IBM unveils new eServer
Stacy Simpson
Media Relations
IBM Corporation
Route 100, Somers, NY 10589
Ph: 914-766-4123 (t/l: 826-4123)
E: stacysim@us.ibm.com
NEW IBM eSERVER OUTPERFORMS SUN MACHINE BY 84 PERCENT
With Superior Self-Management Capabilities, Blazing Performance and
Mainframe-Inspired Availability Features, IBM eServer p630 Targets Sun
Microsystems Stronghold
ARMONK, NEW YORK, June 25, 2002 -- -- IBM today re-energized the $7.8
billion[][] Market size according to IDC Quarterly Server Forecast, June
2002. IDC defines "entry" server as systems with a maximum of 4
processors. entry UNIX(R) server space with the introduction of a
POWER4-based eServer that offers 84 percent[][] Based on SPECweb99_SSL
results for 4-way IBM p630 and 4-way Sun V480. IBM result submitted to SPEC
June 24, 2002. Sun result from a Sun press release dated June 18, 2002
available at www.sun.com. See www.spec.org for more information about the
SPECweb99_SSL benchmark. greater performance than Sun's just announced
V480. An entry-level version of IBM's groundbreaking IBM eServer p690, the
IBM eServer p630 targets the heart of Sun Microsytems' product lineup --
the up-to-four-processor UNIX server segment that provided Sun with 37
percent of its total revenue in 2001, according to industry analyst IDC[][]
According to IDC Quarterly Server Tracker 1Q02..
IBM is already building momentum in the sale of entry UNIX servers, gaining
1.8 points of share in the first quarter year to year while Sun's share for
the same period plummeted 7.5 points, according to IDC[][] According to
IDC Quarterly Server Tracker 1Q02..
The IBM eServer p630 is designed to run Linux(R) and the AIX 5L(tm)
operating system. IBM plans to introduce dynamic LPAR capability in the
fourth quarter, enabling customers to divide the machine into up to four
"virtual" servers. These systems, which can be as small as a single
processor, can dynamically change in size to accommodate shifting
workloads. Sun's V480, by contrast, cannot be subdivided.[][] All
statements regarding IBM's future direction and intent are subject to
change or withdrawal without notice, and represent goals and objectives
only.
The IBM eServer p630 provides a broad spectrum of companies with an
affordable server that offers performance and reliability features
previously available only to high end customers. By including big system
functionality in an entry system, the p630 enables companies to deploy
small, but critical applications on an optimally-sized machine. This can
result in significant savings, particularly when software and middleware
such as databases are part of the solution.
"In developing the IBM eServer p630, we leveraged the exceptional
capabilities of the award-winning IBM eServer p690 and p670, which have a
strong history of beating the competition on both price and performance,"
said Val Rahmani, general manager, IBM eServer. "Equipped with POWER4
processors and extensive high-availability features, p630 has what it takes
to provide customers with a competitive edge."
The flexible p630 is ideal for enterprise resource planning, file and
print, Web serving, and test and development applications. In addition to
commercial and ebusiness applications, the floating point power, memory
capacity and internal storage of the IBM eServer p630 make it an excellent
choice for High Performance Computing and scientific and technical
environments.
When comparing the IBM eServer p630 to the Sun V480, its superiority in
performance, reliability, serviceability, and availability features is
clear:
|-------------------------------------+------------------------+-------------------|
| | IBM eServer p630 | Sun V480[][] |
| | | Information about |
| | | Sun products was |
| | | obtained from |
| | | www.sun.com as of |
| | | June 24, 2002. |
|-------------------------------------+------------------------+-------------------|
| Web Performance (SPECweb99_SSL) | 1,050| 568|
|-------------------------------------+------------------------+-------------------|
| Processor Speed | 1.0 GHz | 900 MHz |
|-------------------------------------+------------------------+-------------------|
| Copper/Silicon-on-Insulator | Yes | No |
| Processors | | |
|-------------------------------------+------------------------+-------------------|
| Dynamic LPAR (split system into | Planned 4Q02 | No |
| virtual servers) | | |
|-------------------------------------+------------------------+-------------------|
| Chipkill(tm) Memory (for superior | Yes | No |
| reliability) | | |
|-------------------------------------+------------------------+-------------------|
| Dynamic Processor Deallocation | Yes | No |
| (automatically take processors on | | |
| and off line) | | |
|-------------------------------------+------------------------+-------------------|
| First Failure Data Capture (track | Yes | No |
| problems to the source) | | |
|-------------------------------------+------------------------+-------------------|
| Native Linux Support | Expected 3Q02 [][] IBM| No |
| | anticipates that | |
| | support for the IBM | |
| | eServer p630 will be | |
| | available from one or | |
| | more Linux distributors| |
| | in the third quarter of| |
| | 2002. | |
|-------------------------------------+------------------------+-------------------|
| Linux in a Partition | Planned 4Q02 | No |
|-------------------------------------+------------------------+-------------------|
The IBM eServer p630 is the fastest four-way Web secure server, according
to the rigorous SPECweb99_SSL benchmark. The SPECweb99_SSL measures a
server's ability to support a given number of secure Web users while
maintaining certain performance requirements. The p630 supported 1,050
simultaneous connections, far outpacing the 568 simultaneous connections
achieved by the four-way Sun V480.
The p630's rich feature-set coupled with its low price underscores IBM's
ongoing commitment to leverage industry-leading, IBM-developed technology
throughout the entire eServer product line.
Key Features:
Four Virtual Servers -- In the fourth quarter 2002, IBM plans to add
Dynamic Logical Partitioning (LPAR), which will enable the IBM eServer p630
to be operated as a single large server or divided into as many as four
"virtual" servers, running AIX 5L or Linux in one or multiple partitions.
Customers will be able to dynamically reconfiguure the partitions without
an interruption in service. The ability to create virtual servers with as
few as one processor enables a more efficient use of resources including
processors, memory and I/O. By contrast, the Sun V480 cannot be
partitioned, and the "hard" partitions in Sun's larger enterprise servers
require at least two chips, regardless of workload.
LPAR, because of its ability to separate and rebalance workloads, is
especially beneficial to customers operating independent environments
within one server, such as test and production level applications, as well
as organizations consolidating resources, and customers with high
availability requirements.
Operating System Flexibility -- The IBM eServer p630 is supported by the
industry's most open operating system, AIX 5L. AIX 5L provides a full
64-bit kernel with proven performance, reliability and leading systems
management technologies such as AIX Workload Manager. AIX includes a set
of Linux affinity tools that allow customers to run many popular Linux
applications on the p630, after recompilation, while maintaining the
enterprise features of AIX. Native Linux support for the p630 is
anticipated next quarter.
Server on a Chip -- IBM's POWER4 microprocessor, widely acknowledged to be
at least one generation ahead of competing chips, is the first "server on a
chip," containing two one-gigahertz processors, a high-bandwidth system
switch, a large memory cache and I/O interface. The POWER4 chip has a
unique design that enables the server to conserve energy.
Self-Healing Architecture -- The IBM pSeries 630 is built with technology
from IBM's Project eLiza(tm) initiative, which provides multiple layers of
self-healing technologies designed to guard against and recover from
system failure. A high level of redundancy and self-management helps
maintain a low total cost of ownership by helping lower systems
administration expenses, reduce service calls and downtime.
Room to Grow -- The IBM eServer p630 provides an ideal solution for
customers looking for a low-cost initial investment with excellent growth
options. The p630 is expandable to four processors, 16 GB of memory, four
hot-swappable disks and four hot-plug PCI-X slots.
Easy Access -- To make systems management and service as easy as possible,
the p630 allows front access to major system components and cables. The
system also offers wireless manageability using a hand-held personal
computing device or via cable through a console port.
Small Footprint -- The IBM p630 is a space saver with its two ultra-dense
packaging options. The system is available in both rack-mountable and a
deskside configurations, which offer the same processing power and
scalability options.
The IBM eServer p630 provides businesses with a low cost, high capacity
platform for server consolidation. The server is also highly suitable as a
development platform for ISVs or for high-performance computing
environments, which can take advantage of the excellent floating point
performance of POWER4 architecture/processor/chip.
The IBM eServer p630 is competitively priced at $12,495[][] Based on U.S.
list price for the minimum IBM eServer p630 1-way configuration, effective
June 24, 2002. Reseller prices may vary.. Planned availability for the
pSeries 630 is August 30, 2002[][] Planned worldwide availability for the
IBM eServer p630 is August 30, 2002 (exception: planned availability in
the People's Republic of China is planned for September 27, 2002)..
# # #
The IBM eServer brand consists of the established IBM e-business logo with
the following descriptive term "server'' following it. IBM, the e-business
logo, Project eLiza, Chipkill, AIX, AIX 5L, and pSeries are trademarks of
IBM Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries
licensed exclusively through The Open Group.
Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds.
SPEC, SPECfp2000, and SPECweb99_SSL are a trademarks of Standard
Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC).
All other company, product and service names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
(C) 2002 International Business Machines Corporation, all rights reserved.
