SolidRun HoneyComb LX2K runs Linux on NXP’s 16-core -A72 LX2160A

SolidRun has announced pre-sales for $550 for its developer-oriented “early access” edition of a high-end networking board that features NXP’s 16-core, Cortex-A72 LX2160A. The beta-stage HoneyComb LX2K early version board will ship in September, and the $750 model with extra features will go on sale in October 2019. The HoneyComb LX2K is a sandwich-style board designed based on a COM Express Type 7 module, and it’s equipped with 2x 10GbE SFP+ ports and a standard GbE port. The LX2160A is presently the highest-end model in NXP’s series of networking-oriented QorIQ Layerscape processors.

The LX2160A offers twice as many Cortex-A72 cores as the Layerscape LS2084, which features in Imago’s VisionBox Le Mans and EdgeBox computers. The 16-core SoC enables datapath acceleration optimized for L2/3 packet processing, security offload, and robust traffic management and quality of service.

The early version of the HoneyComb LX2K clocks at 2.0GHz while the final version will clock the processor at 2.2GHz. The processor is loaded into the CEx7 LX2160A Type 7 module, that features up to 64GB of dual-channel DDR4. The early version’s RAM clocks at  2900MT/s while the final version will boost the clock rate to 3200MT/s.

The module on the early version offers 64GB eMMC while the final version lists “eMMC.” The Mini-ITX board which houses the module is fitted with a microSD slot, 4x SATA III ports, and an optional M.2 2240/2280 slot built to support SSDs. It features dual 10GbW SFP+ slots and Ethernet slots, and also an open PCIe x8 Gen 3.0 slot that can support x16 boards. The 170 x 170mm module features USB ports 3x USB 3.0, 3x USB 2.0, a micro-USB serial debug port, and “USB to STM32 for remote management, with also a GPIO header.

The HoneyComb LX2K features an ATX power supply, and will be available in 0 to 70°C and -40 to 85°C models. The early version doesn’t have an optional metal enclosure like the final model, and its software support is limited to Linux 4.14x. The final version lists support for mainline Linux, UEFI, and U-Boot, and additionally, SBSA compliance. SolidRun says that the early version does not support the “workstation configuration” available for the final model.

More information can be found in the SolidRun’s announcement, product page, and shopping page.

Please follow and like us: