Dell to launch ARM servers 'at appropriate time'

Dell said that it plans to launch ARM based servers and computing centers for developers, customers and partners.

The move comes as more server makers are looking at ARM architecture for so-called hyperscale data centers, which are used for Web companies and other businesses looking to save power. HP also said it will focus on ARM servers with "Project Moonshot" and AMD bought SeaMicro, an earlier pioneer of the microserver movement.

• Partner with the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC);
• Promote development on ARM servers;
• Deliver ARM-based servers to select customers and partners such as Canonical and Cloudera.

Dell said it has been testing ARM servers internally in 2010. The company added that "demands of our customers" called for more ARM efforts.

Dell Copper specfications.

However, Dell's statement does note that its core market is x86 architecture with Intel as a big partner. For instance, Dell's statement pigeonholes ARM infrastructure to "web front-end and Hadoop environments, where advantages in performance per dollar and performance per watt are critical." Dell also noted that ARM servers are still developing.

In addition, Dell's "Copper" ARM server isn't available, but will bring similar systems to market "at the appropriate time." Dell is staging ARM clusters at its solution centers and TAC so developers can take them for a spin.