Memory eXpansion Technology

IBM's new technology promises to double server memory capacity. The technology will be first implemented in IBM's Netfinity server line during the first half of 2001.

by Wayne Kawamoto [July 10, 2000]

IBM Research recently unveiled a new technology that promises to doubles the memory capacity of computer servers — a breakthrough that the company says can save ISPs and other large technology installations millions of dollars. Called IBM Memory eXpansion Technology (MXT), it could eventually be adapted for personal computers and pervasive e-business devices, but is initially designed for Intel-based industry-standard PC servers, such as IBM's Netfinity line.

According to IBM, MXT is a hardware implementation that automatically stores frequently accessed data and instructions close to a computer's microprocessors so they can be accessed immediately — significantly improving performance. Also, less frequently accessed data and instructions are compressed and stored in memory instead of on disk.

MXT incorporates a new level of cache that's designed to efficiently handle data and instructions on a memory controller chip. By combining new hardware-based compression algorithms and millions of tiny transistors, IBM says that it can double server memory capacity for most applications. Also, the company claims that the new technology is seamless to end-users because the compressed data can be uncompressed in nanoseconds when needed.

Since MXT is supposed to double the memory capacity of a machine, a typical Windows 2000 or NT server-based rack-mounted configuration may be able to achieve its maximum memory capacity of 168 gigabytes with only 84 gigabytes installed. With the retail cost of server memory at several thousand dollars per gigabyte, IBM claims that a system could double its memory capacity and cut its cost per gigabyte by half, saving about $250,000 per rack of servers.

For a customer with a large IT installation — such as an ISP with multiple racks of servers — IBM says that MXT could result in total savings of more than a million dollars. With MXT installed, ISPs may be able to cut costs by purchasing half the memory to achieve the same performance, or increase performance by installing the same amount of memory to achieve twice the capacity. According to IBM, the savings can be significant for both small and large customers, as memory comprises 40-70 percent of the total cost of most NT-based server configurations.

"Adding memory is often the most effective way to improve system performance, but it's a costly proposition," said Mark Dean, IBM Fellow and Vice President of Systems Research. "IBM Memory eXpansion Technology is a game-changing development that improves system performance without adding costly physical memory."

Pricing and Availability
Pricing has not yet been decided. The technology will appear first in IBM's Netfinity server line during the first half of 2001.

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