Intel previews Xeon next-gen processors with energy-efficient E-cores
To answer network operators’ demands for energy-efficient scaling, Intel Corporation has disclosed two major updates to drive footprint, power and total cost of ownership savings across 5G core networks: the preview of its Intel Xeon next-gen processors, code-named Sierra Forest, with up to 288 Efficient-cores (E-cores), and the commercial availability of the Infrastructure Power Manager (IPM) software for 5G core.
“Communication service providers require greater infrastructure efficiency as 5G core networks continue to build out,” said Alex Quach, Intel vice president and general manager of Wireline and Core Network Division. “With the majority of 5G core networks deployed on Intel Xeon processors today, Intel is uniquely positioned to address these efficiency challenges. By introducing new Efficient-cores to our roadmap and with the commercial adoption of our Intel Infrastructure Power Manager software, service providers can slash TCO while achieving unmatched performance and power savings across their networks.”
Energy consumption and reduction of the infrastructure footprint remain top challenges that network operators face in building out their wireless 5G core network.
E-cores will provide network operators with processors optimised for energy and TCO savings. Intel Xeon next-gen processors, launching later this year, will offer up to 288 cores and help operators recognise a 2.7x performance per rack improvement – an industry leading performance per rack for 5G Core workloads.
The new processors will allow network operators to increase performance per rack, virtual CPUs (vCPUs) and performance per watt without significant changes to application software. Intel is collaborating closely with operators and 5G core software suppliers to deploy the new processors and Intel Infrastructure Power Manager software.
Launched last year at MWC 2023, the Infrastructure Power Manager software for 5G core proved how operators can take advantage of the built-in telemetry of Intel Xeon processors and reduce CPU power usage without compromising key performance metrics including throughput, latency and packet drop. The software can be installed on existing and future Xeon-based network infrastructure.