Intel advances on modularity

ATLANTA--Driving home its message that standards will set the pace for telecommunications, Intel introduced new modular communications platforms with server partners such as Alcatel and HP as well as its own carrier-grade telecom server platform.

Intel’s modular solutions are based on Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (AdvancedTCA) and Rack Mount Servers (RMS) and use Intel processors. The company’s TIGPR2U server uses the Intel Xeon 2.4 GHz processor and has been NEBS certified. It is aimed at both wireless and wireline markets for running advanced services applications such as unified messaging, wireless messaging and prepaid voice.

Standards helped drive the computing business and will do the same for telecom, said Howard Bubb, vice president and general manager of Intel’s network processing group. “We are working on a global scale to evangelize on modularity, he said, “But it’s not just about us equipment guys, the carriers are adopting modularity, too,” he added.

Alcatel is using the TIGPR2U server running the Linux operating system for its multimedia message services proxy software architecture. HP said it would begin shipping its Intel-based cc3310 rack-mount server in the third quarter and plans to use AdvantedTCA standards for its board and chassis design. “Carriers want to take control of their network, and standards let them take control again,” said Paul Fleming, of HP’s network and service provider unit.

HP and Intel said they are working together to develop standards-based solutions for telecom equipment manufacturers based on the AdvancedTCA and RMS specifications. HP this week was named as a premier member of Intel’s Communications Alliance, a community of communications and embedded developers bent on standards-based modular hardware platforms.

“We have been talking modularity for a long time--now there is action behind those words,” said Rich Piziali, product manager for telecom systems operations at HP.