TINA is more than a big deal. This thread was founded on the perceived potential of I2O in the emerging, embedded space, and TINA is the product that finally brings it altogether. TINA not only is neat, it is absolutely essential in making Gigabit Ethernet practical; it is not an option.
As the network becomes the computer, I/O becomes the center of enterprise network computing. Intelligent NICs are the only workhorses capable of handling the I/O. Not only are they I/O capable, they are optimal at that chore.
Multiple iNICs will be needed in all enterprise servers and in all NAS devices. Also, they will be popular in workstations (if GbE takes servers to their knees, guess what happens to workstations?).
But the really interesting uses of iNICs will start to happen when they are combined with intelligent network processors (remember the IXP 1200 is I2O ready). At that point iNICs will be capable of replacing most enterprise switches and routers, at a fraction of current prices.
WIND’s ASP, considerable for iNIC devices (which also includes the IOP royalty on each and every Intel IOP in each iNIC), will be matched by software applications that will blossom around the iNIC platform. Anybody can provide these applications, but, like Microsoft on the PC, WIND is positioned to dominate.
Finally, imagine a BSD Unix box running off-the-rack management software housing iRAID, intelligent network processor (iNP), iNICs, and iSCSI connected by GbE, FiberChannel over IP, or Infiniband. This would be the ultimate NAS device capable of completely commoditizing the network equipment space to the detriment of Cisco, EMC and NTAP among lots of others.
The stock market, of course, shows zero understanding of any of this. Incredibly, most of the analysts following WIND failed to perceive what the warning was all about and the importance of TINA. At least some of them should understand the significance of iNICs.
But there is hope. There are some buy-side analysts who do understand, as illustrated by what one emailed me today about TINA:
Sounds like an excellent product. You're right about the market. Investors
are still trying to "guess" the bottom in Cisco right now - how unbelievably
dumb! Once investors become aware of what is going on, and I suspect it will
take a while, the smart investors will already be in WIND.
Allen |
