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PCI evolution at risk from standards split

By Stephen Shankland, CNET News, 17 March, 2003 10:21

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IBM, Intel, Dell, HP, Split, PCI, pci-x, PCI Express, Standard

NEWS
Big-name computing companies have begun speaking out in favour of the PCI-X technology for plugging network cards and other devices into servers. IBM and Hewlett-Packard will start incorporating PCI-X into their servers in 2004, according the companies' top Intel server technologists. The move will be possible through the use of new chipsets, which join processors to memory and input-output systems such as PCI, from Broadcom subsidiary ServerWorks. Those companies and others plan to endorse PCI-X technologies in a joint announcement next week. But not everyone is such a big fan. Dell, the No. 2 seller of Intel servers after HP, prefers a different standard called PCI Express. Dell's strategy dovetails with that of Intel, which is employing PCI Express to connect chips within a server and which like ServerWorks, builds the chipsets that link processors to other parts of a computer. PCI is the dominant standard used to plug network adapters and sound cards into computers. A faster version called PCI-X now is used for servers, which have a greater requirement for high-speed networks and other external connections. Now server makers are focusing on PCI-X 2.0, two versions of which are called PCI-X 266 and PCI-X 533. Those faster successors are needed to keep up with coming versions of networking technology including InfiniBand, Ethernet and Fibre Channel, all of which will be able to transfer 10 GB per second. PCI-X is an extension to existing PCI, meaning that older network cards can be used in newer systems, a factor PCI-X advocates say is key in determining future plans. "An incremental improvement on an incumbent standard is very attractive," said Tom Bradicich, chief technology officer of IBM's xSeries line of Intel servers. HP agreed. "Full backwards compatibility with the millions of installed cards is a real compelling story," added Karl Walker, chief technology officer of HP's Intel server hardware, who believes PCI-X will prevail among customers through 2005. Dell is embracing PCI Express more swiftly. "We're constantly evaluating all technologies, but for now Dell remains focused on PCI Express as the best choice for our customers," the company said in a statement. Dell and Intel's support is important for PCI Express: Their presence will help convince companies with network cards or other adapters to make PCI Express models. PCI-X 266 likely will arrive about a year from now, with PCI-X 533 coming the year after that, said Kimball Brown, vice president of business development for ServerWorks. Bradicich and Walker agreed with the assessment. PCI Express requires a different hardware connection, meaning that old PCI cards won't work in PCI Express slots, but it does let companies re-use the same software. Because of some significant design advantages over PCI-X, PCI Express likely will win out in the long run -- likely after 2005, once the technology has had some time to mature in less-demanding desktop computers. PCI-X uses a "parallel" design with wires whose signals must be carefully synchronised, a difficult feat as speeds or wire counts increase. In contrast, PCI Express uses a "serial" design with a small number of independent high-speed wires. Though the initial incarnation of PCI Express will use slide-in cards similar to PCI, the PCI-SIG, which develops and manages various PCI specifications, is contemplating cable and other connection technologies. One problem for PCI-X is that making it faster requires high quality control in manufacturing that can be expensive, said Gartner Dataquest analyst James Opfer. The two technologies aren't mutually exclusive, but supporting both in the same machine costs server makers more and uses up valuable internal real estate.
Networks and networking products have seen huge innovation and growth in the last few years. High bandwidth LANs and Storage Area Networks are now in common use. ZDNet UK's Networking Central keeps you up to date with the latest news and views. Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom.

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