Intel to help VoIP virtualisation

VoIP virtualisation will be easier on the next range of CPUs from Intel, according to the chip manufacturer.

The new processors will be based on the upcoming Nehalem core architecture and will be aimed at the virtualisation and communications sectors, reports Comms Dealer.

Currently, many IT departments do not want to virtualise VoIP and other critical applications like unified communications because of worries over performance and reliability.

"The vision is that we'd like to see more business critical apps running virtualised," Nehalem chief architect, Ronak Singhal, told the magazine.

"The potential is obviously there and if it can't be I'd like to know what problems there are."

Virtualisation is a process where several operating systems run on a single server.

A server being used for application is idle for a large majority of the time, so when it performs more than one task it can keep energy costs down and improve power efficiency.

Intel has also said that the new CPUs will be better suited to dealing with multimedia, allowing high-definition video conferencing on laptops.