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

[David Froble]

Dirk Munk wrote:
> 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.

New ideas are good.  Not all are feasible.

But right now, for me, I'd just like a TCP/IP with SSL that is a bit less 
painful than a root canal without anesthetic ....