Learn about the new features of the next-generation Intel Xeon processor for the expandable server segment codenamed Nehalem-EX, which is designed for mission- and business-critical applications and data in demanding environments. A Sun-sponsored white paper discusses how the Solaris ecosystem and these next-generation processors create an intelligent and adaptive computing environment.

This paper is not technically-oriented, but rather a piece for business and IT decision-makers in medium and large companies. Readers will get a high-level overview of enterprise capabilities of the Solaris OS and its design to command the new features of the upcoming Intel Xeon processor.

Nehalem-EX is planned to be an eight-socket system that will have 64 processor cores and 128 threads, supporting terabytes of main memory. Sun and Intel have been working together for more than two years to optimize the Solaris OS and these processors.

The authors proclaim Solaris and Nehalem-EX will bring environments:

• Scalable performance: Solaris will optimize the capabilities of the multi-processor that offers up to eight processors, each with up to eight cores and two threads per core. Additionally, Intel's hyper-threading, quick path, and turbo boost technologies will make these two products naturally address enterprise IT application requirements.

• Advanced reliability: The Solaris Fault Management Architecture (FMA) integrates with Intel Machine Check Architecture (MCA) recovery features, enabling systems to automatically monitor, report, and recover from hardware errors to maintain data integrity and keep mission-critical applications and services online.

• Power efficiency and utilization: Solaris is optimized to aptly use the performance-enhanced dynamic power management capabilities of Nehalem-EX.

Each of the areas listed above are detailed with specifics on why the paper makes these benefit claims.

It also should be noted that the next-generation Intel Xeon processor will include Intel VT or next-generation Intel Virtualization Technology. According to the paper the Intel VT will deliver faster virtualization performance by reducing transition latency into and out of virtual machine mode as well as a reducing of the number of required transitions into and out of the virtual machine mode. Improved I/O virtualization and enhanced I/O performance is also expected.

CONTENT TOPICS

Executive Summary

Solaris Leadership

Next-generation Intel Xeon Processor

Enterprise Computing: Solaris and Nehalem-EX

• Performance and Scalability
• Reliability and Availability
• Power Efficiency
• Flexible Virtualization: Network Virtualization

More Information

The Solaris OS and Intel Nehalem-EX - white paper

Solaris on Intel - Sun site

Intel Microarchitecture, Codenamed Nehalem - Intel site

Sun and Intel - Intel site

Solaris Operating System

OpenSolaris

Project Crossbow

Intel and Sun: Delivering State-of-the-art Solutions [...read more...]

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