Servers can be categorized in number of processors; by application (front-end, back-end, edge); by form factor (blade, rack, tower); by platform (RISC/Unix, Linux, Windows); or by segment (entry-level, midrange, high-end). Each server type needs memory modules with the right combination of density, speed, bandwidth, form factor, and height.
Micron’s broad server memory product offerings provide you all the flexibility to design in the right memory solution without compromises. For blade, rack, and other small-form-factor applications, we have a complete line of MiniDIMMs, VLP Mini-DIMMs, VLP RDIMMs, and SODIMMs. For high-density, high-performance memory required in bandwidth-intensive servers, we have DDR2-533/DDR2-667 RDIMMs and FBDIMMs. For servers that must achieve an economy/density balance, we offer ECC UDIMMs.
And to support this array of memory modules, we have a myriad of simulation models and technical notes that apply to servers and server memory.
Power-Saving Module Solutions for Servers
Energy efficiency is a growing global concern—one that has prompted us to find a way to maximize energy savings at the microchip level. Our Aspen Memory product line is a growing family of power-saving solutions. 
Download the Aspen Memory technology flyer to find out more about our energy-efficient, low-voltage reduced chip count (RCC) modules for servers, or visit Micron’s Data Center Memory-Power Calculator to estimate just how much you could save.
High Performance, Low Profile – VLP DIMMs
Micron's VLP products provide higher performance and operability while taking up substantially less space than traditional DIMMs. Their unique architecture allows for greater airflow, which can help reduce thermal problems. And VLP Mini-RDIMMs are backward-compatible in existing Mini-DIMM sockets, providing immediate benefits without redesign. Learn more on Micron's VLP DIMM and VLP Mini-RDIMM, and VLP SORDIMM pages.
WINHEC Presentation - Flash Memory Technology Direction
Jim Cooke – Director, Applications Engineering
This presentation will provide information about computing system initiatives and features, like Windows Vista™ ReadyBoost™ and Windows ReadyDrive™, that use Flash memory. Attendees will learn about the tradeoffs of different types of Flash memory and why NAND is best suited to meet the performance needs of users. Attendees will also learn about the tradeoffs of various disk caching methods, with a special focus on NAND-based solid-state drives.
Access to this presentation and white paper requires that you are logged in to a micron.com account. If you don't have a micron.com account, please create one—it only takes a few minutes to create and validate the account.
WINHEC Presentation - Main Memory Technology Direction
Kevin Kilbuck – Sr. Marketing Manager
This presentation will provide information about computing system initiatives and features, like Windows Vista™ SuperFetch™, that directly impact main memory performance. Attendees will learn about the amount of DRAM required for optimum computer performance and discover how performance is impacted if less than the recommended amount is used. This presentation will also introduce the newest DRAM technology, DDR3, and detail its performance advantages.
This presentation and whitepaper require that you are logged in to a micron.com account. If you don't have a micron.com account, please create one—it only takes a few minutes to create and validate the account.
Micron's Intel-Validated Fully Buffered DIMMs – No More Compromises
FBDIMMs are the high-speed, high-density system memory solution for servers, workstations, networking equipment, and high-end desktop computers. Before FBDIMMs, designers had to compromise between high speeds and high density. Now they can have both. Learn more; see the FBDIMM product page, or view Kevin Kilbuck's FBDIMM overview presentation: "Unleashing Server Capacity."
Product Selector Tool
Technology
What DRAM interface technology does your server/system design need?:
What is the maximum DRAM data rate that your server/system design needs?:
What is the maximum number of modules per memory channel your server/system design needs?:
What is the maximum module height that your server/system design can accept?:
Solution Finder
Do you need large amounts of memory and more sockets per channel?
Registered DIMMs
RDIMMs are today's mainstream module solution for server applications.
Buffering: RDIMMs buffer the address, control, and clock signals (but not data) via on-board registers and PLLs.
Modules per Channel: For slower DDR data rates, such as DDR-200/266, the memory controller generally drives four modules per channel. With faster DDR data rates (into the DDR2 realm), the number of modules per channel decreases. We project that two modules per channel will be the maximum for DDR2-667 and faster.
Do you need maximum modules per channel, the maximum possible DRAM speed, and fewer controller pins?
Fully buffered DIMMs
FBDIMMs are expected to become the mainstream module solution for server applications as data rates migrate to faster DDR2 and DDR3 speeds.
Buffering: FBDIMMs extend the buffering available with RDIMMs to include buffering of the data signals via an on-board advanced memory buffer (AMB). The AMB also performs a SERDES function: the interface between the memory controller and AMB, as well as between AMBs (daisy chain topology), is a high-speed serial link (similar to PCI express), while the interface between the AMB and DRAM on the module remains a traditional 72-bit-wide DDR2 interface (point-to-point or point-to-two-points).
Controller Pins: FBDIMMs allow more memory modules to be loaded per channel than RDIMMs while using fewer controller pins. In a mid-range server running at DDR2-667 data rate, an FBDIMM implementation provides four times the capacity with 200 fewer controller pins. Even with 200 fewer controller pins, the FBDIMM implementation in this example has double the number of memory channels (4 vs. 2), providing more than double the peak bandwidth.
Is height a consideration in your design?
Very low profile RDIMMs
VLP RDIMMs are a reduced-height version of the RDIMM.
Height: At 18.3mm, VLP modules offer a significant height saving over RDIMMs, which are approximately 30mm tall. The connector and the speed/loading constraints for VLP modules are the same as they are for the taller RDIMMs. VLP RDIMMs are targeted at blades and other 1U server form factors.
Do you want minimal sockets per channel and lower cost?
ECC Unbuffered DIMMs
ECC UDIMMs are typically used in workstations or low-end PC servers, where the limit of the number of modules per channel is not prohibitive (typically two in today's systems).
Buffering: They are unbuffered modules without any buffering of the address, control, clock or data signals. They are typically used in ECC configurations, which means additional DRAM is used on the module to provide the 72-bit data bus width required by the memory controller to perform error checking and correction algorithms.