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Microsoft: Dual-Core Chip is Still One Processor.

Microsoft Discloses OS Licensing Policy Amid AMD’s Applauds

[10/19/2004 11:05 PM]
by Anton Shilov

Microsoft announced on Tuesday that the company’s server software, which is currently licensed by the number of processors in the server, will continue to be licensed in that model for server hardware that contains dual-core and multi-core processors, and will not be licensed according to the number of processing engines within the central processing unit.

“Microsoft’s licensing strategy will help facilitate the broad adoption of multi-core server technology,” said Brent Callinicos, corporate vice president of Worldwide Licensing and Pricing at Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft’s move is applauded by AMD, who has already showcased working dual-core x86-64 processors and is expects to release them in mid-2005. Additionally, the Sunnyvale, California-based chipmaker will offer its customers dual-core chips for desktops by the end of 2005.

Multi-core processors are a logical evolution in performance improvements for multi-tasking environments, and dual-core AMD64 processors with Direct Connect Architecture are expected to more efficiently support those multi-tasking demands. Dual-core AMD Opteron processors are expected to be socket compatible with the 90nm single-core AMD Opteron packaging.

The licensing policy from Microsoft will allow the enterprise not to spend additional funds on software for systems running dual-core chips or reinstall operating systems. However, one of the main advantages of AMD Opteron processor – 64-bit capability amid full 32-bit compatibility – is not currently used in Windows environments, as Microsoft plans to roll-out its operating systems for x86-64 chips sometime in early 2005.

“I haven’t spoken with a single IT manager who wants to swap out their current servers just to upgrade to multi-core technology. With AMD Opteron™ processor-based hardware, the upgradeability to upcoming dual-core AMD Opteron processors, and Microsoft’s software licensing plans, the IT community will be able to reap the rewards of multi-core technology without the pain of upheaval,” said Marty Seyer, corporate vice president and general manager for AMD’s Microprocessor Business Unit, Computation Products Group.

Discussion

Comments currently: 3
Discussion started: 10/20/04 06:40:54 AM
Latest comment: 10/21/04 06:13:48 AM

[1-3]

1. 
"as Microsoft plans to roll-out its operating systems for x86-64 chips sometime in early 2004."

...more likely sometime in early 2005, unless they have time machine ;)
[Posted by: TD  | Date: 10/20/04 06:40:54 AM]
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2. 
Early 2006? :)
[Posted by: PlaceYourBets  | Date: 10/20/04 06:50:11 AM]
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3. 
The bad on that X86-64 is that Intel still has zero committment on what Prescotts are compatible and what are not. This is the whole hyperthreading debacle all over again only worse, because this will be a mainstream ability in 2005.

Of course do they care? Nope! They just want to sell the idiots who bought too early a new cpu in 2005. This is horrible customer service and people should take note of it.

Now the dual core licensing thing? Microsoft is setting the mold here, and I think its the right one. There was a similar issue when Hyperthreading came out, but I think it was easier to judge on since performance didn't really increase much. This current standpoint is the right one. It lets the industry advance. It lets them prepare for Longhorn sales. And its not like MS isn't already charging a fair penny for their OS's now. And of course you're likely to see better dual core support, maybe ANY dual core support only in XP Pro and later Longhorn Pro versions. That's a guess, but it's an easy and logical way to divide up your target markets.

We don't always have things to laud MS for, but this decision is certainly one of them. Kudos.
[Posted by: Anemone  | Date: 10/21/04 06:13:48 AM]
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