Intel to introduce new 'microserver' standard

Intel is casting its eyes toward hosting providers with a new "microserver" standard. According to Intel, the current reference system consists of a single 1.86GHz quad-core processor with four memory banks, with 16 microservers housed within an 8.75-inch chassis that also holds storage drives along the bottom.

While current power consumption peaks at 45 watts, Intel envisions that a dual-core processor based on its "Clarkdale" family will be out in early 2010 and consume only 30 watts. Intel hopes to eventually bring the power envelop of the entire microserver--not just the processor--down to 25 watts of power.

So why microserver? Jason Waxman, general manager of Intel's high-density computing group was quoted as saying, "At most websites hosting providers, do you know what the server does? Nothing. It just sits there." Hence the idea of a low-powered system that comes with "reasonably good performance."

And how exactly does the concept of the microserver differ from the blade servers of yesteryear? Unlike a blade system, the microserver is just a plain server at a simple, low cost. There is no attempt to mesh interfaces like storage and networking via a proprietary fabric.

What about virtualization? Waxman said, "For some service providers, virtualization is messy." He added, "You may need to have central storage for example."

For more on this story:
- check out this article at The Register
- check out this article at CNET News

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