Azure NC-Series: GPU-Optimized Virtual Machines
Microsoft Azure offers the NC-series, a family of GPU-optimized virtual machines designed for high-performance computing (HPC), AI, and deep learning workloads. NC-series VMs combine powerful NVIDIA GPUs with high-performance CPUs for compute-intensive tasks.
Key Features of NC-Series
1. Powered by NVIDIA GPUs
- NC-series VMs are equipped with NVIDIA Tesla K80, P100, or V100 GPUs, depending on the generation.
- Optimized for AI training, HPC simulations, and GPU-accelerated computing.
2. High-Performance CPUs
- Uses Intel Xeon E5 or Scalable processors, providing strong CPU support for GPU workloads.
- Ensures efficient CPU-GPU interaction for demanding applications.
3. GPU Memory
- Each GPU provides 12–32 GB of GPU memory, supporting large-scale deep learning and HPC models.
- Ideal for applications requiring high GPU memory and compute.
4. High-Speed Networking
- Supports InfiniBand or high-throughput Ethernet, ensuring low-latency communication for multi-GPU clusters.
- Optimized for distributed computing and HPC workloads.
5. Flexible Machine Sizes
- Predefined machine types range from NC6 (1 GPU, 6 vCPUs) to NC24 (4 GPUs, 24 vCPUs).
- Allows scaling based on workload requirements.
6. Integration with Azure Ecosystem
- Compatible with Azure Machine Learning, Azure Storage, and other Azure services.
- Supports NVIDIA CUDA, cuDNN, TensorFlow, and PyTorch for optimized GPU workloads.
Use Cases
- AI and Machine Learning: Model training, deep learning, and inference.
- High-Performance Computing (HPC): Simulations, scientific computing, and data modeling.
- Graphics Rendering: GPU-accelerated rendering for visualization and media applications.
- Data Analytics: GPU-accelerated analytics on large datasets.
Instance Types and Specifications
| Instance Type | vCPUs | Memory | GPUs | GPU Memory | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC6 | 6 | 56 GB | 1 x K80 | 12 GB | 12 Gbps |
| NC12 | 12 | 112 GB | 2 x K80 | 24 GB | 25 Gbps |
| NC24 | 24 | 224 GB | 4 x K80 | 48 GB | 50 Gbps |
| NC24r | 24 | 224 GB | 4 x K80 | 48 GB | RDMA |
Note: Specifications and availability vary by region. See the Azure NC-Series VMs page for the latest details.
Conclusion
Azure NC-series VMs provide GPU-accelerated performance for HPC, AI, and deep learning workloads. With NVIDIA Tesla GPUs, high-performance CPUs, and scalable networking, NC-series VMs are ideal for enterprises, researchers, and developers requiring GPU power on Azure.