Dell unveils 'ultra-light' server

Dell has released an 'ultra-light' server that will be powered by low-power processors designed for use in low-cost laptops, reports Computerworld.

Via Technologies' Nano netbook processors will power Dell's XS11-VX8 servers, which are designed to run light server workloads like Web hosting applications. Nano chips are primarily seen in netbooks, like Samsung's NC20, to run basic applications like Web surfing and word processing.

Dell's move to use Nano chips is part of a growing trend to use low-power chips in servers to reduce data centre costs. Compared to traditional server chips, netbook chips require less energy and cooling.

IT managers will now be able to consider energy efficiency when purchasing servers through an easily understood labelling programme, according to Reuters.

Servers are one of the largest consumers of energy in data centres, which drive financial transactions, Web sites and corporate enterprise computing, and are expected to consume 3% of all US electricity this year. Their collective carbon footprint is expected to eclipse that of the airline industry by 2020.

The Environmental Protection Agency has introduced the Energy Star programme, beginning with the Tier 1 rating system for low-end enterprise servers.

Cisco Systems has designed a set of proprietary Asics to more than double the Dram memory linked to an Intel Nehalem processor, states EETimes.

The company aims to use the technology to leapfrog existing server makers in areas such as database performance or the number of virtual machines a server can support.

Cisco unveiled its plan to get into the server business in March, competing with the likes of IBM and Hewlett-Packard. At the time it said the close integration of its fibre channel over Ethernet technology with its servers would be a major differentiating factor along with the Nehalem memory expansion.