AMD revamps ATI FireStream

AMD has updated its ATI FireStream server graphics processing unit (GPU) cards, promising to improve performance, while making it easier for server vendors to build the cards into their offerings, reports V3.co.uk.

The chip maker says the move to a passive cooling system will allow vendors to use a server's built-in cooling systems and make it easier to integrate GPU hardware into designs.

It also expands the role of the FireStream platform from markets such as financial analysis, physics simulations and geological modelling, into wider areas such as cloud computing and server-based graphics modelling.

Open source solutions provider Red Hat has revealed the next step in the integration of its enterprise-grade server and desktop virtualisation portfolio with the roll-out of Red Hat Enterprise Virtualisation 2.2, states Market Watch.

Navin Thadani, senior director, virtualisation business at Red Hat, says: "Already experiencing traction with server and cloud deployments, the solution expands its reach today with the delivery of our desktop virtualisation management capabilities to help more customers to break down the barriers to virtualisation adoption."

Red Hat Enterprise Virtualisation 2.2 hosts and manages both Microsoft Windows and Linux virtual machines, provides a single infrastructure from which customers can manage their server and desktop virtualisation deployments.

Browser firm Opera has revealed plans to switch its data centre servers to smaller models from Dell in a bid to increase performance, says V3.co.uk.

The data centres are responsible for powering Opera Mini and Opera Turbo, and the change will increase performance by a third while cutting power consumption by 35%.

Opera co-founder Jon von Tetzchner says the new servers will help to keep a lid on power expenditure while still remaining agile for growth. "To keep up with growth while maintaining a low overhead on resources, having the optimal configuration of hardware is essential.”