During the MWC 2024 exhibition, Intel confirmed plans to release their new Xeon Sierra Forest series of specialized server processors for peripheral systems this year. The company also affirmed the launch of Granite Rapids-D processors in the following year, 2025.
According to Intel, these Xeon Sierra Forest processors will deliver up to 2.7 times higher performance per server rack as compared to similar platforms from 2021. However, Intel did not specify which platforms they were comparing too.
The Xeon Sierra Forest processors will also feature an updated Intel Infrastructure Power Manger (IPM) software, designed for 5G networks. This software effectively reduces power consumption by up to 30% without compromising on key performance metrics, by better managing individual core states. This will allow the creation of more energy-efficient 5G network infrastructures, leading to reduced carbon emissions and reduced operational costs for mobile network operators.
Modern mobile network infrastructures are increasingly adopting virtualized Radio Access Networks or vRANs rather than relying on proprietary equipment. vRAN is a part of broader Network Function Virtualization (VFN) systems, that can be utilized by network providers for more flexible and efficient network management. This also includes virtual firewalls, DNS, SBC/IMS, and vEPC (Virtual Evolved Packet Cores) for 4G/5G networks.
The Sierra Forest and Granite Rapids-D processors are also equipped with vRAN Boost technology, aimed at simplifying the deployment of virtualized Radio Access Networks (vRAN) and accelerating the creation of 4G/5G mobile infrastructures.
Additionally, Intel introduced vRAN AI, the first developer kit that allows general-purpose servers to create Artificial Intelligence models optimized for vRAN. This technology will enable 5G network providers to adapt their vRAN functions to specific use cases.
Intel is currently showcasing systems based on the Xeon Sierra Forest at the MWC exhibition in Barcelona.
