[Info-vax] Gen-Z, a new memory interconnect on the horizon.

[Dirk Munk]

David Froble wrote:
> Robert A. Brooks wrote:
>> On 10/13/2016 6:39 PM, Dirk Munk wrote:
>>> You can read all about it here:
>>>
>>> http://genzconsortium.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Gen-Z-Consortium-Briefing-Deck_Final.pdf
>>>
>>>
>>> Something for VMS v.10?
>>
>> No, we'll be busy ensuring that DECnet Phase III (old PDP-11 hardware)
>> can communicate with
>> DECnet on the X86 hardware.
>>
>
> Now, now, holding a grudge is a bit unseemly, isn't it?
>
> But, I did laugh ....

So did I, but let's not forget to take a good look at this new Gen-z 
development.

The general idea seems to be to add enormous amounts of different types 
of memory to a system by means of a new network type. I suppose that 
means that the interface or interfaces of such a network will be 
directly connected to the cpu, meaning new cpu designs. Strangely 
enough, Intel is not a member of this consortium.

At the same time the amount of 'normal' RAM in a system will decrease. 
That makes sense, since most of the RAM is used for cache etc, and you 
don't need that if databases etc. are accessible with almost RAM speed.

Now what the presentation doesn't show, but what I think would be a 
logical next step, is to replace the standard DRAM by SRAM. Of course 
SRAM is much more expensive, but it is also much faster. Since we will 
not need as much directly connected memory any more as we do today, that 
might be feasible.

Interesting developments.