Arapahoe has now been voted in. Let's see if Fred Hager is correct that there may be a Rambus connection here.
Friday August 3, 1:16 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: PCI-SIG
Compaq, Dell, IBM, Intel and Microsoft Work Jointly
with PCI-SIG to Create Open Specification for Next
General-Purpose I/O
Arapahoe Industry Specification Debuts As Cross-Industry Successor
to PCI
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 3, 2001-- Compaq, Dell, IBM, Intel and
Microsoft, promoters of a third-generation interconnect architecture, and the PCI-SIG, a
non-profit special interest group, today announced a working relationship to define a new
serial I/O interconnect architecture code-named ``Arapahoe.''
The Arapahoe architecture will allow high-speed connection of components inside a system
and offer increased bandwidth for emerging applications. The Arapahoe promoters chose
the PCI-SIG as the preferred industry body to promote and support an open, cross-industry
interconnect architecture.
The Arapahoe promoters and the PCI-SIG have entered into an agreement to manage the
Arapahoe architecture based on the PCI-SIG's proven ability to promote interconnect
standard requirements such as PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect). Although PCI will
continue to be used in product designs, the PCI-SIG recognizes that the Arapahoe
architecture offers an opportunity to develop a new interconnect to address bandwidth
demands of increasingly powerful applications such as desktop, mobile, servers and
embedded communications. Arapahoe is the general-purpose interconnect of the future for
these demanding applications.
``PCI lives on in `Arapahoe.' While today's PCI will fulfill the needs of local I/O devices for
many years to come, a broad range of applications will see the benefits of choosing the
Arapahoe interface,'' said Roger Tipley, president of the PCI-SIG. ``Arapahoe's scalability
expands the list of hardware solutions that will gravitate to PCI-SIG technologies, and
PCI-SIG adoption will help establish Arapahoe as a highly successful industry standard I/O
interface.''
Executives from promoter companies Compaq, Dell, IBM, Intel and Microsoft fully endorse
the Arapahoe Work Group objective to enable an open industry specification. Arapahoe will
be designed as a highly flexible, reliable, serial I/O architecture that will scale to the
theoretical limits of copper, and comprehend the needs of multiple markets.
``Compaq's endorsement as a member of the Arapahoe Work Group is a natural progression of our long-standing leadership
and innovation in driving both PCI and industry standard technologies,'' said James Mouton, vice president, enterprise servers,
Compaq Industry Standard Server Group. ``Compaq is committed to lending its expertise toward developing standard
specifications for this, the third-generation of PCI technology, to develop and bring to market the best solutions for addressing
new bandwidth requirements of increasingly demanding IT environments.''
``Dell looks forward to participating in the development of an industry-standard solution that will help our Server and Client
customers speed the transition to third-generation bandwidth capabilities,'' said Jeff Clarke, vice president and co-general
manager, Dell Client Product Group.
``Arapahoe will be valuable to IBM customers because it will provide them with new, high-bandwidth options for the future
while protecting their current investment,'' says Fran O'Sullivan, general manager, IBM Personal Computing Devices. ``The
combination of scalability for the future and compatibility with the past will create an easy customer migration from the existing
PCI architecture.''
``One of the most compelling benefits of Arapahoe architecture is its ability to not only support high levels of I/O bandwidth,
but also deliver maximum bandwidth per pin creating both a scalable and cost-effective I/O solution,'' said Louis Burns, Intel
vice president and general manager, Desktop Platforms Group. ``Arapahoe will co-exist and complement other I/O attach
technologies such as InfiniBand, IEEE 1394b, USB 2.0, serial ATA and 1/10Gb Ethernet.''
``Microsoft is pleased to be working on the `Arapahoe' architecture with the PCI-SIG and other key developer companies to
design a flexible, general-purpose I/O interconnect that will meet future customer needs for speed and bandwidth,'' said David
W. Williams, director of Windows Hardware Platform Strategy at Microsoft. ``It will provide an architecture that allows the
industry to create innovative customer solutions and build on its existing investment in the PC platform.''
The Arapahoe promoters, together with additional key developer companies, will develop a draft 1.0 specification that defines
the Arapahoe architecture. Upon completion of the draft 1.0 specification, it will be transferred to the PCI-SIG for final review
and released to the industry at large. Further information on the Arapahoe draft specification will be made available at the Intel
Developer Forum, Fall 2001, San Jose, Calif., Aug. 27-30, on www.idf.intel.com and on the PCI-SIG website at:
www.pcisig.com.
Promoter Company Information
About Compaq
Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation (``Compaq'') is a leading global provider of enterprise technology and
solutions. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including
industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, and desktop
and portable personal computers that are sold in more than 200 countries. Information on Compaq and its products and
services is available at www.compaq.com.
About Dell
Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq: DELL - news) is the world's No. 1 computer systems company and is a premier
provider of products and services required for customers to build their information-technology and Internet infrastructures. The
company's revenue for the past four quarters totaled $32.6 billion. Dell ranks No. 48 on the Fortune 500, No. 154 on the
Fortune Global 500 and No. 7 on the Fortune Global ``most admired'' lists of companies. Dell, through its direct business
model, designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection
of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained on the World Wide Web at www.dell.com.
About IBM
IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. In the
20 years since announcing the first PC in August 1981, IBM has actively participated in the continued development and
evolution of PC architecture and standards. For more information on IBM, please visit www.ibm.com.
About Intel
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products.
Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
About Microsoft Corp
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq ``MSFT'') is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for
personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people
through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.
About the PCI-SIG
Formed in June 1992, PCI-SIG is the industry organization that owns and manages the PCI Local Bus specification. More than
970 industry-leading companies are active PCI-SIG members. The PCI-SIG maintains the specification of this industry-wide
standard. The organization is chartered to support new requirements while preserving backward compatibility for all PCI
revisions. For more information visit the PCI-SIG web site at pcisig.com.
All trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. |
