Intel shows chip roadmap

Intel has shown working silicon for Montecito, a dual-core version of the Itanium 64bit processor

Intel has disclosed new technologies that will feature in its chips in the next few years. The firm demonstrated a dual-core version of its Itanium 64bit processor, and announced plans for a new management technology that it said will give IT managers greater control over networked computers, even if the machines are inoperable or turned off.

At Intel's Developer Forum in San Francisco, president and chief executive Paul Otellini said the firm was now focused on improving processor efficiency as much as on increasing raw performance, and this would lead to better multitasking, security and management capabilities.

The chip vendor demonstrated working silicon for Montecito, a dual-core version of its 64bit Itanium processor that is expected to ship in mid 2005. This will feature a total of 24MB of cache memory and have upwards of 1.7 billion transistors. A faster version of Montecito - codenamed Montvale - is scheduled for 2006, and multi-core versions of the Itanium family featuring four or more processors on the same chip are planned for the future, Intel said. Dual-core versions of Intel's Xeon chip for PC workstations and servers and the Pentium 4 chip for desktops are already slated for next year.

"Intel's multi-core technology is not about just putting two cores on a single piece of silicon. It allows developers to take advantage of existing resources and tools to provide new and innovative benefits for end-users," Otellini said.

Intel also unveiled its Intel Active Management Technology, which will enable administrators to remotely access every networked system, even those that are powered down, have a crashed hard disk, or a locked up operating system. If it lives up to its promise, such technology could greatly assist IT chiefs in reducing downtime and cutting operational costs.

"Intel has talked with many IT managers and heard a need to enhance the manageability of client and server platforms," said Bill Siu, vice-president of Intel's Desktop Platforms Group.

Intel Active Management Technology supports an out-of-band link that is independent of the operating system, which allows access to systems even if they have crashed, Intel said. This is expected to provide the foundation of a new generation of management tools. Software firms including Altiris, BMC, and Check Point Software are now planning such products.

The management capabilities are just one of a set of new technologies Intel is readying. The company is also working on Lagrande security features that will form part of the trustworthy computing platform.

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