Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Networking

    AMD Signs Up Sun for Opteron

    By
    Jeff Burt
    -
    November 24, 2003
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Advanced Micro Devices Inc. has landed two of the top four systems makers to build servers using its 64-bit Opteron processors. The next challenge: Get a broad base of enterprise customers to make the switch from Intel Corp. machines.

      Sun Microsystems Inc. last week announced at Comdex in Las Vegas plans to build servers using Opteron, an x86 chip that enables both 32-bit and 64-bit computing. AMD signed up IBM in a similar deal last spring.

      AMD is positioning Opteron as a lower-cost alternative to chip maker Intels Xeon chips, for 32-bit processing, and Itanium chips, for 64-bit processing.

      Sun, based in Santa Clara, Calif., announced at the show that it will roll out two- and four-way Opteron-based Sun Fire servers throughout next year, using them as vehicles to extend its reach into the low-cost x86 space and compete with Intel-based systems running Windows. In addition, Sun and AMD will work together to expand the number of systems to include some using eight or more Opterons.

      IBM, of Armonk, N.Y., last April at AMDs Opteron launch unveiled the IBM eServer 325 system, an Opteron-based server aimed at the high-performance computing space, rather than commercial enterprises. IBM early next year will introduce an Opteron-powered workstation, and a spokesman said the company has plans for the chip that officials are not ready to disclose.

      But whether having that support will translate into greater customer adoption of the Opteron remains to be seen. Many enterprises running x86 systems are just beginning to investigate 64-bit computing, and looming is Intel, with its 64-bit Itanium chip and the massive financial resources its using to back it.

      Still, AMD officials argue that there are key benefits to the Opteron, particularly lower costs and the chips ability to run 32-bit and 64-bit applications equally well. The latter gives users a single platform from which to work and an easier migration path from 32-bit to 64-bit computing, they said.

      Intel had hoped to improve the performance of 32-bit applications on the Itanium for some users through the inclusion of the IA-32 Emulation Layer for Windows in Microsoft Corp.s operating system. But Microsoft delayed the release of a Windows service pack slated to include the technology until the second quarter of next year. That delay could encourage some IT departments to try Opteron systems, said IT manager Jevin Jensen, director of technical services for Mohawk Industries Inc.

      Jensen said he may test IBMs eServer 325 system but would be more interested if the company moved the Opteron upstream.

      “If they announce Opteron support for the x440 or x445 platform, then Id be very interested,” said Jensen, in Calhoun, Ga.

      Interland Inc. has yet to deploy 64-bit systems but is beginning to investigate them. The Atlanta-based hosting company runs a number of Intel-based xSeries systems from IBM and uses few, if any, AMD products, said John Lally, director of product management. Which path the company chooses will be decided over the next year, Lally said.

      AMD signs up tier-one OEMs

      Suns Opteron road map

      • Sun Fire servers with two or four Opterons due early next year
      • Sun Fire servers with eight or more Opterons due in the future
      • Sun tunes 64-bit Solaris for the Opteron

      IBMs Opteron road map

      • The eServer 325 high-performance computing server available now
      • Opteron-powered workstation due next year

      “Sixty-four bit is going to become an increasingly important part of our computing model,” Lally said, adding that Interland officials will begin “working with partners like Microsoft and Red Hat [Inc.] and IBM to start planning together the right model for us. … Reverse compatibility to 32-bit is definitely an issue to us, but were really taking a wait-and-see [approach] to see how that plays out.”

      Sun is counting on customers to run Linux or its Solaris operating system on the Opteron boxes. The company will ship a version of 64-bit Solaris that can run on Opteron-powered systems by late next summer. Currently, customers can run Solaris on the Opteron in 32-bit mode. Sun and AMD, of Sunnyvale, Calif., will create an iForce Partner Program for software vendors and developers who are writing or porting applications to Solaris. The program will include a developer resource kit.

      AMD is looking to sell not only to the domestic market. The company has been working hard to sell systems in China, said AMD Senior Vice President Dirk Meyer. He said he hoped AMD could gain more traction in that country along with Sun, which last week reached an agreement to sell the Chinese government at least 1 million seats of its Java Desktop System.

      “I have no doubt this partnership [with Sun] will help us get some traction there,” Meyer said.

      Jeff Burt
      Jeffrey Burt has been with eWEEK since 2000, covering an array of areas that includes servers, networking, PCs, processors, converged infrastructure, unified communications and the Internet of things.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×