Technology and Trends Shaping x86 Servers...Multi-Core = Periodic Two for One CPU Sale! A single quad-core processor has more CPU performance than yesterdays 4-socket server – Soon

© 2009 IBM Corporation

Technology and Trends Shaping x86 Servers

Gregg McKnightVice President, Distinguished EngineerSystem x and Blade Center Development

IBM System x and BladeCenter Development

© 2009 IBM Corporation2

Core x86 Computing Mega TrendsMulti-Core Technology Disequilibrium

Power and Cooling Efficiency Drives New System Designs

Virtualization goes BIG TIME

Dynamic Infrastructure



Technology Trend – Each Year We Get Faster More Processors

Beginning in 2003, physics began to restrict processor frequency

According to past trajectory we should be over 10GHz today!

Faster frequencies delivered ‘free’software performance increases

Multi-core processors improve system performance only when an increase in the number of concurrently executing threads is possible

Intel CPU Trends(sources: Intel, K. Olukotun)

Pentium

386

Xeon

Paxville

Montecito

Breakdown inFrequency scaling



Multi-Core = Periodic Two for One CPU Sale!

A single quad-core processor has more CPU performance than yesterdays 4-socket server – Soon we will get 8 cores per socket with multi-threading on each core

In summary, the multi-core trend has resulted in rapid growth of CPU cycles sometimes outpacing memory, I/O capacity of the server and the threading capabilities of many applications

– This must change the way systems are designed– Virtualization rapidly becoming a requirement for most new system deployments

• Because the majority of applications cannot efficiently utilize all the cores

=>=>Four Cores in One SocketFour Cores In Two Sockets



Memory DIMM Capacity (Mb) Threads/Socket

Memory Challenged to Keep Pace With CPU Cores

Processing cores multiply, but memory DIMM capacity stays constant 2006-2009

Multi-core impacts– Memory capacity and performance is not scaling at same rate as cores

– Greater DIMM capacity often comes with significant price premium

– This drives new system designs…at least in the short term

Threads/Socket



Flash Technology is at a Disruption/Inflexion PointPerformance growing by orders of magnitude better I/O performance

– Spinning Disk : 150 – 250 IOPs– Desktop Flash : 10,000 read IOPs, 20 write IOPs– Enterprise Flash : 190,000 read IOPs, 170,000 write IOPs

Attractive energy efficiency and form factor– Spinning disk: 7 - 10W– Flash about 1W or less

NAND Flash memory prices are dropping rapidly – SLC based SSD (STEC) drives $60-100/GB, expected to fall 50% Y/Y– Multi-Level Cell (MLC), $6/GB, expected to fall 80% Y/Y– IOPs / $ crossover with spinning drives possible in 12-18 mo

Innovative techniques to improve endurance – comparable to HDD– 512 MB non-volatile write cache (Super-capacitor & fire-hose dump) – Internal wear levelling (5-year warranty with no constraint on work load)

Conclusion: FLASH becoming viable for many enterprise / data center applications– Superior performance, energy efficient, robust write endurance



High-Speed Network Fabrics and ConvergenceImproved RAS

Reduced failure points, time, misconnections, bumping, …

Lower Cost, Lower PowerLess adapters,

cables and switches

Simpler ManagementSingle fabric to manage.

deploy, upgrade , maintain.

Multiple Fabrics

Organizational IssuesSilos for server, storage, and

networking

Operational IssuesQuality of service,

security, and access

Maturity IssuesStandards, resiliency,

robustness

1 Gbit Bandwidth 10 Gbit Bandwidth

Dual High-Speed Fabrics


© 2009 IBM Corporation8 13-Oct-09

Energy Demands Have Data Centers at a Tipping Point

IT energy demand doubling every 9 – 24 months

6500 US data centers consume electricity equal to the State of Utah

On average 100 units of energy generation equal 3 units of work for productive IT

IT accounts for 2% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions

eWaste cannot be ignored – 1 billion computers potential scrap by 2010

– Enough to fill the Rose Bowl each year

IBM investing to lead in power and cooling efficiency!

2009 CIO Survey



Implications of Virtualization Explosion

Virtualization drives new system designs and

requirements for mission critical platforms

Software management is the key to winning the

virtualization raceManagement is the new OS

Software and hardware is network deliveredA self-aware datacenter will move virtualized work to the most under-utilized or coolest systems

Performance UtilizationScalability FlexibilityFlex RAS Zero Down TimeInterconnected High-Speed

Containerized solutions gain traction as a low-cost method

to deploy cloud computing hardware resources

Some data centers evolve to lowest cost, non-traditional designs such as containers

Equipment RacksRack Rails

Air handlers

Data Center locations shift to lowest cost power sources –globally and will follow the sun and the seasons

Data Center Time and Location dimension

become irrelevant



Dynamic Infrastructure:Is highly optimized to achieve more with less….

= Reduced Cost

…leveraging virtualization, energy efficiency, standardization and automation to free up operational budget for new investment.

VIRTUALIZATION + ENERGY EFFICIENCY +STANDARDIZATION AUTOMATION+

CLOUD COMPUTING

Public Clouds(provider - Internet)

Enterprise Clouds(data center - Intranet)

Hybrid Clouds(public and private)



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Technology and Trends Shaping x86 Servers...Multi-Core = Periodic Two for One CPU Sale! A single quad-core processor has more CPU performance than yesterdays 4-socket server – Soon