[Something for future consideration]

Intel introduces logic chip sets, storage I/O processor

By Loring Wirbel
EE Times
August 09, 2004 (11:00 AM EDT)    
 

DENVER ? Intel Corp. has beefed up the capabilities of servers based on 
dual-Xeon configurations with the launch of two versions of its 
long-anticipated Lindenhurst chip sets and a storage I/O processor. The 
Dobson processor links an Xscale core with PCI Express interfaces.

The intent is to provide a cost-effective alternative to 64-bit Itanium 
systems by using dual 3.6-GHz Xeon processors alongside peripheral chips 
that emphasize reliability and scaled performance.

The E7520 full-capability version of the chip set offers higher port 
density and support for memory mirroring; the cost-reduced E7320 version 
has fewer ports and no memory-mirroring support. Both offer PCI Express 
interfaces and work with the CPU to support a new intelligent 
power-management feature called demand-based switching. It enables the 
continual adjustment of voltage and frequency according to the level of 
bursty traffic encountered in server transactions. No changes in 
software applications are required for demand-based switching, said Phil 
Brace, director of enterprise product marketing, though the power 
switching must be supported in the operating system and BIOS..

The IOP332 storage I/O processor is a coprocessor optimized for 
RAID-access applications, since Intel said that was one of the server 
industry's most critical demands.

The chip sets help enhance the utility of the Xeon processor's new 
Extended Memory 64 technology. By allowing the Xeon to address more than 
64 Gbytes of memory and run future 64-bit applications, Intel is giving 
OEMs a lower-cost alternative to native 64-bit processors.

The unexpected inroads Advanced Micro Devices Inc. has made into server 
environments with lower-cost alternatives to Itanium are one factor 
driving increased sophistication at the Xeon level, though Brace added 
that Intel still sees a clear distinction between mission-critical, 
fault-tolerant applications requiring Itanium and mainstream server 
environments that can use Xeon.

In 1,000-unit quantities, the E7320 peripheral chips sell for $70 each, 
the E7520 set for $84 each and the IOP332 storage I/O processor for $82 
each.

-- 
Regards,
Mike

Failed the exam for
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MCSE - Minesweeper Consultant and Solitaire Expert
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