Too bad it could not hold 28 today. Disappointing. It looks like my friend IBM has not given up on the server mkt and MAY have a serious play going. Whatcha know about this Rude? 1st I've heard about it.
Jun. 27, 2000 (PCWorld via COMTEX) -- IBM's research group on Monday unveiled a
new technology, designed to double the memory capacity of servers based on Intel
processors.
And, eventually, it could have the same memory-boosting benefits for PCs and
handheld devices, IBM says.
Dubbed IBM Memory Expansion Technology, or MXT, the technology will be used
initially in industry-standard, Intel-based servers such as IBM's Netfinity, the
company says. MXT could help Internet service providers and large corporations
save millions of dollars in memory costs, according to IBM.
Big Blue plans to demonstrate the technology on Tuesday at the PC Expo show in
New York City. Details about pricing and availability weren't immediately
available.
Memory Compression
MXT makes use of a new cache memory design that allows data to be stored and
manipulated in a computer more efficiently, IBM says. Cache memory refers to a
kind of data reservoir that sits close to the microprocessor in a PC and stores
frequently accessed information, leading to faster performance.
MXT uses a new compression technique that can squeeze computer data down to half
its size, allowing it to be stored on memory chips instead of on a disk. The
technology effectively increases storage capacity by a factor of two for most
types of applications, IBM says.
Using MXT, a typical rack-mounted server configuration based on Windows 2000 or
Windows NT can achieve a memory capacity of 168GB with only 84GB of actual
memory installed, according to IBM. With server memory selling for several
thousands of dollars per gigabyte, a customer could save about $250, 000 on a
single rack of servers, IBM says.
From Servers to PCs
IBM is looking at ways to incorporate MXT in its line of data-transaction and
Web-application servers, in addition to storage subsystems and other appliance
servers. In the future, the technology could be adapted for desktop and laptop
PCs, workstations, and devices such as handheld computers and mobile phones.
Adding memory is a popular way to boost performance in computers. The new
compression technique should also allow more data to be crammed into smaller
devices, IBM says.
ServerWorks, which makes high-performance core logic chips for Intel-based
servers, will incorporate MXT into upcoming, high-end core logic products under
a technology sharing agreement that it recently signed with IBM.
IBM says ServerWorks has the right to sell MXT products to other customers,
which should mean that other Intel server makers, including Hewlett-Packard,
Compaq Computer, and Dell Computer, will be able to use MXT in their products.
ServerWorks expects to offer MXT first in a product known by the code name
"Pinnacle," IBM says.
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