More Capabilities

The i960® RP I/O processor is a great tool for creating designs which can increase system throughput while adding new capabilities and still leaving plenty of host CPU power for data processing.

In RAID systems, future designs could use an Intel I/O processor to control the parallel transactions and compression algorithms, rather than requiring an expensive, proprietary controller. Overall system cost could be significantly reduced with RAID running on an Intel I/O processor directly on the motherboard, and using a standard SCSI interface.

Smart network adapters like Intel's EtherExpress™ PRO/100 Smart Adapter already use an on-board Intel I/O processor to boost throughput in demanding server environments. This technology allows the potential for scaling up to handle additional users and transactions by adding additional smart adapters--and increase system throughput --without draining the host CPU. The i960 RP I/O processor is well-suited to this application because of its high level of PCI integration.

Another promising area for increasing server performance is peer-to-peer technologies. An example would be designing a disk-to-LAN interface, providing a more direct, high-throughput data path using an Intel I/O processor to handle data flow and keep traffic off the primary PCI bus.

System management is coming to the forefront as an important tool in reducing total cost of ownership. Servers equipped with an Intel I/O processor could be outfitted with a system management agent which could collect system data and statistics, be used to adjust operating parameters, process updates and centralize enterprise management. And all this could run on the I/O processor, without draining the host CPU and detracting from its data processing.


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