December 2, 2009 at 17:4748 cores to the masses
SANTA CLARA (California), December 2, 2009, 5:30 pm - Intel researchers demonstrated a prototype 48-core processor, called the "single-chip computer for" cloud "computing" and allows you to review the design of desktop PCs, laptops and servers of the future.
The experimental processor assumes 10-20 times higher performance in comparison with modern Intel Core models.
The long-term goal of researchers is to give the computers being created fantastic scaling capabilities that will provide a higher level of interaction with humans and work with not yet known applications. Next year, Intel plans to present developers with more than a hundred experimental microchips for testing and creating new applications and programming systems based on them.
In early 2010, Intel intends to give the updated Core processor family new capabilities and begin production of 6- and 8-core processors. For comparison: the presented prototype contains 48 independently programmable cores - the largest number ever placed on a single silicon crystal. In addition, the prototype is capable of high-speed data exchange, developed on the basis of the latest energy management technologies, thanks to which 48 cores consume no more than 25 watts in standby mode and 125 watts at maximum performance (about the same amount of modern Intel processors consume that only two times the consumption of a standard household incandescent lamp).
Using an experimental chip as an example, Intel intends to study in detail the control and coordination mechanisms of a large number of cores, which will subsequently bring such solutions to the mass market. Future laptops with the processing power of such a processor will be able to "perceive" the outside world as a person does, and to adequately respond to what is happening.
Imagine that one day you can take dance lessons from a computer or use a 3D camera to walk through a clothing store and try on outfits.
The implementation of the new principles of the “human-computer” interface will allow working without a keyboard and other controls. Experts believe that computers, in the end, will be able to read the user's mind - for this you only need to say a command to yourself.
Intel developers called their brainchild a "single-chip" cloud "computer, as it simulates a data center (DPC) for" cloud "(distributed) computing via the Internet and allowing online banking services, social networks and online stores.
“Cloud” data centers can include from tens to hundreds of computers connected by a network, simultaneously processing a large number of complex tasks and operating with significant amounts of data. The experimental Intel chip uses a similar technology, however, computers and networks are located on it on one chip, the size of which does not exceed the postage stamp.
Kernels Provide Intelligent Data Management
For effective information exchange, the experimental chip is equipped with special internuclear communications. This solution can significantly increase the productivity and efficiency of data exchange, due to their movement inside the processor case only by millimeters, and not by tens of meters between individual computers, as in modern data centers.
A software application with support for such a chip will provide data exchange between the cores in a split second, reaching indicators that cannot be achieved in systems with memory located outside the processor enclosures. Applications will be able to automatically automatically control which of the cores should execute a particular command at one time or another. Auxiliary tasks will be performed on other cores. Programs will be able to control the processor power and clock speed, turn off or limit the speed of the cores, ensuring a minimum of power consumption.
Overcoming Barriers to Programming
As you know, programming applications for multi-core processors is not an easy task. The constant development of multicore systems complicates the situation. A prototype developed by Intel allows you to apply the approaches used in developing software for data centers to parallel programming. But soon they can be used in one chip!
During the joint work, Intel, HP * and Yahoo Open Cirrus * started porting cloud applications to the new 48-core chip with Intel architecture using Hadoop *, a Java * -based system that allows you to create applications for intensive data processing. A corresponding demonstration was conducted by Intel Chief Technology Officer Justin Rattner.
Intel plans to create more than a hundred experimental chips, which will be available to dozens of companies and research centers. These chips will allow specialists to develop new software and programming models that can be used to create applications for future multi-core chips. For example, in Europe, an experimental chip plans to use the Technological Institute in Zurich (Switzerland).
The creation of an experimental multi-core processor was made possible thanks to the efforts of participants in the Intel Tera-scale Computing Research program aimed at developing systems with a large number of computing cores. The project is conducted by Intel Labs in Bangalore (India), Braunschweig (Germany), Hillsboro (Oregon, USA). At the Intel center in Braunschweig, which is part of the Intel Labs Europe network, the following were developed: the processor core, a special hardware platform that provides faster core interaction, as well as an optimized energy-saving memory controller designed specifically for working with many cores. The German team responsible for testing the chip created its own emulator of the chip, which allowed other centers to test software and hardware solutions based on the new chip before its release. This approach halved the development time of the project. Details of the architecture and design of the chip are planned to be announced in a report at the International Solid State Circuits Conference in February 2010.
The experimental processor assumes 10-20 times higher performance in comparison with modern Intel Core models.
The long-term goal of researchers is to give the computers being created fantastic scaling capabilities that will provide a higher level of interaction with humans and work with not yet known applications. Next year, Intel plans to present developers with more than a hundred experimental microchips for testing and creating new applications and programming systems based on them.
In early 2010, Intel intends to give the updated Core processor family new capabilities and begin production of 6- and 8-core processors. For comparison: the presented prototype contains 48 independently programmable cores - the largest number ever placed on a single silicon crystal. In addition, the prototype is capable of high-speed data exchange, developed on the basis of the latest energy management technologies, thanks to which 48 cores consume no more than 25 watts in standby mode and 125 watts at maximum performance (about the same amount of modern Intel processors consume that only two times the consumption of a standard household incandescent lamp).
Using an experimental chip as an example, Intel intends to study in detail the control and coordination mechanisms of a large number of cores, which will subsequently bring such solutions to the mass market. Future laptops with the processing power of such a processor will be able to "perceive" the outside world as a person does, and to adequately respond to what is happening.
Imagine that one day you can take dance lessons from a computer or use a 3D camera to walk through a clothing store and try on outfits.
The implementation of the new principles of the “human-computer” interface will allow working without a keyboard and other controls. Experts believe that computers, in the end, will be able to read the user's mind - for this you only need to say a command to yourself.
Intel developers called their brainchild a "single-chip" cloud "computer, as it simulates a data center (DPC) for" cloud "(distributed) computing via the Internet and allowing online banking services, social networks and online stores.
“Cloud” data centers can include from tens to hundreds of computers connected by a network, simultaneously processing a large number of complex tasks and operating with significant amounts of data. The experimental Intel chip uses a similar technology, however, computers and networks are located on it on one chip, the size of which does not exceed the postage stamp.
Kernels Provide Intelligent Data Management
For effective information exchange, the experimental chip is equipped with special internuclear communications. This solution can significantly increase the productivity and efficiency of data exchange, due to their movement inside the processor case only by millimeters, and not by tens of meters between individual computers, as in modern data centers.
A software application with support for such a chip will provide data exchange between the cores in a split second, reaching indicators that cannot be achieved in systems with memory located outside the processor enclosures. Applications will be able to automatically automatically control which of the cores should execute a particular command at one time or another. Auxiliary tasks will be performed on other cores. Programs will be able to control the processor power and clock speed, turn off or limit the speed of the cores, ensuring a minimum of power consumption.
Overcoming Barriers to Programming
As you know, programming applications for multi-core processors is not an easy task. The constant development of multicore systems complicates the situation. A prototype developed by Intel allows you to apply the approaches used in developing software for data centers to parallel programming. But soon they can be used in one chip!
During the joint work, Intel, HP * and Yahoo Open Cirrus * started porting cloud applications to the new 48-core chip with Intel architecture using Hadoop *, a Java * -based system that allows you to create applications for intensive data processing. A corresponding demonstration was conducted by Intel Chief Technology Officer Justin Rattner.
Intel plans to create more than a hundred experimental chips, which will be available to dozens of companies and research centers. These chips will allow specialists to develop new software and programming models that can be used to create applications for future multi-core chips. For example, in Europe, an experimental chip plans to use the Technological Institute in Zurich (Switzerland).
The creation of an experimental multi-core processor was made possible thanks to the efforts of participants in the Intel Tera-scale Computing Research program aimed at developing systems with a large number of computing cores. The project is conducted by Intel Labs in Bangalore (India), Braunschweig (Germany), Hillsboro (Oregon, USA). At the Intel center in Braunschweig, which is part of the Intel Labs Europe network, the following were developed: the processor core, a special hardware platform that provides faster core interaction, as well as an optimized energy-saving memory controller designed specifically for working with many cores. The German team responsible for testing the chip created its own emulator of the chip, which allowed other centers to test software and hardware solutions based on the new chip before its release. This approach halved the development time of the project. Details of the architecture and design of the chip are planned to be announced in a report at the International Solid State Circuits Conference in February 2010.