Hyper-threading TO BE INTRODUCED in intel-based servers this quarter

Hyper-threading TO BE
INTRODUCED in

intel-based servers this quarter



Early Access Program and Tools for the Intel® Xeon(tm) Processor Family

Enable Developers to Optimize and Tune Applications for Hyper-Threading

Technology



Feb. 6, 2002 - Intel's Hyper-Threading Technology will arrive this quarter

with the introduction of the Intel® Xeon(tm) processor family for both dual

and multi-processor servers. To help developers prepare for the breakthrough

technology, as well as the Intel® NetBurst(tm) microarchitecture, Intel

today introduced the Early Access Program (EAP) for the Intel Xeon processor

family.



Hyper-Threading Technology allows multithreaded operating systems and

applications to view a single physical processor as if it were two logical

processors. This technology can deliver up to 30 percent performance boosts

of multithreaded applications, enabling faster e-Business transactions,

enterprise server response times and the ability to handle more workloads

per server. It also holds promise for increasing the speed and quality of

multitasking capabilities for server users who run unique applications

simultaneously.



While most server applications are multi-threaded and can achieve immediate

performance benefits from Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel is working

closely with developers to ensure that software applications take full

advantage of the new technology and other features of the NetBurst

microarchitecture. Developers can now enroll in the EAP for the Intel Xeon

processor family through the Intel® Developer Services Web site. For an

annual fee, they will receive a package that includes remote access to Intel

Xeon processor-based systems, on-line support from Intel and training. Once

the application porting process is complete, the developer becomes eligible

for a host of joint marketing and promotional programs with Intel. EAP

members have opportunities to showcase their applications in Intel solutions

catalogs, conference pavilions, product launches, software reference guides

and co-advertising.



The EAP fee can be used as a credit toward the lease of a development system

or toward the purchase of software development tools from Intel. These

tools, such as the beta versions of the Intel® C/C++ and Fortran Compilers

for Windows* and Linux* 6.0 and the Intel® VTune(tm) Performance Analyzer

6.0, as well as the Intel® Integrated Performance Primitives Library and the

Intel® Math Kernel Library, can be used to optimize and tune applications

for Hyper-Threading Technology and the NetBurst microarchitecture. These

products are also available separate from the program. EAP members will have

early access to additional threading tools currently under development by

Intel as they become available. For more information about Intel Software

Development Products visit www.intel.com/software/products





"As software developers optimize their products for the NetBurst

microarchitecture and Hyper-Threading Technology, enterprise server

customers will start seeing very significant system performance boosts,"

said Richard Wirt, Intel Fellow and general manager of Intel's Solutions and

Services Group. "Programs such as the Early Access Program, combined with

our software development tools, will not only accelerate the optimization

efforts of Hyper-Threading Technology, it will accelerate the adoption of

NetBurst microarchitecture in the enterprise."

The Early Access Program for the Intel Xeon processor family is available

for an annual fee of $500. Tailored EAPs also exist for the Intel®

Itanium(tm) processor family and the Intel® Pentium® 4 processor family.



About Hyper-Threading Technology



Hyper-Threading Technology is designed to improve server system performance

and efficiency. To accomplish this, processors enabled with Hyper-Threading

Technology manage

incoming instructions from two different software threads while keeping

track of the data processing status of each set of instructions. Current

processor technologies handle single software threads one at a time and rely

on the operating system to manage the scheduling of multiple threads to the

processor in a logical order. This is much like a person who is trying to

watch television while talking on the phone. In that scenario, the person

takes in data from each medium, handling it piece by piece. Hyper-Threading

Technology allows the viewer to accomplish both activities simultaneously.



About Intel Developer Services



Intel Developer Services is a Web-based software development

resource for the professional software developer of both commercial and

enterprise software tools and applications. The Web site provides access to

software development resources such as technical libraries, community

infrastructure, technical support, education and training, to expedite the

successful development and delivery of Intel-based solutions worldwide. For

more information about Intel Developer Services, Hyper-Threading Technology

or the Early Access Programs, visit www.intel.com/ids



Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of

computer, networking and communications products. Additional information

about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.