NVIDIA VCA delivers ultra-fast GPU acceleration remotely to creative teams
NVIDIA has introduced the industry’s first visual computing appliance, enabling businesses to deliver ultra-fast GPU performance to any Windows, Linux or Mac client on their network.
NVIDIA GRID VCA is a 4U appliance with 16 NVIDIA GPUs and NVIDIA GRID VGX software to provide NVIDIA Quadro-class graphics performance for up to 16 concurrent users
The NVIDIA GRID Visual Computing Appliance (VCA) is a GPU-based system that runs complex applications such as those from Adobe, Autodesk and Dassault Systèmes, and sends their graphics output over the network to be displayed on a client computer. The company claimed this remote GPU acceleration gives users the same rich graphics experience they would get from an expensive, dedicated PC under their desk.
Aimed at small and medium-size businesses with limited IT infrastructures, it allows employees to create a virtual machine called a workspace. These workspaces – which are, effectively, dedicated, high-performance GPU-based systems – can be added, deleted or reallocated as needed.
“NVIDIA GRID VCA is the first product to provide businesses with convenient, on-demand visual computing,” said Jen-Hsun Huang, co-founder and chief executive officer, NVIDIA. “Design firms, film studios and other businesses can now give their creative teams access to graphics-intensive applications with uncompromised performance, flexibility and simplicity.”
A 4U appliance, the NVIDIA GRID VCA features 16 NVIDIA GPUs and NVIDIA GRID VGX software, providing NVIDIA Quadro-class graphics performance for up to 16 concurrent users, with low latency, high resolution and maximum interactivity.
“We’ve had enormous success using remote GPU acceleration on our content-creation applications,” said James Fox, chief executive officer at Dawnrunner, a San Francisco-based film production company. “Thanks to NVIDIA GRID VCA, we don’t spend weeks configuring workstations and transcoding files and projects. Instead, we have more time to deliver a higher quality product for our customers. And we can take on new projects with tighter deadlines.”
“Performance is important for creative professionals, and our long-standing relationship with NVIDIA has assured they are able to work with images and videos in a much faster, smoother, more engaging way,” said Shantanu Narayen, president and chief executive officer, Adobe. “NVIDIA and Adobe have a shared goal of providing our customers with the latest technology advancements with flexible deployment options so they can focus on their jobs and have more time to be creative. The innovative advancements in virtualization introduced today with the NVIDIA GRID is an exciting new direction that underscores that commitment.”
“NVIDIA GRID VCA enhances the design experience for SolidWorks users from any PC or Mac,” said Bertrand Sicot, chief executive officer, SolidWorks, Dassault Systèmes. “With centralized access to fast GPUs, designers can more quickly and easily deliver high-quality 3D models.”
“NVIDIA GRID VCA will provide tremendous functionality and performance for our small business customers,” said Carl Bass, president and chief executive officer, Autodesk. “It delivers easy, high performance GPU access to our applications for the highest quality design and visualization experience.”
The NVIDIA GRID portfolio – comprised of hardware, software and appliances – delivers GPU acceleration from data centres to any user. It includes NVIDIA GRID enterprise solutions; the NVIDIA GRID Visual Computing Appliance (VCA) for small and medium-size businesses; and the NVIDIA GRID Cloud Gaming Platform for gaming-as-a-service companies.
The GRID VGX Software library is a suite of technologies that enables GPU based virtualized solutions including graphics enablement in hypervisors, and accelerated remote streams to end-users
Available in the USA in May from authorised value-added resellers, NVIDIA GRID VCA is offered in 8 GPU or 16 GPU configurations, with pricing starting at $24,900, plus an annual software license of $2,400.
