Gouda, 22 May 2025 – ServerDirect has emerged as the selected supplier in the tender of ASTRON for the delivery of 56 LOFAR Control Servers. These servers form a critical component of the international LOFAR network, which connects radio antennas across seven European countries. The choice of ASTRON confirms ServerDirect’s position as the trusted server provider for scientific institutions across Europe.

Number 1 Supermicro Partner in the Benelux

ASTRON selected ServerDirect for its technical expertise, fast delivery, strong European reach, and proven reliability. As the official #1 Supermicro partner in the Benelux, ServerDirect delivers the 2U servers fully out-of-the-box, including pre-installation and support. The delivery meets the exact requirements of ASTRON.

A Solid Partnership in Science and Technology

Fouad El Youssoufi, CEO of ServerDirect, commented:

We are honored to once again contribute to an institute like ASTRON. Our collaboration goes back many years, and it is a privilege to further strengthen this relationship with a project of such magnitude. The LOFAR upgrade is of global importance for scientific research. This project confirms the trust in our reliability, technical expertise, and speed of execution.

Jan Willem Pot, procurement officer at ASTRON, adds:

ServerDirect was the only bidder to fully pass our technical evaluation. Their proposal aligns perfectly with our need for stable performance and reliable delivery. This provides a strong foundation for the next phase in the LOFAR system upgrade.

ServerDirect delivers reliable backbone for renewed LOFAR network

ServerDirect’s solution consists of 56 powerful LOFAR Control Servers based on Supermicro server technology. These 2U servers are fully configured and tested before delivery, allowing for immediate deployment within the LOFAR network. The server hardware is designed for long-term operational stability in environments with high computing and data processing demands. With redundant components, energy efficiency, and remote management capabilities, the solution forms the technical foundation for the LOFAR upgrade. In doing so, ServerDirect directly contributes to the reliability, scalability, and future-readiness of one of Europe’s most advanced radio observatories.

About ASTRON

ASTRON is the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy and part of the institutes organization of the Dutch Research Council (NWO-I). Based in Dwingeloo, ASTRON develops cutting-edge technologies and radio telescopes that enable scientists to explore the universe in unprecedented detail. Through international projects such as LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) and involvement in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), ASTRON is recognized as a world leader in radio astronomy. By combining fundamental research with technological innovation, ASTRON helps unravel the universe’s greatest mysteries.
More information: www.astron.nl

About ServerDirect

ServerDirect supplies high-performance IT infrastructure to governments, research institutions, and data centers across Europe. The company is known for its speed, expertise, and scalable solutions. As the #1 Supermicro partner in the Benelux and an official supplier of brands such as Dell, HPE, and Lenovo, ServerDirect supports customers in environments where reliability is critical.