Facebook To Use Intel-Powered Servers

Facebook To Use Intel-Powered Servers

Facebook will be using the Intel-powered computer servers in expanding the social network's data center infrastructure.


The "collaboration agreement" between the two companies also has them working together on "technology evaluation, benchmarking, and optimization of software for Intel architecture." Facebook applications are mostly built on open source technologies.



The deal is an expansion of the business relationship already in place between the two companies. The agreement means Intel remains a partner with one of the fastest-growing social networks on the Web. Facebook in April was the 14th largest Internet property with 35.7 million visitors, according to ComScore.



Facebook has chosen Intel's Xeon 5400 series processors for the Web company's current round of new deployments that started this month. Financial terms were not disclosed.



The so-called Web 2.0 companies that deliver services to millions of users over the Internet are a big prize for tech vendors. Such companies, which include eBay, Google, Amazon.com, and Facebook rival MySpace, have huge data centers that need constant maintenance and upgrading.



The initiative aims at building a computing network comprised of six data centers spanning three continents. The idea is to have a large-scale platform for testing all technology -- hardware and software -- related to cloud computing.