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IBM unveils technology to boost memory capacity

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CIOL Bureau
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NEW YORK: International Business Machines Corp. said it has developed a new technology that promises to double the memory of servers and the powerful computers that run networks and Web sites.



The new technology, which IBM calls "Memory eXpansion," is a memory controller chip that automatically stores frequently accessed data and instructions close to the machine''s microprocessors so it can be accessed immediately, improving performance. Less frequently accessed data and instructions are compressed and retained in-memory instead of on a disk - increasing memory capacity by a factor of two or more, IBM said. The technology is initially designed for Intel-based industry-standard PC servers, and IBM said it was working to use the technology in its own Netfinity server line. It could eventually be adapted for other servers, storage subsystems, personal computers and electronic business devices.



IBM said customers can use the technology to either cut costs by purchasing half the memory to achieve the same performance, or they can increase performance by installing the same amount of memory to achieve twice the capacity. "Adding memory is often the most effective way to improve system performance, but it''s a costly proposition," said IBM fellow and vice president of systems research Mark Dean in a statement. "IBM Memory eXpansion Technology is a game-changing development that improves system performance without adding costly physical memory."



(C) Reuters Limited 2000.

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