IBM Introduces New Low-Priced POWER5 Server Based on Linux

The powerful new IBM eServer OpenPower 710 provides a Linux OS-based alternative to HP and Sun entry-level UNIX and Linux systems, helping clients to attain greater business productivity and lower costs. Its introduction is significant news, as it provides smaller businesses greater opportunity to access high-performing systems and is ideal for companies in industries such as financial services, life sciences and government.

The IBM eServer OpenPower 710 is a reliable, one- to two-way rack-mount system that supports the Linux operating system as distributed by both Red Hat and SUSE LINUX. The system is tuned for Linux for optimal performance and utilizes high-end features of larger server systems such as IBM's proven 64-bit Power Architecture(TM) technology and optional mainframe-inspired virtualization and Micro-Partitioning(TM) capabilities unique to POWER5 systems. When compared to similar offerings, the OpenPower 710 beats HP and Sun in system performance including:

-- The IBM eServer OpenPower 710 2-way Linpack HPC performance is higher than the performance of both the HP Itanium® 2 rx1620 and rx2620. The only published higher 2-way RISC SMP non-vector performance result was run on the IBM eServer BladeCenter(TM) JS20.

-- The IBM eServer OpenPower 710 2-way SPECompM2001 (peak) performance is higher than the performance of the Sun Opteron V40z. The only higher 2-way SPECompM2001 performance result published was run on the IBM eServer p5 520.

The result is a system that allows clients to support multiple workloads on fewer systems -- making the OpenPower 710 optimal for datacenter consolidation and enterprise-class scale-out growth. Software developers in organizations of any size can also leverage the OpenPower 710 as they develop and run applications on the Linux OS.

"With the addition of the OpenPower 710, IBM extends Linux on POWER(TM) even deeper into the entry-level market where demand is increasing for substantial functionality and benefits of the POWER5 architecture," said Brian Connors, vice president, Linux on POWER, IBM. "OpenPower is a revolutionary option for businesses, particularly in the financial, government and retail industries, who are looking for lower-priced, more powerful Linux OS-tuned alternatives to HP and Sun systems."

IBM plans to make the IBM eServer OpenPower 710 available on February 18, 2005 with 1.65 GHz POWER5 microprocessors. The system will be available in a 1- to 2-way rack with maximum memory of 32GB. The OpenPower 710 supports Novell SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 (SLES 9), and Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 3 (RHEL AS 3). The OpenPower 710 will have a starting price of $3,449 (excluding operating system) and includes a 1.65 GHz processor, one gigabyte (GB) memory, 73GB 10K rpm disk drive, DVD-ROM and three-year, next-business-day warranty.

IBM Unveils New Clustering Technology and Integration of AMD Opteron Processor-Based Blade
IBM announced today that it will further extend the value of the IBM eServer Cluster 1350 by delivering support for the next generation of AMD Opteron processor-based single and dual-core server offerings. These enhancements will provide Cluster 1350 customers access to a broader set of applications that require extreme performance, equipping them with the technology they need to tackle new business challenges.
New computer does Windows 3,000 times faster
The most powerful Windows-based computer in Europe is being installed in Sweden's Umeå University. Nicknamed "Akka", the supercomputer incorporates IBM Power microprocessors, Cell Broadband Engines and Intel processors and is about 3,000 times faster than the average laptop. It is expected to handle some 46 trillion calculations per second, putting it among the top 50 fastest computers in the world.

Roadrunner supercomputer puts research at a new scale
Less than a week after Los Alamos National Laboratory's Roadrunner supercomputer began operating at world-record petaflop/s data-processing speeds, Los Alamos researchers are already using the computer to mimic extremely complex neurological processes.
IBM Debuts New Category of Server for Web 2.0 Computing
IBM introduced today an entirely new category of server uniquely designed to address the technology needs of companies that use Web 2.0-style computing to operate massive data centers with tens of thousands of servers.
IBM Turns on the Water for Energy-Efficient Supercomputer
IBM today introduced a new supercomputer powered by one of the world’s fastest microprocessors and cooled by an innovative water system.
Bringing Second Life To Life: Researchers Create Character With Reasoning Abilities of a Child
Troy, N.Y. – Today’s video games and online virtual worlds give users the freedom to create characters in the digital domain that look and seem more human than ever before. But despite having your hair, your height, and your hazel eyes, your avatar is still little more than just a pretty face.
IBM Rolls Out New Mainframe
IBM today announced the System z10 mainframe to help clients create a new enterprise data center. The system z10 is designed from the ground up to help dramatically increase data center efficiency by significantly improving performance and reducing power, cooling costs, and floor space requirements. It offers unmatched levels of security and automates the management and tracking of IT resources to respond to ever-changing business conditions.
Gamers use PS3s to do biomedical research
It's kind of like SETI@home, but with PS3s instead of PCs and molecules instead of aliens. In the latest volunteer scientist program, called PS3GRID, anyone who owns a Sony PlayStation3 can donate their system´s downtime to compute enzymatic reactions and ion conductivity to help an international team of biomedical researchers.

IBM Introduces New Low-Priced POWER5 Server Based on Linux

Related stories:

News discussion: