Sun releases the UltraSparc T2 processor

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201203738 and http://www.sun.com/featured-articles/2007-0807/feature/index.jsp?intcmp=hp2007aug07_ultrasparct2_webcast

Sun Microsystems(SUNW) on Tuesday is expected to introduce its eight-core, 64-thread UltraSparc T2 processor, flaunting its performance boost over the previous generation and the chip’s capabilities for supporting virtualization.

Code named Niagara 2, the server processor offers double the performance per watt of the first generation UltraSparc T1, and 10 times the floating-point performance, according to Sun. Other features include 4-Mbytes L2 cache, two on-chip 10-Gbyte Ethernet ports, and integrated floating-point units into each core pipeline.

The UltraSparc T2, in conjunction with Sun’s Solaris operating system, is being touted as having the most advanced virtualization technology, providing the ability to run up to 64 applications simultaneously on a single processor. “The combination of Solaris and UltraSparc is a very powerful virtualization platform,” said Fadi Azhari, director of marketing for Sun Microelectronics, a division of Sun. “We believe it’s unequaled in the industry.”

The specifications and the performance metrics results look fantastic, the virtualization support sounds great; opening up their processor to new markets might bring further opportunities for revenue generation, and more choice in the market place which has to be a good thing. It will be interesting to see what operating systems are validated for it’s use, and what applications/roles solutions are compiled around this new processor, check it out!

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