AMD RELEASES "PACIFICA" SPECIFICATION FOR AMD64

[Apoptosis]

AMD today announced the general availability of the full specification of its virtualization technology, “Pacifica,” at the LinuxWorld Summit. “Pacifica” is designed to enhance 64-bit client and server virtualization technologies for x86-based servers, workstations, desktops and mobile computers.

NEW YORK - May 25, 2005 - AMD (NYSE:AMD) today announced the general
availability of the full specification of its virtualization technology,
"Pacifica," at the LinuxWorld Summit. "Pacifica" is designed to enhance
64-bit client and server virtualization technologies for x86-based
servers, workstations, desktops and mobile computers.
"The potential benefits of virtualization for businesses of all sizes
and consumers alike are significant. By taking an inclusive approach
and working directly with both customers and hardware and software
partners to develop 'Pacifica,' AMD is leading the rising tide of
industry support for virtualization," said Marty Seyer, corporate vice
president and general manager, Microprocessor Solutions Sector. "We
believe AMD64 provides the most flexible architecture in the industry,
and 'Pacifica' virtualization technology will further that lead by
helping commercial organizations improve the reliability and resilience
of their computing platforms, increase security, and reduce total cost
of ownership of computing resources."
"Pacifica" will extend AMD64 technology with Direct Connect Architecture
to enhance virtualization for clients and servers by introducing a new
model and features into the processor and memory controller. Designed
to enhance and extend traditional software-only based virtualization
approaches, these new features will help reduce complexity and increase
security of new virtualization solutions, while protecting IT
investments through backward compatibility with existing virtualization
software.
"Hardware virtualization in the x86 platform opens the way for a new
class of innovation, making the platform more flexible, more manageable,
and more secure," said Martin Reynolds, Gartner Fellow, Gartner, Inc.
"Both home and business users will benefit from the technology, which
will rapidly proliferate across the entire x86 market. It will
transform the way that we use our PCs, more so than any other technology
this decade."
AMD's continued commitment to providing the industry with superior
technology to enable virtualization solutions is demonstrated through
ongoing relationships with partners including Microsoft, VMware and
XenSource.

"Pacifica" is scheduled to be available in both client and server
processors from AMD in the first half of 2006. Feature enhancements are
also planned for future single-core and dual-core AMD64 processors to
further leverage the performance of 64-bit virtualization software. The
"Pacifica" specification, a technology overview, and guidance to
software developers who are designing virtualization solutions for
64-bit technology, can be found at http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/