Intel's 10-core CPU

Yes, and that’s because it’s a server class chip. Thursday an Intel spokesperson said that its upcoming 10-core “Westmere-EX” Xeon processor will launch during the first half of 2011. The chip apparently will replace Intel’s Nehalem-EX CPU, currently the fastest Intel server processor on the market sporting up to eight cores.

The new Xeons will introduce new security features to the platform, including Advanced Encryption Standard-New Instructions (AES-NI) for faster encryption and decryption of data. The processor itself will be manufactured using 32nm processing technology whereas the current Nehalem-EX was made using the 45nm process, which will lower the processor’s TDP.

It’s clear that Westmere-EX will be targeted at high-end servers–those with up to eight sockets–in data centers maintaining large databases and other applications. Each physical core will run up to two threads, providing servers with the ability to run up to the maximum of 160 threads simultaneously (8 processors with 20 threads each).

Their stock clock speeds range between 1.73 and 2.67GHz, with nearly all models able to turbo boost to higher speeds if the chip is not fully loaded. There will be between 18 and 30MB of cache onboard and multiple QPI links to communicate with RAM and the other processors in the system.

The names are fairly simple: E7-2000 series is a dual-socket processor, E7-4000 for quad-socket systems and E7-8000 for eight-socket systems. TDP for each processor ranges between 95W and 130W.

In addition to the improved design, the new Xeon will be socket-compatible with existing Nehalem-EX chips, making it easy for customers to upgrade server processors. Two-socket systems running on Westmere-EX chips will also support up to 2 TB of memory. Yes, it’ll be your wet dream setup for folding.

An A-Z Index of the Bash command line for Linux.

adduser  Add a user to the system
  addgroup Add a group to the system
  alias    Create an alias •
  apropos  Search Help manual pages (man -k)
  apt-get  Search for and install software packages (Debian/Ubuntu)
  aptitude Search for and install software packages (Debian/Ubuntu)
  aspell   Spell Checker
  awk      Find and Replace text, database sort/validate/index
b
  basename Strip directory and suffix from filenames
  bash     GNU Bourne-Again SHell 
  bc       Arbitrary precision calculator language 
  bg       Send to background
  break    Exit from a loop •
  builtin  Run a shell builtin
  bzip2    Compress or decompress named file(s)
c
  cal      Display a calendar
  case     Conditionally perform a command
  cat      Display the contents of a file
  cd       Change Directory
  cfdisk   Partition table manipulator for Linux
  chgrp    Change group ownership
  chmod    Change access permissions
  chown    Change file owner and group
  chroot   Run a command with a different root directory
  chkconfig System services (runlevel)
  cksum    Print CRC checksum and byte counts
  clear    Clear terminal screen
  cmp      Compare two files
  comm     Compare two sorted files line by line
  command  Run a command - ignoring shell functions •
  continue Resume the next iteration of a loop •
  cp       Copy one or more files to another location
  cron     Daemon to execute scheduled commands
  crontab  Schedule a command to run at a later time
  csplit   Split a file into context-determined pieces
  cut      Divide a file into several parts
d
  date     Display or change the date & time
  dc       Desk Calculator
  dd       Convert and copy a file, write disk headers, boot records
  ddrescue Data recovery tool
  declare  Declare variables and give them attributes •
  df       Display free disk space
  diff     Display the differences between two files
  diff3    Show differences among three files
  dig      DNS lookup
  dir      Briefly list directory contents
  dircolors Colour setup for `ls'
  dirname  Convert a full pathname to just a path
  dirs     Display list of remembered directories
  dmesg    Print kernel & driver messages 
  du       Estimate file space usage
e
  echo     Display message on screen •
  egrep    Search file(s) for lines that match an extended expression
  eject    Eject removable media
  enable   Enable and disable builtin shell commands •
  env      Environment variables
  ethtool  Ethernet card settings
  eval     Evaluate several commands/arguments
  exec     Execute a command
  exit     Exit the shell
  expect   Automate arbitrary applications accessed over a terminal
  expand   Convert tabs to spaces
  export   Set an environment variable
  expr     Evaluate expressions
f
  false    Do nothing, unsuccessfully
  fdformat Low-level format a floppy disk
  fdisk    Partition table manipulator for Linux
  fg       Send job to foreground 
  fgrep    Search file(s) for lines that match a fixed string
  file     Determine file type
  find     Search for files that meet a desired criteria
  fmt      Reformat paragraph text
  fold     Wrap text to fit a specified width.
  for      Expand words, and execute commands
  format   Format disks or tapes
  free     Display memory usage
  fsck     File system consistency check and repair
  ftp      File Transfer Protocol
  function Define Function Macros
  fuser    Identify/kill the process that is accessing a file
g
  gawk     Find and Replace text within file(s)
  getopts  Parse positional parameters
  grep     Search file(s) for lines that match a given pattern
  groups   Print group names a user is in
  gzip     Compress or decompress named file(s)
h
  hash     Remember the full pathname of a name argument
  head     Output the first part of file(s)
  help     Display help for a built-in command •
  history  Command History
  hostname Print or set system name
i
  iconv    Convert the character set of a file
  id       Print user and group id's
  if       Conditionally perform a command
  ifconfig Configure a network interface
  ifdown   Stop a network interface 
  ifup     Start a network interface up
  import   Capture an X server screen and save the image to file
  install  Copy files and set attributes
j
  jobs     List active jobs •
  join     Join lines on a common field
k
  kill     Stop a process from running
  killall  Kill processes by name
l
  less     Display output one screen at a time
  let      Perform arithmetic on shell variables •
  ln       Make links between files
  local    Create variables •
  locate   Find files
  logname  Print current login name
  logout   Exit a login shell •
  look     Display lines beginning with a given string
  lpc      Line printer control program
  lpr      Off line print
  lprint   Print a file
  lprintd  Abort a print job
  lprintq  List the print queue
  lprm     Remove jobs from the print queue
  ls       List information about file(s)
  lsof     List open files
m
  make     Recompile a group of programs
  man      Help manual
  mkdir    Create new folder(s)
  mkfifo   Make FIFOs (named pipes)
  mkisofs  Create an hybrid ISO9660/JOLIET/HFS filesystem
  mknod    Make block or character special files
  more     Display output one screen at a time
  mount    Mount a file system
  mtools   Manipulate MS-DOS files
  mtr      Network diagnostics (traceroute/ping)
  mv       Move or rename files or directories
  mmv      Mass Move and rename (files)
n
  netstat  Networking information
  nice     Set the priority of a command or job
  nl       Number lines and write files
  nohup    Run a command immune to hangups
  notify-send  Send desktop notifications
  nslookup Query Internet name servers interactively
o
  open     Open a file in its default application
  op       Operator access 
p
  passwd   Modify a user password
  paste    Merge lines of files
  pathchk  Check file name portability
  ping     Test a network connection
  pkill    Stop processes from running
  popd     Restore the previous value of the current directory
  pr       Prepare files for printing
  printcap Printer capability database
  printenv Print environment variables
  printf   Format and print data •
  ps       Process status
  pushd    Save and then change the current directory
  pwd      Print Working Directory
q
  quota    Display disk usage and limits
  quotacheck Scan a file system for disk usage
  quotactl Set disk quotas
r
  ram      ram disk device
  rcp      Copy files between two machines
  read     Read a line from standard input •
  readarray Read from stdin into an array variable •
  readonly Mark variables/functions as readonly
  reboot   Reboot the system
  rename   Rename files
  renice   Alter priority of running processes 
  remsync  Synchronize remote files via email
  return   Exit a shell function
  rev      Reverse lines of a file
  rm       Remove files
  rmdir    Remove folder(s)
  rsync    Remote file copy (Synchronize file trees)
s
  screen   Multiplex terminal, run remote shells via ssh
  scp      Secure copy (remote file copy)
  sdiff    Merge two files interactively
  sed      Stream Editor
  select   Accept keyboard input
  seq      Print numeric sequences
  set      Manipulate shell variables and functions
  sftp     Secure File Transfer Program
  shift    Shift positional parameters
  shopt    Shell Options
  shutdown Shutdown or restart linux
  sleep    Delay for a specified time
  slocate  Find files
  sort     Sort text files
  source   Run commands from a file `.'
  split    Split a file into fixed-size pieces
  ssh      Secure Shell client (remote login program)
  strace   Trace system calls and signals
  su       Substitute user identity
  sudo     Execute a command as another user
  sum      Print a checksum for a file
  suspend  Suspend execution of this shell •
  symlink  Make a new name for a file
  sync     Synchronize data on disk with memory
t
  tail     Output the last part of files
  tar      Tape ARchiver
  tee      Redirect output to multiple files
  test     Evaluate a conditional expression
  time     Measure Program running time
  times    User and system times
  touch    Change file timestamps
  top      List processes running on the system
  traceroute Trace Route to Host
  trap     Run a command when a signal is set(bourne)
  tr       Translate, squeeze, and/or delete characters
  true     Do nothing, successfully
  tsort    Topological sort
  tty      Print filename of terminal on stdin
  type     Describe a command •
u
  ulimit   Limit user resources •
  umask    Users file creation mask
  umount   Unmount a device
  unalias  Remove an alias •
  uname    Print system information
  unexpand Convert spaces to tabs
  uniq     Uniquify files
  units    Convert units from one scale to another
  unset    Remove variable or function names
  unshar   Unpack shell archive scripts
  until    Execute commands (until error)
  useradd  Create new user account
  usermod  Modify user account
  users    List users currently logged in
  uuencode Encode a binary file 
  uudecode Decode a file created by uuencode
v
  v        Verbosely list directory contents (`ls -l -b')
  vdir     Verbosely list directory contents (`ls -l -b')
  vi       Text Editor
  vmstat   Report virtual memory statistics
w
  watch    Execute/display a program periodically
  wc       Print byte, word, and line counts
  whereis  Search the user's $path, man pages and source files for a program
  which    Search the user's $path for a program file
  while    Execute commands
  who      Print all usernames currently logged in
  whoami   Print the current user id and name (`id -un')
  Wget     Retrieve web pages or files via HTTP, HTTPS or FTP
  write    Send a message to another user 
x
  xargs    Execute utility, passing constructed argument list(s)
  xdg-open Open a file or URL in the user's preferred application.
  yes      Print a string until interrupted
  .        Run a command script in the current shell
  ###      Comment / Remark

Commands marked • are bash built-ins, these are available under all shells.
More bash commands: Linux Command Directory from O'Reilly

Cisco Releases Security Specialist Certification In India

Cisco has introduced new Security Specialist certifications to recognize individuals who have attained competencies in network security skills that align with evolving job roles, technologies and business requirements.

The Cisco Security certification portfolio now supports six key technologies with certifications for these Security Specialists including Cisco IPS Specialist, Cisco NAC Specialist, Cisco ASA Specialist, and the new Cisco IOS Security Specialist, Cisco Firewall Security Specialist and Cisco VPN Security Specialist

The Cisco IOS Security Specialist certification recognizes security professionals who demonstrate the hands-on knowledge and skills that are required to secure networks, using Cisco IOS Security features embedded in the latest Cisco routers and switches as well as the widely deployed Cisco security appliances.

The Cisco VPN Security Specialist certification recognizes security professionals with the skills and knowledge to configure, maintain, troubleshoot and support various VPN solutions, using Cisco IOS Software and the robust Cisco ASA adaptive security appliance.

The Cisco Security certification portfolio now supports six key technologies with certifications for these Security Specialists including Cisco IPS Specialist, Cisco NAC Specialist, Cisco ASA Specialist, and the new Cisco IOS Security Specialist, Cisco Firewall Security Specialist and Cisco VPN Security Specialist.

The combination of new security threats, regulatory compliance mandates, and the need to protect customer and organizational data has driven the demand for a more efficient use of network security technologies within architectures such as Smart+Connected Communities. The increasing complexity of network security responsibilities with mobility, social networking, voice, video, virtualization, cloud computing and physical safety and security requirements is driving greater specialization and advanced skills on the products that facilitate these solutions, including virtual private networks, firewalls, authentication and intrusion prevention.

Recently, Cisco enhanced its Security portfolio with the introduction of the CCNP Security career certification program, which specifically addresses the growing demand for network security engineers. Cisco Security Specialist certifications complement these industry-recognized security career certifications by focusing on skills assessment for critical product and technology areas.

Password Vault

We often hear reports of security experts telling us not to use one single username and password for all our online accounts, but these days there’s so many websites that requires us to login, and thousands (or millions?) of bulletin boards, besides those common ones like Facebook and Twitter. Luckily you can link your Blogspot and Blogger account with your Google account and YouTube, but not the other millions of websites.

It’s already very tough to remember a single password if we were to add alphabets with numbers and symbols and even CAPS, what’s more to say we need to remember five different combination, or more. Also, let’s spread that even more too to personal and official accounts. That’s why products like this Password Vault are sometime very crucial for those that lack memory in the brain.

Online store Hammacher has already started selling the Password Vault that safeguards your account information for website addresses, usernames, passwords, and ATM PINs, and everything else, and stores them for immediate retrieval. Unlike password information stored on a computer, your passwords are safely stored offline in the vault’s memory; ensuring sensitive information can never be compromised, until you lost it on the cab and got picked up by a hacker of course.

Anyway, the gadget can store up to 400 account records, eliminating the risky practice of leaving passwords on notes under keyboards or using one password for all accounts. The Password Vault hides all of your secret information behind its own password, which you could also quite easily forget. In case the device is misplaced, lost, or stolen, five unsuccessful attempts to access your accounts will lock the device for 30 minutes. You can also reset the device to erase all of your secret data. The Password Vault retails for just $49.95 each.

Intel Photonics Link: Intel Achieved Lightning Speed of 50 Gbps Data Transfer

Silicon Photonics Research
Silicon photonics is a research effort at Intel to revolutionize computing platforms by creating optical communication devices using traditional silicon manufacturing techniques. Bringing optical technology into the computing industry will transform the way computers work and the value that they provide to people. Research Milestone: 50G Silicon Photonics Link Intel Labs has announced an important advance in the quest to use lasers to replace the use of electrons to carry data in and around PCs and servers – a 50Gbps Silicon Photonics Link. This research prototype represents the world’s first silicon-based optical data connection with integrated lasers. This concept vehicle is the result of a multi-year silicon photonics research agenda, which included numerous “world firsts.” It is composed of a silicon transmitter and a receiver chip, each integrating all the necessary building blocks from previous Intel breakthroughs including the first Hybrid Silicon Laser (see below) as well as high-speed optical modulators and photodetectors announced in 2007.  The transmitter chip is composed of four such lasers, whose light beams each travel into an optical modulator that encodes data onto them at 12.5Gbps. The four beams are then combined and output to a single optical fiber for a total data rate of 50Gbps. At the other end of the link, the receiver chip separates the four optical beams and directs them into photo detectors, which convert data back into electrical signals. Both chips are assembled using low-cost manufacturing techniques familiar to the semiconductor industry. For more information, read the 50G Silicon Photonics Link whitepaper or download the technical paper presented at the Integrated Photonics Research conference.   Building Block Research In order to "siliconize" photonics, there are six main areas or building blocks for investigation. These include generating the light, selectively guiding and transporting it within the silicon, encoding light, detecting light, packaging the devices and finally, intelligently controlling all of these photonic functions. Intel is working to address these areas, and this research has produced a few recent success stories, including the Hybrid Silicon Laser as well as modulators and detectors running at up to 40 Gbps. Explanatory and demo video of Photonics Link:

Sony Unveils NGP: Next Generation Portable Console System

Recently in Tokyo, Sony unveiled its latest creation, a Next Generation Portable entertainment system, it’s a big brother of PlayStation Portable(PSP) with all the new tech advancements like capacitive multi-touchscreen, dual analog sticks, dual cameras etc. This is a major breakthrough in the portable entertainment, the hardware specifications of NGP fits nicely into the well crafted design as well, and I’m sure fans will approve it for the PSP2 title. Read on for the full NGP specs, release date and price details.

PSP2 Hardware Specs (Codenamed NGP), Official name yet to be decided.

• 5 inch OLED Display, Resolution 960 x 544
• CPU: ARM Cortex A9 Quad core
• GPU SGX543MP4+
• Multi-touch support, Multi-touch at rear. Type: Capacitive
• Dual Analog Sticks(Finally, Thank you Sony)
• Dual Cameras, Front and Back
• Triple motion sensors, Gyroscope, Accelerometer and Digital Compass
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and 3G
• GPS
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
• Microphone
• Stereo Speakers
• PSN Access
• PSP and PSN title support

PSP2 Release Date

Q4, 2011, Exact release date unavailable.

PSP2 Price

PSP2 price is unavailable at this time. We predict it to be somewhere around $250.

Ferrari FF GT Sports Car Unveiled Ahead of Geneva

Italian supercar manufacturer Ferrari has just released initial details and images of the 612’s successor, the FF.

Set to make its world public debut at the forthcoming auto show in Geneva this March, the all-new Ferrari FF was designed by Pininfarina, showing an entirely new GT sports car concept.

The FF is an acronym for Ferrari Four, which means it is the company’s most powerful four-seat ever, as well as its first ever four-wheel drive car.

The company’s first-ever four-wheel drive, 4RM, weighs 50 per cent less than a conventional system and with 53 per cent weight over the rear axle.

The 6.3 V12 (6262cc) develops 651 horsepower and 504 lb ft of torque. The powerplant is good for 335kph and a swift 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds.

The FF is also equipped with the latest magnetorheological damping system and the most recent development in carbon ceramic brakes from Brembo.

Ferrari’s latest GT sports car will be available in six model-specific exterior colors and an interior trim incorporating specially selected and treated aniline leather.

Ferrari has revealed little else at this stage, nor has it offered any interior photos, but more details are expected to be revealed soon.

Source: Autoevolution