IBM to integrate Cell/B.E. with mainframe for virtual worlds

Worldwide Computer Products News, April 27, 2007

Worldwide Computer Products News-27 April 2007-IBM to integrate Cell/B.E. with mainframe for virtual worlds(C)1995-2007 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD http://www.m2.com

Computer company IBM has revealed it is to integrate its Cell Broadband Engine (Cell/B.E.), jointly developed by IBM, Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment and Toshiba, with an IBM mainframe in order to create a hybrid with the power and security required for new 'virtual worlds'.

IBM said Brazilian online game company Hoplon Infotainment, which provides software for message passing and physics simulation in online worlds, is also involved.

According to IBM, the approach incorporates the ability of the mainframe to accelerate work through processors, with a networking architecture for the ultra-fast communication required for virtual worlds to be used by large numbers. It said the Cell/B.E. will handle the complex simulation required for the creation of virtual worlds, such as a ball being thrown, which must recognise the laws of gravity.

IBM claimed the Cell/B.E. processor complements the mainframe, a server designed to handle millions of users simultaneously. It said as online environments increasingly include elements of virtual reality such as real-time, lifelike interaction and 3D graphics, demand for a computing platform able to handle demanding security and performance requirements will grow.

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