Intel announces Itanium

Intel Corporation, the world's leading microprocessor manufacturer, today announced that it has selected Itanium as the new brand name for the first product in its IA-64 family of processors. These were formerly code-named Merced. (click here for more about Merced)

The Itanium brand represents Intel’s reach into the highest level of computing. This processor is expected to enhance and enable powerful servers and high-performance workstations to address the increasing demands of the Internet and e-commerce.

According to Intel research, only 5 per cent of the existing Internet infrastructure is in place today to address the predicted server needs of the e-business environment of the year 2005. The backbone of this environment requires high-powered servers to manage the explosion of digital information, as well as powerful workstations that help to create digital content. These high-end systems must be capable of processing huge amounts of data, managing peak workloads and transactions of various sizes, while maintaining security, responsiveness, availability and reliability.

The IA-64 family of processors incorporates many leading-edge features specifically designed to address these needs. For example, the Itanium processor’s massive computing resources and ability to execute many instructions simultaneously helps the computer provide the greater speed and responsiveness often required for e-business solutions.

The Itanium processor’s very large memory capabilities provide a vast amount of room to store, deliver and "mine" data. Advanced high-availability features help provide the "24 hours-per-day, seven-days-a-week" uptime required for e-business and mission-critical applications.

 "The Intel Itanium processor represents a new level of processor capability that will be the driving force for the Internet economy," said Jami Dover, vice president of Intel’s Sales and Marketing Group. "The Itanium brand represents the strength and performance of the unique processor features that provide customers with a reliable and responsive foundation for e-Business in the future."

First engineering samples of Intel’s Itanium processor have been delivered to Intel customers, with the processor on schedule for production in mid-2000. Itanium-based servers and workstations will be available in the second half of the year 2000.