Intel processors boost to 5G network transformation
To help speed time to market Intel offers its 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processor (code-named “Ice Lake”), including new network-optimised N-SKUs along with verified solution blueprints.
Intel says its N-SKUs deliver an average 62 per cent more performance on a range of broadly deployed 5G and network workloads over the previous generation. The company has also started sampling next-generation Intel Xeon D processors designed for space and power-constrained environments at the edge.
The new network-optimised SKUs suit wireless core, wireless access, network edge workloads and security appliances. They are available in a range of cores, frequency, features and power to deliver lower latency, higher throughput and deterministic performance for service provider network transformation requirements.
Intel software guard extensions integrated into the 3rd Gen Xeon processors enable secure channel setup and communication between the 5G control functions. Built-in crypto acceleration can reduce the performance impact of full data encryption and increase the performance of encryption-intensive workloads.
The new processors can be paired with Intel’s suite of platform components and software, including Intel FPGAs, Ethernet 800 series adapters, Optane persistent memory, FlexRAN, OpenNESS, Open Visual Cloud and Intel Smart Edge.
Agilex 10 nanometer FPGAs are being used in wireless core and access segments to provide infrastructure acceleration capabilities to complement core and access workloads running on Intel Xeon Scalable processors.
With 3rd gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, Intel says that communications service providers can increase 5G UPF performance by up to 42 per cent. Combined with Intel Ethernet 800 series adapters, they can deliver the performance, efficiency and trust for use cases that require low latency, including augmented reality, cloud-based gaming, discrete automation and robotic-aided surgery.
Intel has also announced updates to its network workload-optimised solutions for vRAN, Visual Cloud Deliver Network and NFVI Forwarding Platform, which offer pre-tested and verified configurations. These solutions were developed with various software partners, including Red Hat, VMware and Wind River. Intel is also working with a number of Intel network builders ecosystem partners to verify their offerings for these solutions, including: ASUS, Advantech, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intequus, Inventec, Lanner Electronics, Lenovo, Nexcom, QCT, Supermicro and ZT Systems.
