KT Introduces Korea’s First AMD Processor-Based IaaS Product

KT Corp. announced that it would soon introduce an AMD processor-based virtual server infrastructure IaaS product. The leading telecommunications company would equip the new cloud product to its cloud service arm, KT Cloud’s D1 platform. Moreover, KT Cloud offers various integrated operational services and ultra-high-performance infrastructures, including virtualization servers, autoscaling, HPCs, and more.

KT also shared that it would be the first South Korean company to launch an AMD processor-based Iaas product. According to KT, the new virtual server infrastructure could generate the same performance level as existing Intel processor-based servers. In particular, KT’s AMD processor-based products showed similar functioning as the Intel Cascade Lake CPU.

Furthermore, KT initially plans to apply its AMD processor-based servers to KT Cloud’s D1 platform. The company optimized the D1 platform to deliver better security and flexibility than general public cloud networks. KT Cloud’s D1 provides stable services thanks to its security devices. Some of these solutions include a firewall, an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), and a Virtual Private Network (VPN). After incorporating the new tech to D1, KT would extend its application to G-Cloud, a public institution cloud network. Then, KT would employ it to F-Cloud, a financial cloud network.

KT also shared that the AMD processor-based server enables corporate customers to access top-level computing resources at reasonable price ranges. To be specific, KT’s new IaaS product costs 80% less than existing servers with similar specifications. Users could also apply KT’s new tech to business fields, including big data analysis, database, middleware, and other general-purpose utilization.

AMD’s Processors

“KT Cloud will continue to be competitive in providing high-quality IaaS products at reasonable prices,” said Lee Mi-Hee, Vice President of the KT Cloud DX Business Division. Lee also stated that the company’s new, competitive AMD-based servers are especially beneficial to customers preparing for large-scale deployment.

Previously, most manufacturers equipped cloud-based servers that performed virtualization functions with processors from Intel Corporation. Although the Intel processors are cost-intensive, they deliver high performance and efficiency. Meanwhile, the semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) expanded its market position by supplying processors with lower prices. Compared to Intel processors, AMD’s products offer better affordability without compromising advanced performance.

Following this development, cloud service providers started applying AMD processors to their virtual servers, offering inexpensive but high-performing products. During the previous years, global cloud service providers such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft have developed virtual servers based on AMD processor technologies. Similarly, in South Korea, the medium-sized cloud service platform SmileServ provides cloud infrastructures and related products patterned to AMD processors.