Supermicro BigTwin Multi-Node System
The Supermicro BigTwin is a multi-node architecture delivering four dual-socket server nodes within a 2U shared-infrastructure chassis. Engineered for hyperconverged infrastructure, cloud clusters, and dense virtualization, BigTwin provides shared redundant titanium-level power supplies, node-level hot-plug serviceability, and hybrid NVMe/SATA/SAS drive configurations per node.
Specifications
| Brand | Supermicro |
|---|---|
| Family | BigTwin |
| Form factor | 2U 4-node |
| Released | Mar 2017 |
| Form factor | 2U 4-node |
| Sockets | 8 |
| Processor family | Intel Xeon Scalable / AMD EPYC |
| Memory slots | 64 |
| Max memory | 8TB |
| Drive bays | 24x 2.5-inch hot-swap NVMe/SATA/SAS |
| Power supplies | 2x 2200W Redundant Titanium |
Works together
How the Supermicro BigTwin Multi-Node System connects to servers, storage and the network: 4 ways, with the parts and products on each path.
Fibre Channel SAN
Match the speed: 16Gb and 32Gb FC HBAs, switches and array ports work together, and each generation also runs one or two speeds below its own (a 32Gb port runs at 16Gb and 8Gb).
Switches
Brocade G-Series G610 1U
Cisco MDS 9132T 1U
Dell Connectrix DS-6620B 1U rack
Dell PowerSwitch S4148U-ON 1U switch
Storage
Lenovo ThinkSystem TS4300 Tape Library 3U rack
NetApp E-Series E5700 2U/4U rack
Dell Unity 350F 2U rack
Dell Unity 450F 2U rack
Dell Unity 550F 2U rack
Dell Unity 650F 2U rack
Optics
57-1000262-01 Brocade 16G FC SFP+ ELWL 25 km
57-1000333-01 Brocade 32G FC SFP+ SWL
57-1000487-01 Brocade 16G FC SFP+ SWL
iSCSI and NVMe/TCP over Ethernet
Keep the speed the same at all three points: a 25GbE server, a 25GbE switch port and a 25GbE array port. Mixed speeds work but the slowest link sets the pace.
Adapters for the server (check the fit list)
AOC-A100G-B2CM Supermicro AOC-A100G-b2CM: OCP 3.0 AIOM 2x 100GbE QSFP28 PCIe 4.0 x16 Broadcom BCM57508
AOC-A25G-B2S-P Supermicro AOC-A25G-B2S-P: AIOM 2-port 25GbE SFP28, Broadcom BCM57414
AOC-A25G-B2SM Supermicro AOC-A25G-b2SM: OCP 3.0 AIOM 2x 25GbE SFP28 PCIe x8 Intel E810-XXVAM2
AOC-A25G-I2SM Supermicro AOC-A25G-i2SM: OCP 3.0 AIOM 4x 25GbE SFP28 PCIe x8 Intel E810-CAM1
Switches
Arista 7020R 7020TR-48 1U fixed switch
Arista 7060X 7060CX2-32S 1U fixed switch
Arista 7280R 7280CR2-60 2U fixed switch
Arista 7280R 7280SR2K-48C6 1U fixed switch
Storage
- NetApp E-Series E5700 2U/4U rack
Dell Isilon A2000 4U 4-node chassis
Dell Isilon F800 4U 4-node chassis
Dell Isilon H400 4U 4-node chassis
Dell Isilon H500 4U 4-node chassis
Dell Isilon H600 4U 4-node chassis
Optics
QSFP-100G-CWDM4-AR Arista 100GBASE-CWDM4 QSFP28 Optical Transceiver Module
QSFP-100G-LR4-AR Arista 100GBASE-LR4 QSFP28 Optical Transceiver Module
QSFP-100G-SR4 Arista 100GBASE-SR4 QSFP28 Optical Transceiver
Direct-attached SAS
12Gb SAS uses Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8644) connectors; older 6Gb gear uses Mini-SAS (SFF-8088). Adapter cables exist, but the link runs at the slower speed.
Adapters for the server (check the fit list)
AOC-S3008L-L8E Supermicro AOC-S3008L-L8E: Standard LP, 8 internal ports (12Gb/s) Gen-3; HBA
Storage
Lenovo Lenovo Storage DS2200 2U rack
Lenovo ThinkSystem DS4200 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge MX5016s blade
Lenovo ThinkSystem DE2000H 2U rack
Lenovo ThinkSystem DE4000F 2U rack
Dell PowerVault ME4012 2U rack
File storage (NFS and SMB)
Front-end ports face the clients; back-end ports (on scale-out systems) connect the nodes to each other and need their own switch pair.
Adapters for the server (check the fit list)
- AOC-A100G-B2CM Supermicro AOC-A100G-b2CM: OCP 3.0 AIOM 2x 100GbE QSFP28 PCIe 4.0 x16 Broadcom BCM57508
- AOC-A25G-B2S-P Supermicro AOC-A25G-B2S-P: AIOM 2-port 25GbE SFP28, Broadcom BCM57414
- AOC-A25G-B2SM Supermicro AOC-A25G-b2SM: OCP 3.0 AIOM 2x 25GbE SFP28 PCIe x8 Intel E810-XXVAM2
- AOC-A25G-I2SM Supermicro AOC-A25G-i2SM: OCP 3.0 AIOM 4x 25GbE SFP28 PCIe x8 Intel E810-CAM1
Switches
- Arista 7020R 7020TR-48 1U fixed switch
- Arista 7060X 7060CX2-32S 1U fixed switch
- Arista 7280R 7280CR2-60 2U fixed switch
- Arista 7280R 7280SR2K-48C6 1U fixed switch
Storage
Dell Isilon A200 4U 4-node chassis- Dell Isilon F800 4U 4-node chassis
- Dell Isilon H400 4U 4-node chassis
- Dell Isilon H500 4U 4-node chassis
- Dell Unity 350F 2U rack
- Dell Unity 450F 2U rack
Optics
- QSFP-100G-CWDM4-AR Arista 100GBASE-CWDM4 QSFP28 Optical Transceiver Module
- QSFP-100G-LR4-AR Arista 100GBASE-LR4 QSFP28 Optical Transceiver Module
- QSFP-100G-SR4 Arista 100GBASE-SR4 QSFP28 Optical Transceiver
Plan and size it
- Draw this setup in the topology planner mrplanb.com
- Add up rack power and space rack-density.com
- Virtualization storage Ledger: scored storage platforms mrplanb.com
- SAN transport and NVMe over FC for backup mrplanb.com
Check compatibility with Supermicro
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Supermicro has tested with the Supermicro BigTwin Multi-Node System.
- Compatibility Supermicro tested memory, drives and add-on cards (per system page)
- Support Supermicro Support
Equivalent models from other brands
FAQ
What is the primary advantage of the Supermicro BigTwin architecture?
BigTwin packs four independent 2-socket server nodes into a single 2U chassis, maximizing compute density and power efficiency with shared redundant power supplies.
How does BigTwin handle storage across nodes?
Each node controls its own dedicated group of six 2.5-inch drive bays, supporting mixed NVMe and SAS/SATA drives directly routed to node backplanes.
Buying or selling BigTwin Multi-Node System?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- Supermicro BigTwin Multi-Node System Specification, checked 2026-10-28