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POWhy do we need different CPU architecture for server & mini/mainframe & mixed-core?
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copied!<p>I was just wondering what other CPU architectures are available other than INTEL & AMD. So, found <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_CPU_architectures" rel="nofollow noreferrer">List of CPU architectures</a> on Wikipedia.</p> <p>It categorizes notable CPU architectures into following categories.</p> <ol> <li>Embedded CPU architectures</li> <li>Microcomputer CPU architectures</li> <li>Workstation/Server CPU architectures</li> <li>Mini/Mainframe CPU architectures</li> <li>Mixed core CPU architectures</li> </ol> <p>I was analyzing their purposes and have few doubts. Taking Microcomputer CPU (PC) architecture as reference and comparing it to others we have:</p> <p><strong>Embedded CPU architecture:</strong></p> <ul> <li>They are a completely new world.</li> <li>Embedded systems are <em>small & do very specific task mostly real time & low power consuming</em> so we do not need so many & such wide registers available in a microcomputer CPU (typical PC). In other words we do need a new small & tiny architecture. Hence new architecture & new instruction RISC.</li> <li>The above point also clarifies why do we need a separate operating system (RTOS).</li> </ul> <p><strong>Workstation/Server CPU architectures</strong></p> <ul> <li>I don't know what is a workstation. Someone clarify regarding the workstation. </li> <li>As of the server. It is dedicated to run a specific software (server software like httpd, mysql etc.). Even if other processes run we need to give server process priority therefore there is a need for new scheduling scheme and thus we need operating system different than general purpose one. If you have any more points for the need of server OS please mention. </li> <li>But I don't get why do we need a new CPU Architecture. Why cant Microcomputer CPU architecture do the job. Can someone please clarify?</li> </ul> <p><strong>Mini/Mainframe CPU architectures</strong></p> <ul> <li>Again I don't know what are these & what miniframes or mainframes used for? I just know they are very big and occupy complete floor. But I never read about some real world problems they are trying to solve. If any one working on one of these. Share your knowledge.</li> <li>Can some one clarify its purpose & why is it that microcomputer CPU archicture not suitable for it?</li> <li>Is there a new kind of operating system for this too? Why?</li> </ul> <p><strong>Mixed core CPU architectures</strong></p> <ul> <li>Never heard of these. </li> </ul> <p>If possible please keep your answer in this format:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>XYZ CPU architectures</strong></p> <ul> <li><em>Purpose of XYZ</em></li> <li><em>Need for a new architecture.</em> why can't current microcomputer CPU architecture work? They go upto 3GHZ & have upto 8 cores. </li> <li><em>Need for a new Operating System</em> Why do we need a new kind of operating system for this kind of archictures?</li> </ul> </blockquote> <p><strong>EDIT:</strong></p> <p>Guys, this is not a homework problem. I can't do anything to make you guys believe. I don't know if the question is not clear or something else but I'm only interested in just specific technical details. </p> <p>Let me put a part of this question in another way. You are in an interview and if the interviewer asks you "tell me, Microcomputer processors are fast & a lot capable and our PC operating systems are good. Why do we need a different architecture like SPARC, Itanium and need a different OS like Windows Server for servers?". What would you answer? I hope got my point.</p>

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