indefinite. To enable VROC functionality, keys ranging from 100-250 USD are plugged into the motherboard and allow the RAID to be configured without an installed 3rd party RAID card.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Arco]

So when are we getting microtransactions to buy cores or PCIe lanes?

 

[Chaitanya]

So when are we getting microtransactions to buy cores or PCIe lanes?

Not too far off, and it would be needed to justify salary of Gelsinger.

 

[bonehead123]

So when are we getting microtransactions to buy cores or PCIe lanes?

yesterday.... which is when they started deducting the monthly subscription fees from your bank account, read your friggin memo's man, hehehe

 

[wNotyarD]

So when are we getting microtransactions to buy cores or PCIe lanes?

Do Core Unlock for the Thuban Phenom II's count as loot boxes?

 

[Jism]

So when are we getting microtransactions to buy cores or PCIe lanes?

Sorry, your subscription on your chipset has just ended. Your motherboard has downgraded itself back to PCI-E 1.0 compatibility.

 

[Wirko]

To all those who are complaining ... you just need to buy the Xeon Palladium X9-9999, it has all the options unlocked forever already, no need to pay additional fees to Intel's locksmiths.

 

[LabRat 891]

Wait... modern Xeons lack NVMe RAID out of the box?
No wonder Intel was losing server/industry market-share.
IIRC, Even AMD's lowest-end CPUs and chipsets support NVMe RAID for FREE
(I was surprised to see the feature available on my Asus A320M-K)

edit:

Oops, we almost got caught trying to charge you for something you used to get for free. Nothing to see here, carry on.

I see now. The headline made it sound like it had been missing for longer, to me at least.

Glad Intel is finding out not to shortchange their most profitable customers.

 

[Crackong]

First I saw the title with 【VROC】 I thought Intel is finally going to make it free.
But nope
Intel is still Intel.

 

[Redwoodz]

Oops, we almost got caught trying to charge you for something you used to get for free. Nothing to see here, carry on.

 

[hat]

Well, that's pretty shady. First of all, what does $100-$250 even mean? Is it not just enabled or disabled? Why would the keys range in price? Let alone that they're double dipping by locking functionality that the processor already comes equipped with behind a paywall. All this for something that people generally recommend against, that is, onboard RAID solutions. People generally recommend add in cards, not only for better performance, but also for better reliability. If that motherboard ever dies, you have to find an exact replacement or your RAID will be inaccessible. With an add in card, if the card ever dies, you can likely find a replacement card.

 

[Scrizz]

I see a lot of people in the comments don't know what VROC is

Well, that's pretty shady. First of all, what does $100-$250 even mean? Is it not just enabled or disabled? Why would the keys range in price? Let alone that they're double dipping by locking functionality that the processor already comes equipped with behind a paywall. All this for something that people generally recommend against, that is, onboard RAID solutions. People generally recommend add in cards, not only for better performance, but also for better reliability. If that motherboard ever dies, you have to find an exact replacement or your RAID will be inaccessible. With an add in card, if the card ever dies, you can likely find a replacement card.

I would actually disagree and say that nowadays a lot of that stuff is happening in software at the file-system level (ie ZFS, etc). The HBA cards are used without hardware RAID.

 

[Wirko]

Well, datacenter owners' business decisions probably aren't governed by hate and resentment but love (for profits). So if the VROC feature is worth $250 to them, they'll pay. If AMD can't offer a similar thing, they may choose Intel just because of that.

A 2U storage module with 24 SSDs, a Xeon and enough RAM is probably in the $100k range so who cares about 250 dollars more?