Equinix Metal

Basic information

Equinix Metal is a Bare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) offering that provides dedicated physical servers with cloud-like provisioning and automation. The service was officially launched in October 2020, building upon the Packet platform acquired by Equinix in March 2020. As a service, it does not have a single version number; instead, it undergoes continuous platform updates and API versioning.

Minimum requirements for users typically involve an internet connection and familiarity with APIs or command-line interfaces for provisioning and management. Equinix Metal supports a broad range of operating systems, including various Linux distributions such as AlmaLinux, Alpine Linux, Debian, Flatcar Linux, FreeBSD, Rocky Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Ubuntu. It also supports VMware Cloud Foundation, VyOS, and Windows Server. Users can also deploy custom operating system images.

The latest stable versions refer to the continuously updated platform and the most recent validated OS images provided by Equinix Metal, which are kept as close to upstream releases as possible. However, several operating systems are scheduled for retirement in early 2025, including AlmaLinux, Alpine Linux, Flatcar Linux, FreeBSD, VyOS, Nutanix, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and 9, and Ubuntu 20.04.

A critical development is the announced end of life (EOL) for the Equinix Metal service, scheduled for June 30, 2026. Commercial sales of new Equinix Metal instances have ceased, and new feature development is no longer prioritized. There is no auto-update expiration date for the service itself, as operating system updates and maintenance are the user's responsibility post-provisioning.

Equinix Metal operates on a subscription-based model, offering both pay-as-you-go and on-contract pricing options. Open-source operating systems are provided at no additional cost, while licensed operating systems like Windows Server may incur per-core hourly fees or require users to bring their own licenses. The deployment model is Bare Metal as a Service, allowing for the rapid, automated provisioning of dedicated physical servers in Equinix's global data centers.

Technical Requirements

Equinix Metal offers various server plans designed for different workloads, featuring high-performance components. Available processors include options from Intel, AMD, and ARM architectures. RAM configurations vary across server plans, catering to diverse memory-intensive applications. Storage options typically include high-speed NVMe, SSD, and traditional HDD, often available directly on the server or as dedicated storage arrays.

For connectivity, servers are generally equipped with dual Network Interface Cards (NICs), supporting speeds of 10 Gbps or 25 Gbps. These NICs are typically bonded using Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) for redundancy and increased throughput. Out-of-band management is provided via Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI), offering hardware telemetry, power cycling, and remote console access. Display capabilities are not applicable as it is a bare metal server offering.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

The technical requirements emphasize dedicated, high-performance hardware, providing users with raw compute power without the virtualization overhead common in public cloud environments. This makes Equinix Metal particularly suitable for demanding workloads requiring consistent performance and low latency. The diverse processor and storage options offer flexibility for various use cases, from general-purpose computing to specialized high-performance applications. The robust networking infrastructure, including bonded NICs and IPMI, ensures reliable connectivity and remote management capabilities, crucial for enterprise-grade deployments. The ability to provision a wide array of operating systems further enhances its versatility, allowing users to tailor the environment to their specific software stacks.

Support & Compatibility

Equinix Metal benefits from continuous platform updates, ensuring that the underlying service infrastructure remains current. The service supports a wide array of operating systems, including various Linux distributions (e.g., AlmaLinux, Debian, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu), VMware Cloud Foundation, and Windows Server. Users also have the flexibility to bring their own custom OS images.

However, several OS versions are scheduled for retirement in early 2025, including VyOS, Nutanix, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and 9 (March 5, 2025), AlmaLinux, Alpine Linux, Flatcar Linux, and FreeBSD (January 5, 2025), and Ubuntu 20.04 (April 1, 2025). The overall end of support date for the Equinix Metal service itself is June 30, 2026, after which the service will be sunset.

Localization is a strong point, with Equinix Metal available in over 18 global metros across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific regions, allowing users to deploy infrastructure close to their end-users for reduced latency. Available drivers are typically integrated within the provided OS images, or users manage drivers for their custom OS deployments.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Equinix Metal historically offered strong compatibility and global reach, providing a wide selection of operating systems and strategic deployment locations. This allowed businesses to build distributed, low-latency infrastructures. However, the announced end-of-life for the service by June 30, 2026, significantly impacts its long-term support status. While existing customers are supported until the sunset date, and specific OS versions are being retired earlier, the lack of new feature development and the impending shutdown necessitate migration planning for all users. This situation transforms what was a robust support and compatibility offering into a transitional one, requiring users to seek alternative solutions.

Security Status

Equinix Metal leverages the robust physical security of Equinix International Business Exchange (IBX) data centers, which include multiple checkpoints, 24/7 manned security, mantraps, and biometric readers. The service provides dedicated single-tenancy, ensuring physical isolation of hardware and eliminating "noisy neighbor" issues, which enhances security for sensitive workloads. Network isolation is achieved through a top-of-rack (TOR) switch architecture that separates server traffic.

Security features include annual third-party penetration tests against web-facing applications, APIs, and network backbone services. Authentication methods support Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for user access, API keys, and Identity and Access Management (IAM) components, with federation options for integrating customer Identity Providers (IDP). All access logs are securely retained for troubleshooting and forensic analysis.

Equinix Metal holds various industry certifications, including ISO 27001, SOC 2, and PCI DSS, which are regularly audited by external third parties. While the platform provides a secure environment, encryption support for data at rest and in transit is primarily the customer's responsibility. Equinix operates under a shared responsibility model, where customers are responsible for securing their operating systems, applications, and data.

General recommendations for users include encrypting customer data, utilizing intrusion detection and monitoring, firewalls, anti-virus protection, and regularly backing up data. There is no information indicating a blacklist status for Equinix Metal.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

Equinix Metal offers a strong security posture, primarily due to its foundation on Equinix's highly secure global data centers and its bare metal, single-tenancy architecture. The physical isolation of hardware, coupled with enterprise-grade certifications (ISO, SOC 2, PCI DSS) and regular security audits, provides a high level of assurance for the underlying infrastructure. The platform's support for MFA, API keys, and IAM further strengthens access control. However, the shared responsibility model means that users must actively implement and manage security within their deployed operating systems and applications, including data encryption. This model empowers users with control but also places a significant burden on them to maintain a secure environment. Overall, the security rating is high for the infrastructure, with user-managed security being the primary variable.

Performance & Benchmarks

Equinix Metal, as a bare metal service, delivers raw, dedicated performance by eliminating the virtualization layer overhead found in traditional cloud virtual machines. This results in consistent performance and predictable latency, making it highly suitable for performance-sensitive applications. Real-world performance metrics highlight its capability for low-latency connectivity and high throughput, crucial for demanding workloads.

The service is particularly well-suited for data-intensive workloads such as AI/ML training and inference models, High-Performance Computing (HPC), big data analytics, and database applications. It also provides a robust foundation for gaming servers, Kubernetes clusters, and edge deployments.

Specific benchmark scores are not publicly detailed for the general service, but the inherent nature of bare metal ensures maximum utilization of CPU, RAM, and storage resources. Power consumption and carbon footprint are managed by Equinix's overarching sustainability initiatives, which include efforts to use 100% clean and renewable energy in some regions.

When compared to similar assets like public cloud virtual machines (e.g., Amazon EC2), Equinix Metal offers greater control over the underlying hardware and avoids the "noisy neighbor" problem, providing more consistent performance. It competes with other bare metal providers by offering global reach and deep integration with the Equinix Fabric interconnection platform.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

The overall performance status of Equinix Metal is excellent for workloads requiring dedicated resources and predictable performance. Its bare metal architecture ensures minimal overhead, delivering high throughput and low latency essential for compute-intensive and data-intensive applications. The ability to deploy close to end-users in numerous global metros further enhances performance by reducing network latency. While specific benchmark numbers are not universally published, the architectural advantages of bare metal inherently position it for superior and more consistent performance compared to virtualized environments, making it a strong choice for critical and demanding enterprise applications.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for Equinix Metal generally highlight its strengths in providing high performance and granular control over hardware. Many users appreciate the API-driven automation, which allows for rapid provisioning and management of physical infrastructure, offering a cloud-like experience with the benefits of bare metal. Its global reach and integration with Equinix Fabric are frequently cited as advantages for deploying infrastructure close to end-users and connecting to a vast ecosystem of networks and clouds.

Recommended use cases often include high-performance computing (HPC), AI/ML workloads, gaming, large databases, Kubernetes clusters, and edge deployments where low latency and dedicated resources are critical. Users also value it for hybrid cloud strategies, enabling them to place workloads adjacent to public clouds.

However, some feedback points to weaknesses such as potential complexity for users less familiar with bare metal operations, as it requires more hands-on management than fully managed cloud services. The pricing, while competitive for bare metal, can be perceived as an "enterprise-level price tag" compared to some virtualized cloud offerings. The most significant recent feedback, however, revolves around the announcement of Equinix Metal's end of life by June 30, 2026. This decision has caused considerable uncertainty and frustration among existing customers who built their operations around the platform, necessitating costly and disruptive migrations.

Summary

Equinix Metal is a Bare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) offering that provides dedicated physical servers with automated, cloud-like provisioning. Launched in October 2020, it aimed to bridge the gap between traditional colocation and public cloud services, offering users full control over hardware combined with the agility of API-driven deployment.

The asset's strengths lie in its exceptional performance, delivering raw compute power without virtualization overhead, making it ideal for demanding workloads such as AI/ML, HPC, gaming, and large databases. Its global footprint across 18+ metros and seamless integration with Equinix Fabric for low-latency interconnection are significant advantages. Security is robust, built on Equinix's physically secure data centers and offering single-tenancy, alongside certifications like ISO 27001, SOC 2, and PCI DSS. Users benefit from a wide choice of operating systems, including various Linux distributions, VMware, and Windows Server, with the option for custom images.

However, a critical weakness has emerged with the announcement of Equinix Metal's end of life on June 30, 2026. Commercial sales have ceased, and new feature development is no longer a priority. This decision, driven by a strategic shift within Equinix, presents a significant challenge for current customers who must now plan for migration. While the platform itself is technically sound and offers high performance, its impending shutdown overshadows its capabilities.

Recommendations for existing users include actively planning and executing a migration strategy to alternative bare metal or cloud providers well before the June 2026 deadline. For those considering bare metal solutions, Equinix Metal is no longer a viable long-term option, and alternatives should be explored. The service remains functional and supported until its sunset date, but its future is limited.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.