Intel confirms errata in Xeon processor
Thursday June 25, 1:35 pm Eastern Time
SAN FRANCISCO, June 25 (Reuters) - Intel Corp. said that it has
identified a flaw, or ''errata'' in its upcoming Pentium II Xeon
processor targeted to the server and workstation market.
The flaw manifests itself in conjunction with the accompanying chip
set called the Xeon 450NX chip set, used to create powerful servers
that can run four processors at once.
Intel said that as a result of its findings, it will continue to test
and validate the processor, but that it still plans to continue with
its product launch, set for Monday.
As a result, Intel said there will be delays in shipments of servers
designed around Xeon by several weeks.
''It is in the processor, but it manifests itself when it is used with
the NX chip set that allows up to four-way configurations,'' said Tom
Waldrop, an Intel spokesman.
Intel said that it will release more details about the errata on
Monday. Intel said that the Xeon chip, when running the accompanying
chip set targeted to workstation and servers running single or dual
processors, called the 440GX chip set, is fully tested and ready to
go.
Intel said that has identified a ''workaround'' to fix the errata and
that it believes it will take a couple of weeks, and it will continue
the lengthy process of validating the chip.
''The good news is this product is not in the market yet,'' Waldrop
said. ''So we want to hold this validation process for another few
weeks to make sure that everything works as it should in the pre-launch
period.''
On Monday, many computer makers are expected to announce workstations
and servers designed around Xeon, including the major vendors, such as
International Business Machines Corp (IBM - news), Hewlett-Packard Co
(HWP - news), Compaq Computer Corp (CPQ - news), and Dell Computer
Corp (DELL - news).
Intel said that systems using its 450NX chip set will be delayed by
several weeks.
''There is always some errata,'' Waldrop said. ''All processors and
chip sets have errata.'' Intel has an enormous design center in
Hillsborough, Ore. where it spends millions of dollars on the testing
and validation of its processors, but as they become more complex,
there is no way to avoid errata.
Intel said for now, it cannot give any details on how the errata
affects the system, other than to say it involves no corruption of
data. More details will be given on Monday.
However analysts said earlier this week, after the news first broke on
PC Week Online, that servers running Xeon in a four-way configuration
are ''unpredictable'' and prone to crash.
Intel said it had spotted a technical issue with the Xeon and it had
already told its customers. It will give further explanation and a
publication of the errata on Monday, when it unveils the Xeon chip.
''The launch is going ahead and we expect there will be broad industry
support,'' Intel's Waldrop said. ''You should see systems starting
then and through the summer.''
Workstations and servers in one and two processor configurations,
using the Xeon with the 440GX chip set, should not experience any
delays in shipping, Intel said.
o~~~ O |
