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DAILY NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE GLOBAL GRID COMMUNITY / JUNE 16, 2003: VOL. 2 NO. 24

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Breaking News - Platforms:

IBM Debuts New Blade Server

IBM expanded upon its commitment to the telecommunications industry by announcing details for the new IBM eServer BladeCenter T. The eServer BladeCenter T system will extend IBM's existing collaboration with Intel around the IBM eServer BladeCenter product family.

Its deployment will enable IBM to deliver systems that incorporate both the latest Intel-based processors and hardened operating systems such as carrier- grade Linux to meet the needs of the next generation of telecom applications. In addition to meeting the demands of the telecommunications industry, the rugged design of the BladeCenter T will also complement the harsh environments found in several other specialized markets such as aerospace and military field operations.

"With the introduction of the BladeCenter T server, IBM is providing network operators with an easily deployable product that can dramatically decrease operational costs," said Tony Evans, vice president, Telecommunications, IBM Systems Group. "By using a modular architecture, IBM has developed a low cost solution that supports rapid deployment. At the same time, it also meets the rigorous durability required by industries such as telco."

"Intel strongly believes that open architecture computing platforms being adopted by telecom equipment manufacturers and carriers reduce equipment acquisition and operating costs, while benefiting from the increased performance provided by Intel architecture," said Abhi Talwalkar, vice president, Enterprise Platforms Group at Intel. "We are pleased to extend our collaboration with IBM in developing this product line to meet the growing demand for high-density computing platforms to deploy new telecom applications and infrastructure."

The entry of this new class of blade servers coupled with the IBM Service Provider Delivery Environment (SPDE(tm)) framework further reinforces IBM's commitment to open industry and IT standards. SPDE is designed to give wireline and wireless telecommunications service providers the flexibility to introduce new, revenue generating voice, text and Internet services to their customers faster, easier and at a lower cost.

The BladeCenter T systems will be both Network Equipment Building System 3 (NEBS 3) and European Telecommunications Standard Industry (ETSI) certified. This represents the most stringent level of certification for the telecommunications industry. The BladeCenter T system will be hardened to withstand high temperature, violent shaking, lightning strikes, airborne contaminants, fires, and electrostatic discharge. This certification of disaster-ready toughness would make it ideal for wireless/telecommunications applications that require near continuous uptime.

The new IBM eServer BladeCenter T servers will be able to help network equipment providers and solution providers reduce the time and costs associated with developing and deploying next generation network applications for critical workloads such as mobile network infrastructures, softswitches for voice over IP and revenue generating network services. The new server design will incorporate many specialized telecommunications features such as the Telcom Alarm Panel and air input filtering. In addition, the server's shorter chassis depth will allow it to fit in 600mm racks. All of these enhancements to the eServer BladeCenter are designed to increase network reliability, ease system management burden, minimize total cost and easily manage tougher deployment conditions.

The IBM eServer BladeCenter T systems are planned for release next year.

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