HP ProLiant SL270s ISS Technology Update, Volume 9, Number 6 - Page 6

Meet the Expert-Chris Wanner Chris Wanner is a Signal Integrity (SI) Program lead for the HP BladeSystem c-Class servers. Chris joined Compaq in June 1986 when it had less than 3,000 employees. His current responsibilities include HP BladeSystem architecture and Signal Integrity as well as CPU roadmap performance analysis. According to his manager, Gene Freeman, ―Chris has a broad understanding of the hardware architecture from sheet metal to processors to ASICs [Application-Specific Integrated Circuits]. One of his strengths is his ability to communicate that knowledge to our field engineers and customers.‖ He found inspiration and destiny in the same place Chris grew up in a small Wisconsin town of 4,000 in the 1960s and 70s. His fascination with science and mathematics began in grade school, but his interest in Name: Chris Wanner electrical engineering came from his best friend's dad who worked on the Apollo Title: Senior Architect, Industry space program and the supersonic Concorde aircraft. Chris says, ―His accomplishments inspired me to become an engineer. But he didn't know that I would also be inspired to marry his daughter.‖ Today, Chris and Elizabeth J. Wanner, MD, have two sons: Nicholas (12) and Matthew (15). Standard Servers Years at HP: 24 University/Degree: Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI., BSEE 1982; 'That was fun!' One of the most technically challenging and industry-changing efforts Chris has Southern Methodist University Graduate Studies, Dallas, TX U.S. Patents: 10 been part of was EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture). Compaq gained respect as an innovator in the PC industry in the 1980's. During this time, IBM introduced a proprietary new hardware architecture called MicroChannel Architecture (MCA). MCA didn't catch on because it wasn't backward compatible with existing 8-bit and 16-bit ISA expansion cards. The decision to develop EISA as an open standard, instead of following the proprietary MCA path, was a watershed development for the industry and helped thrust Compaq to the forefront as an industry leader. ―That was fun!‖ says Chris. The importance of SI Chris points out that HP continues to make major signal integrity investments in terms of both people and equipment. Our SI engineers ensure that electronic circuits interconnect reliably at the highest speed possible. We consistently push the envelope on performance with our engineering ability to push data rates higher and sooner than others have in the industry. The signaling rates common in HP servers today were impossible just 10 years ago. We constantly look years ahead to prepare for the next barriers. His ultimate goal Chris works frequently with customers and HP field representatives to solve customers' problems and further their business needs faster and better than the competition. 6