Chapter 1 Hardware Configuration

1.1 Introduction

The MIC-3358 is a CompactPCI® server blade with Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor-M on board to compliant with Compact Packet Switching Backplane (cPSB) systems. Supporting the PICMG 2.16 specification, the MIC-3358 delivers a cost performance platform for those applications that demand high performance. It is an ideal platform for emerging appli- cation such as switch-fabric blade server, mission critical and computing intensive applications.

The new MIC-3358 has been optimized for the Intel® Pentium® 4 Pro- cessor-M and Intel® 845E Chipset. It unveils as a high performance cPCI platforms, delivering compelling system bus speed performance across the 400 MHz with Intel NetBurst™ Micro-Architecture, Its inno- vated wider data paths and flexible memory refresh technology optimize the DDR SDRAM performance in MIC-3358.

High Performance Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor -M

The MIC-3358 supports Intel® Pentium® 4 processor-M 1.7GHz and 2.2GHz , with u-FCPGA package. The Intel® Pentium®4 processor-M has on-chip 512KB L2 cache providing high performance. With the sup- port of a 400MHz front side bus, the MIC-3358 can fulfill customer’s expectations of price-performance computing capability.

Compact Mechanical Design

The MIC-3358 has many functions on a single board with only one-slot width. Advantech provides a CPU heat sink specially designed for the Intel® Pentium®4 processor -M, enabling the MIC-3358 to operate with- out a cooling fan on the heat sink. It only needs external cooling air from the chassis fans for ventilation. This enables the MIC-3358 to use Intel® Pentium®4 processor - M within a mere 1-slot wide space.

Single P2P Bridge

The MIC-3358 with single PCI-to-PCI Bridge is applicable up to 8-slot enclosure and drive up to seven bus master PCI slots in master mode. Fur- thermore, it supports master and drone modes. The MIC-3358 can also operate in drone mode in a peripheral slot, whereby it functions as a stand-alone computer and does not communicate on the CompactPCI® bus.

MIC-3358 User’s Manual

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Intel MIC-3358 Introduction, High Performance Intel Pentium 4 Processor -M, Compact Mechanical Design, Single P2P Bridge
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MIC-3358 specifications

The Intel MIC-3358, also known as the Intel Many Integrated Core (MIC) architecture, represents a pivotal innovation in high-performance computing and parallel processing. This product is part of Intel's Xeon Phi family and was specifically designed to tackle demanding workloads, making it a popular choice for research institutions and industries requiring significant computational power.

One of the standout features of the MIC-3358 is its many-core architecture, which integrates numerous processor cores on a single chip. This allows for massively parallel processing capabilities, enabling the execution of multiple tasks simultaneously. With a total of 60 cores, the MIC-3358 can deliver exceptional performance for applications such as scientific simulations, data analytics, and machine learning.

The architecture of the MIC-3358 is notable for its x86 compatibility. Unlike traditional GPUs, the MIC-3358 can run standard x86 applications unmodified, ensuring seamless integration into existing workflows and simplifying development. This feature helps users leverage their existing software tools and libraries without requiring extensive porting or adaptation.

Another key technology is the incorporation of advanced memory architecture, featuring a high-bandwidth memory system. The MIC-3358 supports GDDR5 memory, enabling rapid data transfer rates that are crucial for performance-intensive applications. This, combined with an efficient memory architecture, helps overcome memory bandwidth limitations often encountered in high-performance computing.

The MIC-3358 also includes support for Intel's advanced vector extensions (AVX) and AVX-512, which enhance the processing of vector operations and allow for more efficient data handling. This makes the MIC-3358 particularly effective for workloads that involve large datasets and require complex mathematical computations.

Energy efficiency is another defining characteristic of the MIC-3358. Despite its high core count, the architecture is designed to deliver optimal performance per watt, making it suitable for large data centers where power consumption is a crucial factor.

In summary, the Intel MIC-3358 stands out due to its many-core architecture, x86 compatibility, high-bandwidth memory support, advanced vector instructions, and energy efficiency. These features collectively position it as a powerful solution for high-performance computing challenges, enabling a wide array of applications across various sectors. As the demand for computational resources continues to grow, the MIC-3358 remains a vital component in the landscape of advanced computing technologies.
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