User decision process
Any decision between the Intel Xeon and Itanium architectures begins with current and future application availability. Although Itanium will run 32-bit applications at the hardware level, performance will be suboptimized and there will not be substantial benefits above lower-cost Xeon-based servers. Users may choose to implement Itanium architecture for 32-bit applications as a tactical move where increased on-chip I/O and memory would benefit performance, or where migration to a Itanium-architecture-optimized application is planned in the near future.
If an application optimized for Itanium architecture is available and certified to be resilient by the supplier or application development group, the IPF becomes a viable option if the workload profile is aligned with the processor benefits. If there is not strong alignment between workload type and the design benefits of Itanium architecture, it is not apparent that users will get value from choosing a 64-bit platform above 32 bits.
Users should ask the following questions regarding the application platform. If the answer is yes to questions 1 and 2 plus one other, then it is likely that an Itanium architecture platform would deliver value and performance benefits.
- Have the applications been compiled and optimized for the Itanium architecture in accordance with Intel's guidelines?
- Have the applications been proven as scalable and reliable on the Itanium-based platform?
- Is there a need for scalability beyond eight processors in a single SMP system?
- Does the application or database utilize large memory sets held in processor memory?
- Are the applications primarily using compute-intensive floating-point calculations?
- If the applications are of commercial transaction processing type, would multiple threads of the code running in parallel improve performance?
- Is the server for use as a security gateway where complex encryption algorithms need to be processed in real time?
The migration between Intel Xeon processor and Itanium processor architectures is likely to be driven by new application investment or long-planned upgrades of existing package. Applications currently running on a 32-bit platform and well within their scalability and performance service levels are unlikely candidates for migration to 64 bit unless there are major changes in the requirements from the business (e.g., rollout to additional users). However, if the application is underperforming, is reaching the edge of the potential of its current servers, and is available in a 64-bit optimized version, a migration would in many cases be beneficial. It will usually be easier to migrate to a 64-bit platform than split monolithic applications or databases across multiple 32-bit servers.
Our research indicates increased uptake in Intel Itanium architecture (Itanium 2 and forward) during the next 12-24 months, as applications and OSs prove their scalability and reliability in a 64-bit environment. However, this is only the starting point for users considering Xeon or a move to Itanium architecture. Given Intel's aggressive road map for Xeon enhancements through 2005, users must evaluate the alignment between their proposed workload for the Itanium platform and the features offered by the processor family. Without this, users are at risk of not choosing the right server infrastructure for their present and future workloads. If this evaluation process is rigorously followed, users will find that a decision between Xeon and Itanium architecture is relatively simple and those responsible for server deployment will correctly align the value and performance of their investments with business objectives.
Business Impact: The cost of server migration to new architectures should be planned over several technology generations.
Bottom Line: As Intel dominates the volume platform business, the choice of the right Intel processor for the right workload is key dependent on memory requirement and application optimization.
"Choosing the Right Intel Server for the Right Job"
Originally published July 26, 2002
By Philip Dawson
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