Reconfigurable multicore server processors for low power operation

Abstract

With power becoming a key design constraint, particularly in server machines, emerging architectures need to leverage reconfigurable techniques to provide an energy optimal system. The need for a single chip solution to fit all needs in a warehouse sized server is important for designers. This allows for simpler design, ease of programmability, and part reuse in all segments of the server. A reconfigurable design would allow a single chip to operate efficiently in all aspects of a server providing both single thread performance for tasks requiring it, and efficient parallel processing helping to reduce power consumption. In this paper we explore the possibility of a reconfigurable server part and discuss the benefits and open questions still surrounding these techniques. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.