ASRock Rack 1U8S2E-ICX/2T Barebone System

Designed for data centers, virtualization clusters, and enterprise workloads, the ASRock Rack 1U8S2E-ICX/2T Barebone System delivers dense, reliable performance in a compact 1U chassis. Built around the Intel C621A chipset and a single LGA-4189 socket, this barebone provides a sturdy foundation for a high-capacity, scalable server node. It’s optimized for memory-intensive tasks, fast storage, and robust remote management, making it an ideal building block for software-defined storage, virtualization hosts, HPC nodes, and edge deployments where space and energy efficiency matter. With eight DIMM slots, integrated NVMe/ SATA storage options, and the ASPEED AST2500 management controller, the 1U8S2E-ICX/2T offers a balanced blend of performance, reliability, and manageability in a versatile, rack-mountable platform.

• Single-CPU capability in a compact 1U rack-mountable frame: This barebone system provides 1 x Processor Support on the LGA-4189 socket, underpinning Xeon-ready performance through the Intel C621A chipset. It’s engineered to handle virtualization, databases, and analytics workloads with efficiency, while leaving room to tailor the exact CPU to your workload and thermal constraints. The design prioritizes stable power delivery and scalable performance, so you can deploy demanding applications without sacrificing density.
• Robust memory architecture with eight DIMM slots: The system supports DDR4 SDRAM at DDR4-3200 speeds (PC4-25600) with ECC for data integrity. With eight memory slots, you gain substantial RAM capacity to improve virtualization density, in-memory databases, and caching workloads. Careful memory population enables high throughput and low latency across multiple virtual machines or containers, delivering responsive performance even under heavy I/O conditions.
• Flexible storage options for data and OS: The 1U8S2E-ICX/2T barebone includes Serial ATA/600 connectivity for traditional drives and an NVMe controller for high-speed PCIe storage. A dedicated M.2 interface further expands OS and application storage options, enabling fast boot drives, fast scratch space, and rapid data access. This combination provides versatile storage topology—ideal for OS boot, hypervisor layers, databases, or high-speed caching—while maintaining a clean separation between fast local storage and bulk-capacity drives.
• Integrated management with ASPEED AST2500: Featuring the ASPEED AST2500 controller with 16 MB graphics memory, this barebone delivers robust out-of-band management capabilities. The dedicated management processor supports remote console, IPMI-based monitoring, and chassis health reporting, ensuring administrators can diagnose and manage the server remotely. Pairing AST2500 with a standard RJ-45 network port means you can manage the system from anywhere in your data center, reducing on-site visits and improving uptime.
• Enterprise-ready form factor and build quality: The 1U rack-mountable chassis is purpose-built for dense data center environments, offering a clean foundation for a scalable server node. The barebone approach lets you select and configure the CPU, memory, and storage that precisely match your workload, rack space, and power budgets. Whether you’re assembling a cluster for virtualization, accelerating databases, or delivering a high-performance compute node at the edge, this barebone is designed to integrate smoothly into standard rack deployments while staying energy-efficient and maintenance-friendly.

Technical Details of ASRock Rack 1U8S2E-ICX/2T Barebone System

• Product family: Barebone system for data center and enterprise use
• Form factor: 1U rack-mountable chassis
• CPU socket: LGA-4189 (1 x Processor Support)
• Chipset: Intel C621A
• Memory: DDR4 SDRAM DDR4-3200/PC4-25600, 8 total memory slots, ECC support
• Storage interfaces: Serial ATA/600 ports; NVMe controller; 1 x M.2 interface
• Management and graphics: ASPEED AST2500 with 16 MB graphics memory for remote management and IPMI
• Networking: RJ-45 network port
• Notes: Barebone system typically requires user-supplied CPU, RAM, and storage drives to complete the build

How to install ASRock Rack 1U8S2E-ICX/2T Barebone System

This barebone system is designed to be completed with your choice of processor, memory, and storage. Follow these general steps to assemble and deploy the server node, then configure it for your operating environment. Before you begin, verify compatibility for an Intel Xeon Scalable processor that fits the LGA-4189 socket, compatible DDR4 ECC RAM, and storage drives that suit your performance and capacity requirements. Steps: Install the compatible CPU into the LGA-4189 socket and secure the heatsink or cooling solution recommended by ASRock Rack; install the eight DDR4 memory modules into the DIMM slots according to the memory population guidelines for your workload and channel configuration; insert an M.2 drive into the M.2 interface for OS or fast-boot storage, and connect any NVMe devices you plan to use if applicable; attach SATA drives if you require bulk storage, configuring the SATA controller to your OS preferences. Mount the barebone in your 1U rack, connect power, network, and any required management cables for the ASPEED AST2500 controller; power on and enter the BIOS/UEFI to configure boot order, memory timings, and any RAID or storage settings. Use the ASRock Rack management tools to initialize IPMI networking, enable remote management, and monitor hardware health. Finally, install your operating system via USB or network boot and apply any firmware or BIOS updates from the vendor to ensure security and performance optimizations are in place. Keep in mind that CPU, memory, and storage components are typically user-supplied with barebone systems, so plan for compatibility, heat dissipation, and power requirements in your rack environment.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What CPUs are compatible with this barebone system?

  A: The ASRock Rack 1U8S2E-ICX/2T supports Intel Xeon Scalable processors that fit the LGA-4189 socket. The motherboard/board chipset combination is based on the Intel C621A, designed to deliver reliable performance for data center workloads. Always verify the exact CPU model, TDP, and cooling compatibility with your chassis before purchase to ensure proper power delivery and thermal management.

• Q: How much memory can I install and what type?

  A: The system provides eight DIMM slots for DDR4 SDRAM at 3200 MT/s with ECC support. This enables substantial RAM capacity to support virtualization, in-memory databases, and high-concurrency workloads. Populate the DIMMs according to the manufacturer’s guidelines to maximize memory bandwidth and stability for your specific workload and memory type (ECC vs non-ECC) in your environment.

• Q: What storage options are available?

  A: The barebone includes Serial ATA/600 ports for traditional drives, an NVMe controller for high-speed PCIe storage, and a dedicated M.2 interface for ultra-fast OS or application storage. This setup offers flexible storage topology—fast boots and workloads on the NVMe and M.2, with bulk storage through SATA drives as needed for data volumes, logs, and backups.

• Q: Does this system provide remote management?

  A: Yes. The ASRock Rack 1U8S2E-ICX/2T features an ASPEED AST2500 management controller with 16 MB graphics memory, delivering out-of-band management, remote console access, and health monitoring. This enables administrators to manage firmware, monitor temperatures and voltages, and perform remote troubleshooting without relying on an in-rack operator, improving uptime and reliability.

• Q: What is included with the barebone system?

  A: As a barebone system, essential chassis, motherboard, and base management are provided, but CPU, memory modules, storage drives, and power supplies are typically user-supplied. This allows you to tailor the configuration precisely to your workloads and power budgets while integrating into an existing rack and management infrastructure. Check the vendor's specifications for any bundled accessories or recommended components.