BIOS: Technology Means Business

IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced today that it is enhancing its line of x86 servers with the introduction of four, quad-core IBM systems and a new blade utilising the quad-core Intel Xeon 5300 processor.

System x servers provide a whole new level of value for clients, delivering three to four times performance of systems that IBM offered less than 12 months ago, enhanced systems management capabilities, expanded memory and I/O.

When combined with the built-in virtualisation and power management from IBM, these new systems enable clients to consolidate applications onto fewer, more powerful servers and keep control over energy spending in the datacenter.

“The introduction of quad-core processors to the industry further drives the need for innovative server designs so that clients can take full advantage of the new capability, and at the same time it’s also accelerating the need for clients to virtualise their infrastructure to simplify and get the most out of these systems,” said Jim Gargan, vice president and business line executive, IBM System x. “With our strong portfolio of knowledge, products and tools, IBM is uniquely positioned to help clients realise the power of quad-core processors so they can do more with less.”

IBM’s x3650 packs up to 33 per cent more memory and I/O than Dell’s PowerEdge 2950, which reduces communication bottlenecks and optimises performance. Together, memory and I/O keep each processor fed with data so that compute workloads can be executed at top speeds on all four cores. The SPECint_rate benchmark comparing System x3650 with the quad core processors to the System x3650 with dual core processors reported a 64 per cent performance improvement by the system with quad core processors.

To leverage the new performance capability of multicore servers, many customers will move to virtualisation solutions to run multiple applications per server. The new System x servers support virtualisation solutions such as VMWare, and come with virtualisation sizing tools to make it even easier for clients to deploy virtualisation in their environment. With the integration of IBM Virtualization Manager into new IBM Director 5.2, IBM enables clients to manage from a single console both physical and virtual machines for VMware, Microsoft Virtual Server, and Xen environments on IBM System x and BladeCenter..

IBM Director 5.2 systems management software also features easy express installation for small and medium businesses, better firmware and driver management. IBM PowerExecutive, one of the first solutions in the industry that provides customers with the intelligence needed to effectively manage power consumption in the datacenter, is also available on Systems x3650, x3550 and BladeCenter HS21 introduced today, at no extra charge and available by download for customers.

Clients can order quad-core systems beginning Tuesday, November 14, with volume shipping expected to begin in December for the system x3550 and x3650, and in January for the x3400, x3500 and the BladeCenter HS21. Prices start from $1839.

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