Fact Sheet
Intel On Demand
What is Intel On Demand?
Intel® On Demand (formerly referred to as software-defined silicon, SDSi) is a new service being
introduced with 4th Gen Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors. On Demand can be used to expand
and/or upgrade accelerators and hardware-enhanced features available on most 4th Gen Xeon
processor SKUs. Supported features include Intel® Dynamic Load Balancer, Intel® Data
Streaming Accelerator, Intel® In-Memory Analytics Accelerator, Intel® Quick Assist Technology
and Intel® Software Guard Extensions.
How Does On Demand work?
On Demand is a service primarily managed by Intel and hardware providers. The infrastructure
consists of an API for license ordering and a software agent for license provisioning and activation
of the CPU features. Depending on the hardware provider, an end customer will have the option of
opting in to buy On Demand features at time of purchase (i.e., licensing is activated during
manufacturing) or post-purchase as an upgrade (i.e., licensing is requested and activated
remotely). Intel has referred to this adoption model as “activation.” Alternatively, Intel is working
with a few partners to implement a metering adoption model in which On Demand features can be
turned on and off when needed and payment is based on usage versus a one-time licensing. Intel
has referred to this adoption model as “consumption.”
What are the Customer Benefits of On Demand?
Intel has heard from end customers that want to shift from capex to opex and better align
compute delivery with demand and budget constraints. End customers want access to new
features and capabilities when they need them. With the introduction of the activation model with
4th Gen Xeon processors, On Demand will give end customers the flexibility to choose fully
featured premium SKUs or the opportunity to add features at any time throughout the lifecycle of
the Xeon processor. Intel believes the flexible nature of On Demand will become more valuable to
customers as the number of workloads and the amount of third-party enterprise software using
accelerators grows and becomes more pervasive as solution providers begin enabling these
capabilities in their system and service offerings.
What Should End Customers Do Next?
Customers can buy 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors with built-in accelerators from their
provider. Customers looking to upgrade or learn more about how On Demand will be offered
should work with their provider or Intel representative. On Demand pricing will vary by the license
model, one-time or periodic usage fees. Initial providers of On Demand include H3C, Inspur,
Lenovo, Supermicro and Variscale. Intel continues to work with additional providers on their
enablement plans for On Demand.
About Intel
Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) is an industry leader, creating world-changing technology that enables global progress and enriches
lives. Inspired by Moore’s Law, we continuously work to advance the design and manufacturing of semiconductors to help
Fact Sheet
address our customers’ greatest challenges. By embedding intelligence in the cloud, network, edge and every kind of
computing device, we unleash the potential of data to transform business and society for the better. To learn more about
Intel’s innovations, go to newsroom.intel.com and intel.com.
Performance varies by use, configuration and other factors. Learn more at intel.com/performanceindex.
Performance results are based on testing as of dates shown in configurations and may not reflect all publicly available
updates. See backup for configuration details. No product or component can be absolutely secure.
Your costs and results may vary.
Intel technologies may require enabled hardware, software or service activation.
Intel does not control or audit third-party data. You should consult other sources to evaluate accuracy.
© Intel Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo, and other Intel marks are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other
names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Intel contributes to the development of benchmarks by
participating in, sponsoring, and/or contributing technical support to various benchmarking groups, including the
BenchmarkXPRT Development Community administered by Principled Technologies.
