Intel advances microservers

Intel is looking to create a new category in the server space: the “microserver,” reports eWeek.

During his keynote address at the Intel Developer Forum, Sean Maloney, executive vice-president and GM of the chip maker's Architecture Group, unveiled two low-power versions of its Xeon 3400 line, a 45-watt model that will roll out later this year, and a 30-watt chip that will come out in the first quarter of 2010.

The microserver space will grow in importance as businesses continue to adopt such computing models as cloud computing and technologies like virtualisation, driving demand for smaller servers that are relatively cheap and consume low amounts of power.

Citrix is preparing a major desktop virtualisation push it believes will help speed along the adoption of virtual desktops in the enterprise, and perhaps help the vendor take market share away from rival VMware, states Computerworld.

Citrix has already had a busy year on the desktop virtualisation front. For example, Citrix placed a venture investment in start-up Virtual Computer; announced that it is developing a bare-metal desktop hypervisor; expanded a desktop partnership with Microsoft; upgraded its HDX technology for high-definition virtual desktops; and brought virtual desktops and applications to Apple's iPhone.

While Citrix has not yet revealed its plans publicly, analysts say the company is making desktop virtualisation a major priority. New products and industry partnerships are likely on the horizon.

The PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is due for an update next year, and the upcoming version of the standard could define securing cardholder data in virtualisation environments, says DarkReading.

The PCI Virtualisation Special Interest Group (SIG), made up of auditors, vendors, merchants, banks, and quality security-assessment firms, met to hash out a proposal for how to include virtualisation technology in PCI.

The group is working on proposed changes to the DSS, as well as guidelines for how to map virtualisation to the existing PCI spec.