In an exciting announcement that is set to change the game for cloud computing, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched its latest offering—the High Memory U7inh EC2 instance. This cutting-edge instance, developed in collaboration with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), is engineered to handle enormous, mission-critical in-memory database workloads like SAP HANA with unprecedented efficiency.

What’s under the hood?

The U7inh instance operates on HPE's robust 16-socket Compute Scale-up Server 3200 and is powered by the innovative AWS Nitro System. This ensures users experience a fully integrated, top-notch managed environment comparable to existing EC2 instances. With the power of fourth-generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors (Sapphire Rapids), the U7inh instance can handle a staggering 32 terabytes (TB) of memory and comes equipped with an impressive 1,920 virtual CPUs (vCPUs). This makes it a standout choice for organizations seeking the highest compute performance available in the AWS Cloud for substantial workloads.

Significant Upgrades over Predecessor

When compared to its predecessor, the U7i instances—which offered 896 vCPUs and 32 TB of memory—the U7inh doubles the vCPU count and ramps up the Elastic Block Store (EBS) bandwidth to a blazing speed of up to 160 Gbps. This significant upgrade translates to lightning-fast data hydration, backup, and restore operations, making it a critical asset for businesses relying on real-time data processing. Moreover, the U7inh instance boasts a network bandwidth capability of up to 200 Gbps while supporting ENA Express.

What does this mean for SAP users?

The U7inh instance is SAP-certified, ensuring seamless compatibility with critical applications like Business Suite on HANA, Business Suite S/4HANA, Business Warehouse on HANA (BW), and SAP BW/4HANA in production settings. It even supports scale-out SAP HANA OLTP workloads, allowing for deployment in clusters of up to four U7inh instances, collectively capable of handling a jaw-dropping total of 128 TB. This feature is especially attractive for companies managing extensive data tasks.

Industry Insights

According to Channy Yun, a Principal Developer Advocate for AWS, businesses are demanding superior performance combined with enhanced resources to derive real-time business insights while scaling their applications. He also emphasized the feedback from clients currently using HPE servers on-premises, eager to migrate to AWS and leverage the cloud's benefits with their existing hardware.

System Compatibility

For those wondering about system compatibility, the U7inh instance supports a variety of operating systems, including Amazon Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and SUSE Enterprise Linux Server. Specifically for SAP HANA workloads, it is compatible with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3 and later, as well as Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6/9.0.

Availability

Currently, the U7inh instance is available for purchase in the US East (N. Virginia) and US West (Oregon) AWS Regions through a convenient 3-year Savings Plan. With these groundbreaking features, AWS is solidifying its role as a leader in cloud technology, providing organizations with the tools necessary to transform their complex SAP landscapes and optimize their operations like never before! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to boost your business’s efficiency and performance in the cloud!