The mission of the Works on Arm project is to enable open-source software developers to build, test, and optimize for the arm64 architecture. To this end, Packet (an Equinix Company) and Arm have built a program running since 2017 that provides free access to modern Arm servers from various Arm server vendors to qualified projects. There is a straightforward application process - Fill out a request form on the Github page for the Works on Arm cluster.
A number of categories are already represented with projects that are using the cluster. CI/CD resources are available for users of Travis CI and Drone Cloud, offering native arm64 build environments on each system. Language support provided by the program includes projects that are building and testing the latest versions of Bazel, Go, Haskell, Rust, LLVM, and GCC. Databases like ScyllaDB use the arm64 hardware to validate program correctness and performance. Operating system developers from NixOS, Debian, and CentOS use the cluster to build thousands of packages for use on arm64 systems.
A priority for our support efforts is to work with projects that are providing core infrastructure to the ecosystem and that can make use of single tenant, high performance dedicated bare-metal hardware to that end. Many of our deployments run ongoing build systems for jobs that run continuously. For those projects that do not require continuous access, we host CI platforms for Drone Cloud and Travis CI that can be integrated into your build system.
The current hardware configuration is Packet’s c2.large.arm system, which is based on Ampere’s eMag processor. Some older c1.large.arm systems based on Marvell’s ThunderX processor are still in use. The cluster hardware plans are to refresh with new Ampere Altra based systems when those are available some time in late 2020.
Packet provides world-class support for these systems, with 24x7 systems coverage for issues, and community-based support through Arm Infrastructure Solutions Forums and the Works on Arm channel on Discord. Going forward expect to see periodic posts on community.arm.com for Works on Arm updates. Follow @ArmSoftwareDev for all the latest developments in the Arm Infrastructure Software Ecosystem, and do not forget to register for Arm DevSummit to be held.
If you have a project that can use some arm64 compute resources to help you optimize your program or language. Or build the latest version of your code, if you want to engage in the development of latest arm64 systems, Works on Arm provides a ready avenue for assistance with your effort with access to technology and expertise.
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