CEO Steve Tuck and friend Steve Klabnik talk about recent announcements, the launch of the Oxide Cloud Computer, and raising $44m. They discuss the surprise reception, their transparent approach, and engaging with journalists. The hosts share funny anecdotes about a food dehydrator and challenges in finding suitable journalists. They also cover logistics, investors, pricing challenges, troubleshooting, and the benefits of open-source software.
Oxide's cloud computer aligns with the NIST definition of cloud computing, despite misconceptions about it not being considered true cloud due to lack of rental aspect.
The pricing of Oxide's solution depends on factors like the number of sleds and memory per sled, providing competitiveness compared to traditional vendor servers.
Positive and constructive engagement on platforms like Hacker News is crucial for setting the right tone and preventing negative comments from derailing the conversation.
Misunderstandings about the definition of cloud computing arise from different interpretations of cloud concepts and terminology, but Oxide's cloud computers meet the NIST criteria.
Deep dives
The podcast discusses the misconceptions about cloud computing
One of the main misconceptions revealed in the podcast episode is the belief that cloud computing must be rented, and as such, Oxide's solution is not considered cloud. This misconception is countered by citing the NIST definition of cloud computing and its emphasis on on-demand access to a shared pool of resources, which aligns with Oxide's offering.
The pricing model for Oxide's cloud computers is clarified
Some listeners had concerns about the lack of pricing information on Oxide's website, with the 'contact sales' response being seen as evasive. However, the podcast reassures listeners that the pricing of Oxide's solution depends on factors such as the number of sleds and the amount of memory per sled. The episode highlights that Oxide's pricing can be competitive when compared to configuring servers from traditional vendors. The need for a configurator on the website is acknowledged to provide more clarity and transparency in determining pricing.
The importance of setting the right tone for comments
The podcast acknowledges the significance of the initial comments and engagement on platforms like Hacker News. The positive and constructive tone of the comments on the Oxide announcement post is noted, as well as the overall positive reception. The podcast emphasizes the significance of setting the right tone early to encourage meaningful engagement and prevent negative comments from derailing the conversation.
Setting the record straight on misconceptions about Oxide's offering
The episode addresses misconceptions raised in the comments section, particularly regarding the definition of cloud computing and the belief that Oxide's solution does not fit the criteria. The podcast clarifies that Oxide's cloud computers meet the NIST definition and challenges the notion that the cloud must be rented, indicating that misunderstandings can arise from different interpretations of cloud concepts and terminology.
Improved efficiency and cost benefits of oxide pricing
Oxide's pricing model offers a balance of on-demand and reserve pricing, with the latter being significantly cheaper. This demonstrates the real hardware behind the service and the ability to offer completely elastic compute resources without upfront visibility of compute usage. However, the true scalability and compute capacity come at a higher cost, challenging the idea of unlimited resources.
The significance of fans and power consumption
The podcast episode highlights the often overlooked impact of fans on power consumption and efficiency. While fans for AC power supplies are typically disregarded, they contribute significantly to power consumption and thermal management within data centers. By improving energy efficiency and minimizing power consumed by fans, it is possible to increase rack density and compute capacity.
Openness, transparency, and lessons learned
Oxide's commitment to openness and transparency is emphasized in the podcast. The team values customer feedback, actively addresses issues, and is dedicated to sharing information and addressing vulnerabilities. While recognizing the challenges faced, such as hardware root of trust vulnerabilities, the aim is to continuously learn, improve, and deliver on the promise of providing an open and secure infrastructure.
Oxide Founder and CEO, Steve Tuck, joined Bryan, Adam, and Oxide Friend, Steve Klabnik, to talk about our recent announcements: general availability of the Oxide Cloud Computer, and raising $44m. The reception was (broadly) great! Bryan and Steve answered questions about the product, company, and launch.
If we got something wrong or missed something, please file a PR! Our next show will likely be on Monday at 5p Pacific Time on our Discord server; stay tuned to our Mastodon feeds for details, or subscribe to this calendar. We'd love to have you join us, as we always love to hear from new speakers!
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