🛠 Deploy a High-Speed Storage and Network Node

Objectives

This tutorial aims to configure the Xerxes Nano as a high-performance edge node, simultaneously leveraging NVMe storage via the M.2 port and high-speed network connectivity via the SFP+ cage. We will cover hardware preparation, storage mounting, fiber link configuration, and performance validation. This scenario is ideal for applications requiring localized data processing with rapid uplink to a central server.

Required Hardware

• Xerxes Nano board (with Jetson Orin Nano Super or Turing RK1 module inserted)
• NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3, 2280 or 2242 form factor)
• SFP+ module compatible with your network switch
• Fiber optic cable or appropriate DAC
• PoE power supply (compatible switch) or USB-C power supply
• Precision screwdriver and heatsink (if not provided)
• Workstation with SSH access for software configuration

Steps

1. Physical Preparation: Ensure the board is powered off. Insert the compute module into the SO-DIMM connector of the Xerxes Nano. Insert the NVMe SSD into the M.2 slot located under the module. Use the provided mounting bracket to secure the drive. Attach the heatsink to the module if necessary for passive or active cooling.

1. Fiber Link Installation: Insert the SFP+ module into the dedicated cage. Connect the fiber or DAC cable to the SFP+ module and your switch. Verify that activity LEDs are lit. If using PoE, connect the RJ45 Ethernet cable to the Xerxes Nano's PoE port and ensure the power jumper is set to 'PoE'. Otherwise, use USB-C.

1. Storage Configuration: Boot the system. Open an SSH terminal. Identify the new disk with lsblk. Format it as ext4: sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/nvme0n1. Create a mount point: sudo mkdir /mnt/nvme. Mount the disk: sudo mount /dev/nvme0n1 /mnt/nvme. For permanent mounting, add an entry to /etc/fstab.

1. Network SFP+ Configuration: Identify the network interface associated with the SFP+ (often eth1 or enp1s0) with ip link. Configure a static IP or DHCP according to your infrastructure. For maximum performance, ensure jumbo frames mode is enabled if your network supports it: sudo ip link set dev eth1 mtu 9000.

Verification

Test storage speed by writing a test file: dd if=/dev/zero of=/mnt/nvme/testfile bs=1G count=1 oflag=direct. Verify network connectivity with ping -s 8972 <gateway_ip> to validate jumbo frames. Use iperf3 between the Xerxes Nano and a remote server to measure actual throughput in Gbps.

Further Reading

Explore OCuLink to connect an external GPU and accelerate AI tasks processing locally stored data. Consult the open-source KiCad files to understand PCIe routing and adapt BIOS configurations if necessary.