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Server Microprocessors

Server processors can be divided into three categories: CISC, RISC, and EPIC. CISC includes x86 processors from Intel and AMD used in many servers and desktops. RISC includes PowerPC, MIPS, and SPARC processors that use fewer instructions. EPIC groups instructions into very long words and runs possible branches in parallel. When choosing a server, considerations include lowest initial cost for x86, scalability for larger processor counts favors RISC and EPIC, and operating system support depends on your preferences between Windows, Linux, Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, and others.

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37 views2 pages

Server Microprocessors

Server processors can be divided into three categories: CISC, RISC, and EPIC. CISC includes x86 processors from Intel and AMD used in many servers and desktops. RISC includes PowerPC, MIPS, and SPARC processors that use fewer instructions. EPIC groups instructions into very long words and runs possible branches in parallel. When choosing a server, considerations include lowest initial cost for x86, scalability for larger processor counts favors RISC and EPIC, and operating system support depends on your preferences between Windows, Linux, Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, and others.

Uploaded by

Faruk Omeragic
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Server processors can be divided into three major categories:

CISC-based processors CISC (complex instruction set computer) is a processor


architecture used by x86 processors such as the Xeon, Opteron, and other
server and desktop processors manufactured by Intel, AMD, and other vendors.
It uses variable-length instructions.

RISC-based processors RISC (reduced instruction set computer) uses a smaller


number of instructions than CISC to improve processor efficiency. Server
processors such as the PowerPC, Power Architecture, PA-RISC family, MIPS,
Alpha, and Sun SPARC are RISC based.

EPIC-based processors EPIC (explicitly parallel instruction computer) groups


instructions together into very long instruction words (VLIW), preloads the
instructions most likely to be used next, and uses a technique called
predication to run all possible code branches in parallel and discard those that
are not needed, as opposed to branch prediction (used in CISC processors).
Intel's Itanium server processors are EPIC based.

If you are planning to purchase a preconfigured server, you can choose from
products in any of the listed categories. A bit less than half of the servers on
the market fall into the "Wintel" (Intel/Intel-compatible hardware running
Windows) category. Many users prefer other server platforms. Which category
should you choose? Here are some considerations:

Lowest initial cost x86-based servers, because they closely resemble x86
desktop computers in general design (and often use the same components), are
the least expensive to purchase and to customize. Scalability If you need one to
eight processors in a single server, any processor category can foot the bill.
However, if you need a larger number of processors, you should consider a
server based on RISC or EPIC technologies.

Operating system support The server operating system you prefer will have a
major influence on your choice of server processor. If you prefer Linux, you can
choose a platform based on virtually any current or recent server processor.
However, if you prefer a different server operating system, your choices are
more limited. With x86 processors, you can choose from various versions of
Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003, popular Linux server and
enterprise-level distributions, and Sun Solaris. Itanium processors can run 64-
bit versions of Windows Server 2003 and Linux. Sun SPARC processors can run
Linux or Solaris. PowerPC servers from Apple can run MacOS X or Linux, while
PowerPC and Power architecture servers from IBM can run Linux or AIX 5L, a
proprietary version of UNIX. Hewlett-Packard PA-RISCbased Hewlett-Packard
9000 series servers use HP-UX, a proprietary version of UNIX. Hewlett-Packard
AlphaServers run OpenVMS, Tru64 UNIX, or Linux.
If you are planning to "roll your own" server from motherboards and other off-
the-shelf components, you can choose from processors made by Intel (Itanium
2, Xeon, Pentium D, or Pentium 4) or by AMD (Opteron). If you decide to build
your own server, you will be responsible for configuring and supporting it.
Thus, the biggest emphasis in this chapter is on helping you understand the
features of these and earlier server-compatible x86 and Itanium processors,
how they differ from each other, and the tasks each is most suited for.

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