Gain advanced Linux computing with Novell and AMD64

Gain advanced Linux computing with Novell and AMD64

AMD AND NOVELL DELIVER COMPREHENSIVE FUNCTIONALITY THAT MAKES THE MOST OF WHAT OPEN SOURCE HAS TO OFFER

A COMPREHENSIVE LINUX SOLUTION

Linux® is about more than an operating system. It’s about the ecosystem of applications, databases, and technical expertise that makes your business successful. With the combination of AMD Opteron™ processors and SUSE® Linux Enterprise Server from Novell®, you get an exceptional Linux platform engineered for secure enterprise computing.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server provides a robust, scalable, and flexible infrastructure that takes advantage of the most advanced features of AMD64 technology. In fact, SUSE Linux was one of the first Linux operating systems to support AMD64. Built for reliability, this advanced solution offers comprehensive functionality to power today’s networks and meet even the most challenging user demands.

OPTIMIZED PERFORMANCE AND SCALABILITY

Here are just some of the capabilities you get with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server:

»A scalable, high-performance platform built on the powerful new Linux 2.6 kernel

»Guaranteed data privacy with the highest level of

security and operations certification in the Linux market — Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL) 4+

»Lower management costs with an array of unique management features that simplify deployment, configuration, and maintenance

And AMD64 technology helps make it possible. The

AMD Opteron processor provides increased performance, scalability, and power efficiency for running today’s critical business applications with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. Plus, with the flexibility to migrate to 64-bit computing, this industry-leading processor enables a dramatic leap forward in compatibility, performance, investment protection, and reduced total cost of ownership (TCO).

WORLD’S LARGEST CHIPSET PROVIDER SLASHES PRODUCTION TIME WITH AMD AND NOVELL

QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies (QCT), the largest provider of 3G chipset and software technology in the world, is always looking for cutting-edge solutions to build complete chipsets within ever-shortening time-to-market windows. That’s why the company turned to AMD Opteron™ processors with existing 32-bit versions of the applications running on a 64-bit Linux OS. The overall improvements offered by the AMD Opteron processor give QCT, the ability to run more simulations in the same period, as compared with its previous systems. According to Mike Broxterman, IT staff manager at QCT,“In head-to-head comparisons, we’ve seen 2X to 2.5X performance gains compared to competing systems. When you’re talking about a single simulation taking as long as 17 hours, cutting that time in half is a very significant improvement.”

64 specifications

AMD64 is a 64-bit architecture developed by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) as an extension of the x86 architecture. Introduced in the early 2000s, it aimed to offer enhanced performance and capabilities to powering modern computing systems. One of the main features of AMD64 is its ability to address a significantly larger amount of memory compared to its 32-bit predecessors. While the old x86 architecture was limited to 4 GB of RAM, AMD64 can theoretically support up to 16 exabytes of memory, making it ideal for applications requiring large datasets, such as scientific computing and complex simulations.

Another key characteristic of AMD64 is its support for backward compatibility. This means that it can run existing 32-bit applications seamlessly, allowing users to upgrade their hardware without losing access to their existing software libraries. This backward compatibility is achieved through a mode known as Compatibility Mode, enabling users to benefit from both newer 64-bit applications and older 32-bit applications.

AMD64 also incorporates several advanced technologies to optimize performance. One such technology is the support for multiple cores and simultaneous multithreading (SMT). This allows processors to handle multiple threads concurrently, improving overall performance, especially in multi-tasking and multi-threaded applications. With the rise of multi-core processors, AMD64 has gained traction in both consumer and enterprise markets, providing users with an efficient computing experience.

Additionally, AMD64 supports advanced vector extensions (AVX), which enhance the capability of processors to perform single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) operations. This is particularly beneficial for tasks such as video encoding, scientific simulations, and cryptography, allowing these processes to be executed much faster, thereby increasing overall throughput.

Security features are also integrated within AMD64 architecture. Technologies like AMD Secure Execution and Secure Memory Encryption help protect sensitive data and provide an enhanced security environment for virtualized systems.

In summary, AMD64 is a powerful and versatile architecture that extends the capabilities of x86, offering enhanced memory addressing, backward compatibility, multi-core processing, vector extensions, and robust security features. These innovations have positioned AMD as a strong competitor in the computing landscape, catering to the demands of modern users and applications. The continuous evolution of AMD64 technology demonstrates AMD's commitment to pushing the boundaries of computing performance and efficiency.