IBM Launches CPU for Hybrid Cloud
Support for next-generation encryption standards such as quantum resistance
Produced using Samsung Electronics Foundry's 7nm process


An enterprise-grade hybrid cloud requires a robust on-premises and off-site architecture that includes optimized hardware and software.

On the 18th, IBM unveiled the IBM Power10 processor, the next-generation model of the IBM Power CPU product line.

The Power10, optimized for Red Hat software, is a 7nm process-based processor specialized for enterprise-grade hybrid cloud environments. IBM said that compared to the previous model, the Power9, it is improved by up to three times in processor energy efficiency, workload capacity, and container density, allowing more work to be done with fewer resources.

Security has also been enhanced. Power10 provides end-to-end security with Transparent Memory Encryption, and with four times as many AES encryption engines as Power9, it supports not only current encryption standards but also next-generation encryption standards such as quantum safe cryptography and fully homomorphic cryptography.

Additionally, to address new security issues arising from the recent increase in container density, hardware-based container protection and isolation capabilities are provided in a form co-optimized with Power10 firmware. Even if one container is attacked, the remaining containers in the same virtual machine (VM) can be protected from being affected by the attack.

IBM is enabling multi-petabyte memory clusters by enabling Power10-based systems in a cluster to access and share each other’s memory through a new technology called Memory Inception. Cloud providers can offer more functionality with fewer servers, and cloud users can rent fewer resources to meet their IT needs.

Power10 is designed to enhance in-core AI inference capabilities without requiring additional specialized hardware. IBM said that by equipping the Matrix Match Accelerator, AI inference can be performed 10x, 15x, and 20x faster in FP32, BFloat16, and INT8 operations, respectively, compared to Power9.

The IBM Power10 processor is produced by Samsung Electronics, and servers based on the processor are scheduled to be officially released in the second half of 2021.