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Data Center
Platform Management
Scalable, secure platform management from power sequencing to custom BMC in the right sized FPGA.
Scalable, Secure Platform Management
Managing platforms in a data center requires careful orchestration of servers, switches, accelerators, storage, power and cooling elements. Everything must be instrumented and communicating telemetry in real time to function at peak performance. This involves massive sensor aggregation and the infrastructure to manage all the pieces securely and intelligently.
Altera FPGAs (MAX 10, Agilex 3, Agilex 5) are optimal for instrumenting this infrastructure. From small, self-configuring devices rich with I/O, to highly integrated SoCs, these FPGAs can scale from basic power sequencing to complete BMC telemetry solutions in a single, adaptable, secure SoC. The inclusion of programmable logic provides the flexibility to implement the functions you need, faster than designing an ASIC, with the ability to modify and upgrade them in the field.
The Challenges, and Why FPGA
The Challenge
Too Much to Manage
There are too many power supplies and sensors, and not enough interfaces to connect them all.
Why FPGA
More I/O and More Flexibility
FPGAs are rich with a variety of I/O options, and the functionality is configurable, so you never run out of I2C buses.
The Challenge
Component Sprawl
Solving problems with discrete components consumes board real-estate and aggravates procurement challenges.
Why FPGA
Integrated Custom SoC
SoC FPGAs combine all the major functions needed for management applications, saving space and reducing the number of components to source.
The Challenge
Constantly Evolving Standards
Protocols and security standards are continuously evolving speeding component obsolescence.
Why FPGA
Inherently Adaptable
The reconfigurable nature of FPGAs makes them adaptable. Soft IP can be modified to keep up with the standards churn.
Why Altera
The Right Portfolio
From simple, self-configuring, single supply FPGAs, to full DC-SCM capable SoCs.
Higher Performance
Performance optimized processors, modern memory interfaces, and Hyperflex FPGA Architecture.
Better Tools
Quartus Prime Design Software and targeted development hardware to enable success.
Data Center Heritage
Altera FPGAs have been running datacenters for years and we are investing for the future.
More Data Center Applications
AI Inference
Moves and pre-processes data for the compute- and memory-bound phases of inference so GPUs in disaggregated clusters stay fed.
DPU & AI NIC
Offloads RDMA, OVS, and security protocols for ultra-low, deterministic latency in DPUs and AI NICs.
Storage
Moves NVMe-oF protocol, encryption, and compression into a deterministic, line-rate hardware pipeline.
Common Questions
Any Agilex 3 or 5 E-Series SoC FPGAs with hard processors are supported.
MAX10 FPGAs are ideal for managing power supply sequencing. They include integrated flash for configuration and data storage, and they can run from a single supply, and they have an integrated ADC for measuring voltages. See our Multi-Rail Power Sequencer and Monitor Reference Design for an example of what it can do.
Altera supports its FPGA families for the full lifecycle of a data center program, with key devices committed for availability through at least 2045, alongside ongoing tool and support updates.
Yes, Altera supports many of the OCP and OpenBMC standards directly, and with some of our partners.
It is possible to combine all three functions on the same board, but in modular designs they may not be located on the same board.