Communication : WiFi and TCA
The Communication sector is another important sector for Intel. This sector has seen massive growth within the last few years - this includes VDSl, DSL, and xDSL to the home. With some companies installing fibre right to peoples homes. There has also been a relatively large adoption of WiFi in to the home. The main thing which is holding back the adoption of WiFi is the lack of access point, which is what MESH networking covers. The idea behind the MESH network is the creation of lots of small, cheap, smart access points. The main criteria is that it is smart in the sense that it will reroute data to via another access point - and automatically reboot themselves - this means that it is very low maintenance.
Intel has been working on network processors to fill these needs within the market. They have :
420 - Which has Broadband modem and Ethernet connectivity built in
421 - This has all of the same features as 420 but with WiFi
422 - This carries the same as 421 but with inbuilt security.
All of the network processors are commonly developed with the same tools and applications to help support them - this makes implementation easier and also support easier.
Within the communication and networking market there is a lot of strong competition but with costs so high the market wants the products to be lower price points. This means a movement towards a more modular system with the development of modular IO/Chassis/PSU/etc.
The concept and idea behind TCA is to help to make a standard for the server development sector - within this they mean no need for IHVs to create their own power supplies, chassis, and IO. The core advantage of this is that it keeps down price and helps to bring in a scale of economy to within the server market.
