AMD unveils server processors based on ARM 64bit architecture
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AMD is the first major manufacturer to unveil a server processor based on the 64bit ARMv8 architecture.
The AMD Opteron A-Series processor, targeted at a 28nm process and codenamed 'Seattle', will sample this quarter, along with a development platform to ease the software design process. The development platform will be supported by a broad set of tools and software including a standard UEFI boot and Linux environment based on the Fedora Project,
According to AMD, it is collaborating with industry leaders to enable a robust 64bit software ecosystem for ARM based designs from compilers and simulators to hypervisors, operating systems and application software.
"The needs of the data center are changing," said Suresh Gopalakrishnan, general manager of AMD's server business unit. "A 'one size fits all' approach typically limits efficiency and results in higher cost solutions. The Opteron A-Series processor brings the experience and technology portfolio of an established server processor vendor to the ARM ecosystem and provides the ideal complement to our established x86 server processors."
Opteron A1100 series processors will be available with four or eight Cortex-A57 processor cores and with up to 4Mbyte of shared L2 and 8Mbyte of shared L3 cache. The devices also feature ARM's TrustZone technology for enhanced security and crypto and data compression coprocessors.
