Supporting Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) offerings from Communications Service Providers (CoSPs).

Intel has launched the new Intel Xeon D-2100 processor, a system-on-chip (SoC) processor designed to address the needs of edge applications and other data center or network applications constrained by space and power.

Network operators and cloud service providers must continuously scale performance and capacity without increasing power consumption. The Intel Xeon D-2100 processor extends the groundbreaking performance and innovation of the Intel Xeon Scalable platform beyond the data center core to the network edge and web tier.

“To capture 5G and new cloud and network opportunities, service providers must optimize their data center and edge infrastructure to meet the growing demands of bandwidth-hungry end users and smart, connected devices,” said Sandra Rivera, senior vice president and general manager of the Network Platforms Group at Intel. “The Intel Xeon D-2100 processor allows service providers and enterprises to deliver maximum compute intelligence at the edge and web tier while consuming minimal power.”

The Intel Xeon D-2100 processor delivers enhanced performance and hardware-enhanced security features at the network edge, addressing the growing need for compute, analytics, and data protection closer to endpoint devices. In other words, the Intel Xeon D-2100 processor enables communications service providers (CoSPs) to deliver multi-access edge computing (MEC).

This allows software applications to leverage real-time information about local content and local access network conditions to reduce congestion in the mobile core network. This could enable use cases ranging from 5G connected cars to smart stadiums, retail, and even healthcare solutions.

Additionally, this product enables telecommunications service providers to provide networking services optimized for high-capacity workloads with low power and improved performance on vCPE (Virtualized Customer Premises Equipment), such as VPN and encryption services.

The Intel Xeon D-2100 processor features up to 18 Skylake server generation Intel Xeon processor cores and integrated Intel QuickAssist Technology, providing up to 100 Gbps of built-in encryption, decryption, and cryptographic acceleration. In addition to these enhanced data protection features, the product supports system software updates to help protect customers from security vulnerabilities such as Spectre and Meltdown.