14 DAY TRIAL // The main reason ARM processors haven't become popular among server builders is the lack of 64-bit support, which will be solved next year or the next.
There is another problem though: ARM chips don't support the many programs that servers use, since they have been tailored for x86 processor from Intel, AMD and VIA.
There isn't much that can be done about this, except create software from scratch.
Fortunately for ARM, there are plenty of people and companies willing to do this.
In fact, Dell has proven particularly proactive in this, having donated an ARM-based server concept to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF), a volunteer community that develops open-source software.
The Calxeda EnergyCore processing modules were used in the making of the system.
"We recognize the market potential for ARM servers, and with our experience and understanding of the market, are enabling developers with systems and access as the ARM server market matures," said Forrest Norrod, vice president and general manager, server solutions, Dell.