Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) is trying to make itself bigger in networking after being a microprocessor king, says a report from The Wall Street Journal. Though the company has been present in networking for many years now, it appears that it’s not satisfied with its position.
Processors to carry more data
The chip maker claims it has enhanced the capability of its general-purpose processors to carry a huge amount of data around, approaching the capabilities of chips that are specifically designed for that use.
According to Rose Schooler, vice president and general manager of Intel’s data center Group, in 2004, Intel has chips that were capable of shipping 250,000 data packets per second. Now, the company is launching the chips that can ship around 255 million packets per second.
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) states that major work is done by the x86 circuitry, which is the technology used for most PCs. Along with the brand-new Xeon chips, Intel would launch an accelerator chip that could manage specialized jobs like inspecting packets for security problems and encrypting them to guard against data theft.
Networking holds big potential for Intel
Schooler goes on to say that replacement does not mean that chips from Intel would be an alternative to all networking chips designed by other companies such as Cisco. But she adds: “Where we think you can extend the use of general-purpose computing is probably a bit further than where they would.”
Schooler said that Intel is targeting a $16 billion market, which Intel can materialize significantly. In the segment, Intel has just 5% share.
According to Patrick Moorhead, an analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, Intel continues to enhance the accelerator chips that can support its processors to the extent that companies like Cisco would feel the impact.
Analysts positive
The analysts added that the moment Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) targets any particular technology, and “there is a fire burning underneath them” then they are far more motivated and successful. Also, according to Moorhead Intel can grow in data center only when it grows in networking.
Intel’s networking chips provide a similar set of functions for Atom and Xeon solutions for small to large systems. These functions are IPsec and SSL security, Intel’s DPDK (Data Plane Development Kit) technology for faster packet processing and Hyperscan deep-packet inspection powered by technology acquired earlier this year with Sensory Networks.
Intel launched a networking platform coded Highland forest, which is a combination of Xeon CPU and the new Coleto Creek chipset.
