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DAILY NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE GLOBAL GRID COMMUNITY / JUNE 02, 2003: VOL. 2 NO. 22
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Breaking News - Platforms:
IBM Introduces First Pre-Packaged Blade Superclusters
IBM has married two of the most powerful trends in computing -- Linux clusters
and Blade servers -- with the introduction of the first pre-packaged and
tested supercluster that is ultra-dense and incredibly easy to manage.
The new IBM eServer Cluster 1350 combines the dense IBM eServer BladeCenter
with an expanded range of management and storage systems to help customers
reduce the complexity of deploying and managing Linux clusters. Combining open
source software and industry standard hardware, Linux clusters provide
customers access to the power of a supercomputer at a fraction of the price.
"We are leading the competition by offering customers an expanded set of
building blocks for Deep Computing that provide the power behind everything
from petroleum exploration to digital animation," said David Turek, vice
president, IBM Deep Computing. "Customers in all segments, including the very
high-end, are no longer interested in building their own systems. The IBM
eServer Cluster 1350 ensures customers a dependable solution with a short
deployment time." Virtue of Integration
IBM offers the broadest range of pre-tested, factory built configurations
based on industry-leading performance and technology. The eServer Cluster 1350
can be built with any combination of IBM eServer BladeCenter systems, IBM
eServer x335 and eServer x345 systems. Pre-testing and integration ensures
that the systems work effectively together. The cluster can also combine
eServer x345 or eServer x360 storage nodes, as well as an eServer x345
management node, all using Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 3.06
GHz.
IBM's deep skills in developing large systems from a wide range of building
blocks saves customer's time for deployment and creates a reliable IT
environment for the most challenging tasks. Ultra-dense clusters IBM's eServer
BladeCenter delivers twice the density of equivalent 1U servers and reduces
the number of cables required by up to 83 percent. The company's blade
solution packs up to 84 two-way blades per rack versus HP's maximum of 48 2-
way blades per rack. This level of density becomes crucial when customers are
working with large clusters and floor space is at a premium.
Cluster Management and Storage Options
The IBM Cluster Management Software (CSM) was developed specifically to
address needs of cluster customers and automates repetitive tasks and error
detection to enhance problem avoidance and rapid problem resolution. CSM
provides a manageability advantage for dense server clusters as a part of IBM
autonomic computing. CSM for the Cluster 1350 is the Linux version of the same
software the powered IBM's famous Deep Blue chess-playing supercomputer.
The eServer Cluster 1350 supports IBM's TotalStorage FAStT200 and FAStT700
storage. IBM TotalStorage improves asset utilization allowing customers to
treat resources as a single pool, accessing and managing resources by effect
rather than physical location. Virtualization turns isolated islands of
resources into valuable data and increased capacity.
In addition, IBM has integrated an optional fibre switch into the BladeCenter
chassis to further simplify deployment and management of a Storage Area
Network (SAN). Customer Accolades
Arizona's Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) has recently
adopted a 512-node IBM eServer 1350 cluster running Linux to power life
sciences research.
"IBM's pre-tested Linux clusters were ideal for our research on cancer and
other complex genetic diseases," said Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen president and
scientific director. "With the power of this supercomputer, we will be able to
directly address questions unattainable in the computing environments of most
research programs. Working with IBM is allowing us to move more quickly and
efficiently to help solve these complex biomedical problems."
The Supercomputing on demand facility in Poughkeepsie, NY will also take
advantage of the new IBM eServer Cluster 1350.
General availability for the Cluster 1350 with the IBM eServer BladeCenter is
June 6, 2003.
About IBM
IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of
leadership in helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across
IBM and key Business Partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions
and technologies that enable customers, large and small, to take full
advantage of the new era of e-business. For more information about IBM, visit
www.ibm.com.
The IBM eServer brand consists of the established IBM e-business logo with the
following descriptive term "server" following it. The following are either
trademarks or registered of International Business Machines Corporation in the
United States or other countries or both: IBM, the IBM e-business logo. Intel
and Intel Xeon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.
Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. Microsoft and Windows, are trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. All
others are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Statements concerning IBM's future development plans and schedules are made
for planning purposes only, and are subject to change or withdrawal without
notice. All offers subject to availability. IBM reserves the right to alter
product offerings and specifications at any time without notice. IBM is not
responsible for photographic or typographic errors. This publication was
developed for products and services offered in the United States. IBM may not
offer the products, services or features discussed in this document in other
countries. Information is subject to change without notice. Consult your local
IBM representative for information on offerings available in your area.
(1) IBM BladeCenter Servers offer 28 Intel Xeon processors in a 7U space
compared with 14 Intel Xeon processors offered by 7 x335 servers in the same
7U space. For more information on server density visit
www.pc.ibm.com/us/eserver/xseries/.
(2) IBM's BladeCenter can hold up to 84 blades per rack. The HP ProLiant BL20p
holds up to 48 blades per rack. See
www.compaq.com/products/quickspecs/11411_div/11411_div.html for HP rack
information.
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