In general, 2009 was not a great year for server sales, because global economic issues hurt enterprise IT spending across the board, and because more widespread adoption of features like virtualization meant that some organizations found they needed fewer physical servers. But there were some important technology changes: notably, Intel's introduction of an integrated memory controller and QuickPath Interconnect, which increased the memory bandwidth among multiple processors (something AMD has had for a while with HyperTransport) and the introduction of six-core processors from both vendors.
The server market divides up into a number of different categories, ranging from machines that are really more like desktops with a single processor, to today's mainstream of dual-processor capable machines, to multi-processor machines that can typically handle four or (with special chipsets) more processors. In addition, dual-processor-capable server chips are also often used in high-end workstations.
AMD has the same basic processor technology in all these fields, with its Opteron 1000 series, aimed at single-processor servers; Opteron 2000 series, aimed at one- and two-processor servers; and Opteron 8000 series, typically aimed at four- and eight-way servers. All are mostly covered by quad-core versions known as "Shanghai" and six-core versions known as "Istanbul." Both are 45nm processors and support HyperTransport, with the higher-end versions supporting HyperTransport 3 with a claimed maximum throughput of 57.6 GB/s.
In 2010, AMD plans on focusing on two new series. The 4000 series will focus on single and dual-socket servers, with a platform called "San Marino." This will have a new series of processors (but based on the existing processor core technology) known as "Lisbon," which is slated to come in both four- and six-core versions, and which will use two channels of memory. This platform is said to be optimized for high-energy efficiency, with some versions in which the cores should be using less than 6 watts each. It is slated to be out in the first half of next year.
The 6000 series will be aimed at two- and four-socket systems, with support for four channels of memory as part of a platform called "Maranello." This will feature 8 and 12-core processors, known as "Magny-Cours," which are essentially two die of the "Lisbon" processors.
(Click to enlarge all images)
This will be followed in 2011 with new processors based on the company's upcoming "Bulldozer" core, but with the platforms mostly staying the same. That year, the Opteron 4000 should get the "Valencia" 6- and 8-core processors, with the 6000 series getting the "Interlagos" 12- and 16-core processors.
Intel has a more diverse line of server processor families, with three lines of Xeon processors based on the x86 architecture that is standard in desktop and mobile chips. It also has the Itanium family, which is designed for larger "mission-critical" servers (and where it primarily competes with servers with other architectures, such as IBM's Power series and Sparc processors from Sun and Fujitsu.)
Of course, most of the volume is in the Xeon family. That starts out with the Xeon 3000 series, which is aimed at single-processor systems, and thus runs similar chips to those used in desktops. This is currently represented by the "Foxhollow" platform, and features the "Lynnfield" processor, a 45nm chip with 4 cores (also used in the Core i5). In 2010, the company plans to add a 32nm "Clarkdale" processor to this platform; as on the desktop side, that is a dual-core chip with hyperthreading, so it supports up to four threads. In addition, Intel has talked about making new lower-power versions of the Xeon 3000 series in early 2010.
The big push this year has been in the Xeon 5500 series, typically used in dual-socket servers in a platform known as "Tylersburg." These chips, known as "Nehalem-EP" are 45nm processors with four cores and eight threads, as well as support for the QPI interconnect. It's been particularly well received.
In 2010, the platform is slated to stay the same, but with a new 32nm version quad-core chip code-named "Westmere-EP." Intel has said this will have some new features including Intel Trusted Execution Technology, designed to make the system more secure, and AES acceleration, designed to protect the data.
For larger servers, Intel's Xeon 7000 series has been represented by the "Caneland" platform with a six-core 45nm chip known as "Dunnington" and an older 45nm quad-core design. These chips can be used in dual-socket servers, but are primarily designed for systems with four or eight sockets. This is slated to be joined shortly by a chip known as "Nehalem-EX," with eight cores and 16 threads. This will have four high-bandwidth links using the QuickPath architecture, and what Intel says is up to 9 times the memory bandwidth.
This is part of a new platform called "Boxboro," which will also eventually be used for a 32nm version of the chip known as "Westmere-EX." Typically, Intel rolls out the single- and dual-socket server products early in a design transition, with the multi-socket version coming later.
On the Itanium side, Intel also plans to move that to the Boxboro platform in the first half of 2010, with a new processor called the Itanium 9100 or "Tukwila." This will be a big change for Itantium adding things like DDR3 and QPI support. The roadmap there has two more chips slated for future years, called "Poulson" and "Kittson," but there aren't many details of those available yet.
