Virtualization technology pushed as the next big thing for the enterprise segmentWhile there has been an enormous focus on dual core processors in both the AMD and Intel camp, something that has not been in the limelight is virtualization technology.?Today AMD?has released some details about the Pacifica specification which details their virtualization implementation
SUNNYVALE, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- March 30, 2005 AMD (NYSE: AMD) today for the first time publicly disclosed key elements of its "Pacifica"virtualization technology, at the AMD Reviewer's Day in Austin, Texas."Pacifica" will help extend AMD's technology leadership when it brings to market technology that is designed to enhance 64-bit server virtualization technologies for x86-based servers, desktops and mobile computers. ...
"Pacifica" will extend AMD64 technology with Direct Connect Architecture to enhance the virtualization experience by introducing a new model and features into the processor and memory controller. Designed to enhance and extend traditional software-only based virtualization approaches, these new features will help reduce complexity and increase security of new virtualization solutions, while protecting IT investments through backward compatibility with existing virtualization software.
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By enabling a platform to efficiently run multiple operating systems and applications in independent partitions, essentially allowing one compute system to function as multiple "virtual" systems, "Pacifica" is designed to provide foundation technologies to deliver IT resource utilization advantages through server consolidation, legacy migration and increased security. Information about "Pacifica" is immediately available at http://www.amd.com/enterprise.
Intel demoed some of their virtualization stuff last year I believe and they had Windows and Linux booting up on a single machine if I recall correctly. I think the PR highlights several important points of virtualization benefits including consolidation and hopefully the ability to share resources more effectively.
