Rock (processor)
The Rock processor was a high-end, multi-core processor developed by Sun Microsystems, intended for use in server systems. It was notable for its aggressive out-of-order execution design and focus on throughput computing.
Architecture and Design:
Rock was based on a chip multi-threading (CMT) architecture, featuring multiple processor cores on a single die. Each core was designed to execute multiple threads concurrently. Its architecture incorporated speculative multi-threading and transactional memory features to improve parallel performance and simplify software development. The design emphasized handling a large number of concurrent requests, optimizing for throughput rather than single-threaded performance.
History:
Development of the Rock processor began in the early 2000s, and it was positioned as a successor to the UltraSPARC line of processors. Sun Microsystems invested significant resources in its development. However, due to various factors, including delays and performance concerns, the project was ultimately cancelled by Oracle Corporation after its acquisition of Sun in 2010.
Key Features (Intended):
- Multi-core architecture: Designed with numerous cores for parallel processing.
- Chip Multi-Threading (CMT): Each core supported multiple hardware threads.
- Out-of-Order Execution: Cores were designed to execute instructions out of order to maximize efficiency.
- Speculative Multi-Threading: Supported speculative execution of threads.
- Transactional Memory: Features to simplify parallel programming.
- High Throughput: Optimized for handling a large volume of concurrent transactions.
Impact:
Although the Rock processor never reached the market, its development contributed to research and advancements in multi-core processor design and parallel computing techniques. Some of its architectural concepts influenced subsequent processor designs. The cancellation of the project marked a significant shift in Oracle's server hardware strategy.