Intel to Launch Suite of InfiniBand Products, Enabling Programs

InfiniBand World Tour SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 22, 2000 -- Intel Corporation today unveiled its first InfiniBand product plans -- a suite of three new silicon products due next year that will serve at the heart the InfiniBand architecture.

InfiniBand architecture is a new server I/O technology specification that's slated to revolutionize Internet data centers. It simplifies and speeds server-to-server connections and links to other server-related systems such as remote storage and networking devices. InfiniBand architecture's simple connectivity, improved bandwidth and enhanced interoperability features increase Intel-based server performance and reliability, delivering products that more easily scale to meet the growth needs of e-Business data centers and server farms worldwide.

The new Intel InfiniBand products are planned for use in future IA-32 and upcoming Itanium processor server platforms, and they are also expected within Intel's full range of server chipset products. The suite includes:


--	Intel InfiniBand Host Channel Adapter, which connects servers into a broad InfiniBand "fabric" within Internet and business data centers.
--	Intel InfiniBand Switch, which serves as the center of an InfiniBand fabric and connects servers to remote storage and networking devices.
--	Intel InfiniBand Target Channel Adapter, which provides the connection between storage and/or networking devices within an InfiniBand fabric.

"InfiniBand architecture represents a great leap forward in Internet data center scalability. It will enable IT managers to easily increase and scale their server, information storage, communications and processing power needs," said Tom Macdonald, general manager, Intel Fabric Component Division. "In developing a complete set of silicon and software building blocks, Intel continues its leadership in making InfiniBand architecture the future of Internet data center connectivity."

Industry Enabling Programs to Further InfiniBand Development
Intel today also announced three InfiniBand enabling programs and tools, underscoring Intel's commitment to advancing industry InfiniBand product development. The programs and tools include:


--	Intel InfiniBand Product Development Kits, which will include host channel adapters, an InfiniBand switch and supporting software. They are due in early 2001.
--	Intel's Port Logic Licensing Program, which allows silicon suppliers to license the same interface logic used in Intel's products. This program is currently underway.
--	The Intel InfiniBand Target Transport Service Program, a suite of software elements, such as Intel-developed code, that provide channel adapter vendors with the same software interfaces utilized by Intel. This program begins immediately.

Intel is also launching a series of public showcases containing the latest InfiniBand technology. The showcases will include training on InfiniBand technology led by Intel's InfiniBand architects and industry experts. The first showcase is currently underway at the Fall 2000 Intel Developer Forum Conference.

InfiniBand architecture, a key piece of Intel's strategy to be the leading building block supplier to the Internet economy, is being developed by the InfiniBand Trade Association. The trade association is comprised of over 170 member companies from every segment of the computer industry.

In other Intel server news today, the company provided an update on the progress of the Itanium processor rollout. The company has now shipped over 6,000 prototype development servers and workstations containing more than 29,000 processors. Intel also introduced the industry's first gigahertz processor for servers and high-end workstations, targeting the rapidly growing "high-end" workstation and "front-end" server market segments. These processors inside Intel-based servers address the infrastructure trend of "scaling out," where dot.coms, e-corporations and service providers quickly deploy more servers to accommodate unpredictable, dramatic growth.

About IDF
The Intel Developer Forum Conference is Intel's premier technical forum comprising nearly 250 sessions and hands-on labs and more than 100 demonstrations of cutting-edge products and technologies. IDF attracts thousands of hardware and software developers worldwide. Now in its third year, the semi-annual conference provides hardware OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), IHVs (independent hardware vendors), and ISVs (independent software vendors) with in-depth information on Intel technologies and initiatives.

More information on the Intel Developer Forum can be found at http://developer.intel.com/idf. Updated information is available between Intel Developer Forums by subscribing to the Intel Developer Update Magazine at http://developer.intel.com/update/. Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products.