ACADEMIA

ARMONK, N.Y.--IBM today announced a new low-end IBM eServer system that offers 110 percent more performance at one-third lower cost than its predecessor,(1) making it an attractive option for small- and medium-sized businesses. Customers can also cluster multiple systems together to perform dynamic and powerful applications for scientific research or data modeling. With this new system IBM now offers customers a complete range of servers from high-end to low-end with POWER4+ technology, resulting in one of the fastest complete rollouts of 64-bit server chip technology in recent history. "IBM is committed to delivering UNIX systems with no compromises on performance or price," said Karl Freund, vice president, IBM eServer pSeries. "Integrating POWER4+ technology into low-end eServer pSeries systems continues our trend of driving down price points while at the same time dramatically increasing performance." IBM is committed to delivering the latest technology to customers. In only six months, IBM redefined the economics for UNIX(R) servers - offering maximum performance at an affordable cost - by integrating POWER4+ microprocessors at the high-end with the introduction of the IBM eServer pSeries(TM) 690 and p670, at the mid-range with the eServer p655 and p650, at the low-end with the p630 and now with the new IBM eServer p615. This new IBM eServer system delivers a high-performing, low-cost, one-or two-processor, entry-level system that does not sacrifice performance, value or features. As with all the POWER4+ servers, IBM offers support for AIX 5L(TM), IBM's UNIX operating system, and Linux, bringing customers wide application support. According to HP, as of last month there are only about 300 applications available today running on Itanium. (2) Available in rack-mounted or deskside versions, the eServer p615 is a powerful and affordable entry-level system ideal for running applications such as enterprise resource planning, supply chain management, customer relationship management and business intelligence at a wide range of organizations -- from small and medium size businesses to divisions of large enterprises. Customers can also cluster multiple systems together to perform dynamic and powerful applications for scientific research or data modeling. Key features of the p615 include: -- IBM's POWER4+ microprocessor. The POWER4+ microprocessor is a "server on a chip" that contains two one-gigahertz-plus processors, a high-bandwidth system switch, a large memory cache and I/O. IBM's POWER family of microprocessors is among the most widely used in the industry and can be found in Nintendo game consoles, Apple computers and some of the world's most powerful supercomputers and storage systems. -- Expanded Internal Storage. Containing over one terabyte of internal disk storage, the p615 has eight times as much disk storage capacity as the Sun V240 (3) (1.17TB versus 144GB) 2.6 times as much disk storage as the HP rx2600 (4) (1.17TB versus 438GB). Ample storage capacity enables customers to run powerful applications without having to buy additional attached storage devices. Six PCI slots allow connectivity to a wide variety of other servers and devices. -- Full Remote Operation. Information technology leaders and system administrators can manage the p615 remotely using a handheld wireless PDA or other wireless devices. The new IBM eServer p615 is planned to be available on May 28, 2003 in a one-way option at a starting price of $5,745.(5) (1) - Performance based on rPerf results of 2.50 for a 1-way pSeries 615 using 1.2 GHz POWER4+ processors and 16GB of memory vs. 1.19 for a 1-way pSeries 610 using 450 MHz POWER3- II processors and 8GB of memory. rPerf (Relative Performance) is an IBM estimate of commercial processing performance. Pricing based on pSeries 615 Express Configuration with 1-way 1.2 GHz POWER4+ processor, 1GB memory and one 36.4GB disk drive at $5,745 vs. pSeries 610 Express Configuration with 1-way 450 MHz POWER3-II processor, 1GB memory, CD-ROM and one 36.4GB disk drive at IBM U.S. list price of $8,895. Both Express Configurations include AIX license and one year of Software Maintenance for AIX Operating Systems (SWMA). Prices are current as of May 27, 2003 and are subject to change without notice. Reseller prices may vary. (2) - HP executive commenting on Itanium application support. Story by Stephen Shankland, CNET, April 16, 2003. http://news.com.com/2100-1006-997127.html (3) - Details on Sun configuration can be found at www.sun.com. Information current as of May 27, 2003. (4) - Details on HP configuration can be found at www.hp.com. Information current as of May 27, 2003. (5) - All prices as of May 27, 2003. Prices are subject to change without notice. Reseller Prices may vary. General availability for a 2 processor configuration is expected on June 20, 2003.