INDUSTRY

PALO ALTO, CA -- Telephone companies and cable operators have had big plans to bring Web access and digital services (such as home and office security surveillance, home control and entertainment) to the mass consumer market for quite some time. This means that as part of one service, you could select movies to watch, choose video games to play, tune in to a distance learning program featuring a renowned lecturer or simply have incredibly fast Internet access. With all of today's technology advances, you may be wondering why this isn't possible now. The reason is that these types of services are amazingly complicated to deliver, even though there are basically two requirements. One is the need to bring fiber optic cable, so-called "fat pipes," in homes and businesses. The other less obvious requirement is the extremely large computer processing power that's needed to turn on which service you request, deliver it by streaming video, data and sound over the "pipe," and bill you when done. Hewlett-Packard Company is looking to solve this computer-processing dilemma with a new technology called blade servers. Today, telecommunications companies operate data centers equipped with massive banks of computers that handle everything from turning on caller ID to billing for e-mail services. Most of these companies have to manage two completely different computing networks: Internet protocol (IP) for data services and switching for voice services. The raw computing power and associated costs needed for voice and data services is daunting, especially for companies facing the current economic climate. Fast computers are required, both in the data center itself and within a mile or two of your home or business - much like the big green switching boxes used to provide telephone service you see scattered throughout neighborhoods. In the past, the telecommunications industry had one alternative -- a giant computer in a box -- hardly something that can be deployed sensibly in a neighborhood. All this has the telecommunications industry wondering how it can invest in the future without driving up the cost of current services. Enter blade server technology, which HP has recently introduced with the HP Blade Server. This 8 x 11-inch, 1-inch-thick UNIX(R) server has the ability to bring processing power closer to home by residing in local neighborhood telephone switching boxes, solving one of the main issues plaguing the telecommunications industry's plans for advanced, converged voice and data services. It's the size of a modest Christmas package, with all the power of a massive computer. And it may be the key for telecommunications companies who want to combine voice and data services. The cost of non-standard, proprietary technology has been a deterrent to telecommunications companies operating on slim profit margins. Since the HP Blade Server is based on open industry standards, companies can afford to buy and install this new technology without having to hire expensive staff to run it, thus keeping digital service costs low for consumers. Since telecommunications companies can now place HP Blade Servers closer to consumers, they will be able to deliver on some of their bigger plans - such as affordable video security surveillance for small businesses, local interactive gaming, home automation and entertainment, and specialized content and services for multi-unit dwellings, such as townhouse complexes or apartment buildings. Thanks to blade server technology, a whole new world of voice and data services and entertainment will be brought directly to your doorstep. About the Author: As chief technologist for HP's UNIX server business, Lin Nease is responsible for leading the commercial server business product portfolio process as well as the technology strategy. Nease has been with HP for 15 years, primarily in R&D, but also in marketing and business strategy. To find out more information about the HP Utility Data Center please go to http://www.hpservernews.com/blades.