Data Center at IDF 2015

This week is going to be a great week for all things data center and Intel at IDF2015. Two words: industry innovation.  Technology innovation across the data center is moving at unprecedented pace, and Intel is working with the broader data center community to drive new compute models from the cloud to next gen data analytics and the network that connects us all.  It’s a very exciting time for me personally as IDF2015 offers a unique look at the cutting edge while providing an amazing networking opportunity to catch up with leaders from across the industry.  Here’s a quick glimpse for what’s in store this week.

If visionary insight on the future of computing is on your mind, we start, of course, at the top. Intel CEO, Brian Krzanich will kick IDF2015 off with what will surely be a fantastic keynote discussing the role of computing in shaping our experiences.  To get to the heart Intel’s vision for the data center, I’d recommend two IDF2015 mega sessions on critical topics shaping our industry focus. Intel’s Diane Bryant will be discussing the story data can tell us in her joint mega session with Intel’s IoT lead, Doug Davis. Not enough? Intel’s Sandra Rivera will be discussing 5G Innovation and network transformation with Aicha Evans.

Looking for even more technology insight while you’re at IDF? Don’t miss the chance to learn about implementing Software Define Infrastructure stacks to deliver cloud agility to the data center from Das Kamhout, see the latest on workload acceleration from Al Gara, hear Rob Crooke’s insights on Intel NVM technology, or Pradeep Dubey’s deep dive on machine learning and data analytics. Looking for what for the next great application for analytics? Don’t miss out on Alan Ross’s session improving IT security with analytics. Interested in a topic I haven’t listed? Check out the rich selection of presentation in the IDF schedule to see if we’ve got something for you.

While you’re at IDF it’s not all about lectures and sessions though – You’re there to see technology in action and connect with experts! Be sure to visit the technology showcase where you’ll find demonstrations of the latest data center innovation. While you’re there don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in the Data Center Lock Down – a room escape experience that only Intel could deliver. When you’re done beating puzzles and winning prizes, don’t forget to check out the SDI challenge where you can test your knowledge of software defined infrastructure. Before you head out Tuesday night don’t miss the opportunity to meet technology experts and CTOs in the data center community from 5 to 7 pm.

Here’s a quick run-down on where to find Data Center topics at IDF:

Mega Sessions – Level 3, Keynote Hall

IoT and Big Data Insights: Data Has a Story to Tell with Diane Bryant and Doug Davis – Wednesday, August 19, 9:30-10:30 AM

In today's connected world, every device, every decision and every ambition leaves a unique digital footprint. From smart grids to cars, retail to healthcare, the opportunities to create new experiences and extract breakthrough insights are endless. Join Diane Bryant, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Data Center Group, and Doug Davis, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Internet of Things Group to learn about the technologies, platforms, and tools that will enable your next digital story.

5G: Innovation from Client to Cloud with Sandra Rivera and Aicha Evans – Wednesday, August 19, 11:00-12:00

5G is foundational to global connected compute, and the communications industry is mobilizing now. Device and infrastructure developers must be ready to handle significant challenges in capacity, data rate, latency, and more. This creates exciting new opportunities in device-to-device communication, new network architectures, and intelligence everywhere. Join Sandra Rivera, Vice President, Data Center Group and General Manager, Network Platforms Group, and Aicha Evans, Corp. Vice President, Platform Engineering Group and General Manager, Intel Communication and Devices Group for a glimpse into the next-generation networks, devices, and consumer experiences that will collectively define the mobile industry’s “5G Era.”

Technology Insight Sessions – Level 3, Room 3016

Intel Non-Volatile Memory Inside. The Speed of Possibility Outside – Tuesday, August 18, 5:15-6:15

Join Rob Crooke, Senior VP of the Non-Volatile Memory Solutions Group and Al Fazio, Intel Senior Fellow, as they discuss the latest Non-Volatile Memory Technology. Rapid growth in connected devices and digital services brings an explosion of data that must be stored and analyzed very quickly. The digital world is expected to create up to 44 Zettabytes of data by 2020 and there is tremendous value in quickly turning that enormous amount of data into valuable information.

Workload Acceleration – Tuesday, August 18, 4:00-5:00

Datacenter workloads have become very diverse. Intel provides a portfolio of technologies ranging from processers optimized for energy efficiency, throughput or single thread performance as well as an array of accelerators. This Technology Insight will review the criteria, benefits, and costs of using these technologies for performance gains.  Hear how developers can take advantage of these technologies and the developer tools that Intel provides.

Data Analytics and Machine Learning – Wednesday, August 19, 11:00-12:00

This Technology Insight will demonstrate how to optimize data analytics and machine learning workloads for Intel® Architecture based data center platforms.

Data Center Technical Tracks

Optimizing for Data Center Workloads

As data centers evolve, enabling a highly responsive and high performance infrastructure optimized for workloads becomes increasingly more important. Join this track to learn about how to optimize Intel® Architecture based infrastructure and solutions for data center workloads, from high performance computing to big data analytics to media streaming workloads and more.

Graphics and Visual Computing

Intel continues to enhance the Visual Computing experience with no graphics card required. Join sessions in this track to learn how to take advantage of our next generation graphics microarchitecture to address key user experience needs such as low power optimization, performance gaming, media, visual computing, Ultra HD and display technologies. The information provided, just like Intel® HD Graphics, Intel® Iris™ and Iris Pro graphics products, will scale across platforms from tablets to 2 in 1s to workstations and to servers. The session will include live demos and highlight case studies and results achieved using Intel® tools for workload balancing, performance, and low power tuning.

High Speed I/O Technologies

This track demonstrations how Intel® technologies combine to accelerate end user innovation and scale performance and power as new generations of I/O solutions on Intel® architecture become available. Technology topics include PCI Express*, USB, and Thunderbolt™ Technologies.

Making Software Defined Infrastructure a Reality

The digital service economy is driving the need for new services to be deployed quickly and with much greater responsiveness to business needs. Data centers must evolve and become more intelligent to keep up with growing demands on infrastructure. Software Defined Infrastructure (SDI) is the foundation for a more automated, efficient, and responsive infrastructure, yet developers are grappling with a diversity of existing and emerging tools, technologies, and processes to implement SDI. Attend the session in this track to learn more about harnessing compute, network, storage, and orchestration solutions optimized with Intel® technologies to accelerate the development and deployment of SDI.

Intel® Solid-State Drive Technology

Join the sessions in this track to find out where and why solid-state drives (SSDs) excel. Hear about key considerations when designing SSDs into data centers. This track also explores PCI Express*/NVM Express and the future of SSDs in client and data center applications.

Data Center Communities and Pavilions – First Floor, Technical Showcase

Data Center and Software Defined Infrastructure Community

The data center community showcases the latest Intel technologies and ecosystem solutions that enable more automated, agile, and efficient infrastructure for the digital services economy. At the heart of this transformation is SDI, which allows data center operators to take advantage of dynamic and cost effective resource pools built on industry standard solutions. See the latest technology in action – including storage optimization, network function virtualization, high performance computing, and cloud security. Intel technology experts will be on hand to discuss these and many other innovations for the data center of today and tomorrow.

Intel® Network Builders Community

The Intel® Network Builders Community showcases key ecosystem partners that are collaborating with Intel to accelerate the adoption and deployment of software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) solutions. The Intel Network Builders ecosystem is helping to drive the network transformation by promoting open standards and interoperability along with highly optimized virtual network functions running on Intel® architecture-based servers.

NVM Express* (NVMe) Community

PCI Express* has emerged as the storage interconnect for performance demanding client and enterprise environments. With NVM Express* products now available, this community demonstrates the availability of these products and the breadth of industry investment driving this technology transition. NVM Express unlocks the potential of current and future NVM PCIe storage, delivering increased performance, while providing support for security, end-to-end data protection, and other Enterprise and Client features users need. Visit the NVM Express community at IDF to see the eco-system momentum around NVM Express Technology.

What if you missed out and can’t make it to IDF this year? Don’t worry. While you might miss some of the fun and the valuable connections, you will get as much data center as we can share this week. Stay tuned to the Data Stack to get more updates from Intel’s experts. Join the conversation on Twitter with #IDF15. And make sure to tune into the Intel Chip Chat live from the show floor on Day 2 and Day 3 of IDF.