Sgolds, Re: Plans are one thing, execution is another. Intel doesn't make servers so they can't do that alone. Outside HP and some supercomputer design wins, I just don't see where the IPF penetration is happening. There are other vendors offering IPF, but they look more like checklist offerings, not strategies.
A better question to ask is who *isn't* offering an Itanium 2 server. You give Intel a lot of credit if you think they convinced nearly every enterprise OEM under the sun (or should I say all except for Sun?) to offer an Itanium "checklist offering". While HP seems to be the only one going top to bottom with IPF, that doesn't discount the fact that other OEMs feel strongly enough about the architecture not to be left in the dark. The funny thing is, as much as this board crows about the IBM e325, they completely blow off any other OEM that offers an IPF solution, claiming that the OEM isn't committed enough. What a hoot!
Re: Sun is being creamed by IBM's Power servers. You can't show me any significant market movement from Sun to IPF, but the numbers consistantly show IBM gaining while Sun loses. How much IPF does IBM ship? No, if you are going to support this claim then you will have to show a pretty detailed marketing report that breaks down server sales by architecture, or show that HP is making big gains with their IPF line. So far I see neither.
Yeah, yeah, so where's the beef, right? Look. Sun has spent a lot of money on anti-IPF FUD campaigns and IBM has put a ton of effort into beefing up their Power showing in response to IPF. These things would not be happening if IPF were not gaining share. So that's my "indirect" evidence. Since you apparently want more, you'll have to wait for the numbers to come out. Until then, I guess I'm privy to a bit more information than you.
Re: You'd better hope that neither of these things happen: Opteron takes off and replaces Xeon, or Intel produces a 64-bit Xeon. Your statement sounds more like wishful thinking than market analysis.
Here's what I think: AMD is up a river without a paddle until they get more software for x86-64. No one cares about 64-bit "future" performance. They'll eventually get there, though, and Intel will have to respond. If and when this happens, Intel will play the 64-bit Xeon card and continue to push with IPF as a higher end solution. You and plenty of others think this is instant death for IPF, but I happen to think there's more to the story than just 64-bits. We'll see who ends up being right.
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