Intel Thunderbolt

Intel unveils Thunderbolt data transfer tech

Intel this morning outlined the specifics of its Thunderbolt data connection technology.

Formerly called Light Peak, the current copper-based generation of Thunderbolt boasts 10Gbps data transfer speeds between computers and devices--that is, twice the speed of current USB 3.0 throughput. Future iterations of the specification are expected to move from copper wire to a fiber-optic connection, which Intel has said could one day allow for throughput rates up to 100Gbps.

One of Intel's goals for Thunderbolt is to simplify the various connections going from PCs and connected devices. Thunderbolt can transmit both raw data and audio-video information simultaneously, using existing DisplayPort and PCI-Express data protocols. As each Thunderbolt port has two data transmission channels, the technology is also bidirectional, meaning that it can both transmit and receive data. According to Intel, each port will be able to send and receive data simultaneously, at full 10Gbps bandwidth in both directions.

This diagram illustrates Thunderbolt's simultaneous data and video throughput capability.

(Credit: Intel)

By using the existing DisplayPort and PCI-Express data protocols, Thunderbolt will affect a wide number of peripheral devices, ranging from desktops and laptops, as well as monitors, external hard drives, cell phones, and tablets, among others. Apple's new MacBook Pro, also announced this morning, is the first Thunderbolt-equipped computer. Intel also announced that Aja, Apogee, Avid, Blackmagic, LaCie, Promise, and Western Digital will all have Thunderbolt-based products, although the technology is certain to spread to every major computer and peripheral vendor before long.

Intel will be hosting a formal press conference this morning at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET to announce Thunderbolt and demonstrate Thunderbolt-equipped products. CNET's Josh Lowensohn and Dong Ngo will be live-blogging the event, which you can follow at this link.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20035892-1.html#ixzz1EyGSdPq2

Source: Cnet.Com

Get ready for Windows 7 SP1 - Hits Windows Update on February 22nd

Microsoft has finished work on Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and will begin pushing the update to systems on February 22nd via Windows Update.

Microsoft has today hit the RTM (Release to Manufacturing) stage for both Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 and has started shipping the code to OEMs.

If you are a TechNet or MSDN subscriber you will be able to get your hands on the code from February 16th.

So what’s new:

For Windows 7, SP1 will help keep your PCs well supported by delivering ongoing updates, many of which have been made previously available through Windows Update. It also includes client-side support for RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory which are two new virtualization features enabled in Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. Read more about those updates here from the Windows Server Team.

In my experimenting with the beta and leaked versions of SP1 for Windows 7, there’s no new cool stuff to see, no UI tweaks and no performance boosts. This is primarily a bugfix release that brings together all the patches and updates released so far.

The virtualization features however, are compelling and should help to reduce the system load and increase virtualization density on servers. Good news all round.

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Source: http://www.zdnet.com