IBM previews latest Netfinity and beyond
Size does matter for IBM's latest ultra-thin Netfinity server, but some resellers are asking where the 'Var Var voom' has gone from their margins.
Size does matter for IBM's latest ultra-thin Netfinity server, but some resellers are asking where the 'Var Var voom' has gone from their margins.
IBM claims that Netfinity 4000R is the thinnest Intel-based server from a systems vendor. The firm says the server is packed with systems software, which has been copied and adapted for the Intel platform from IBM's mid-range AS/400 and RS/6000 platforms.
Big Blue already ships some of its Netfinity machines with systems software adapted from its mid-range machines. This year, it hopes to improve this offering by adding utilities such as software predictive failure technology to keep applications up and running, and hot-swap memory and processor modules to improve scalability. San system management and logical partitioning is also planned for the range.
Tikiri Wanduragala, senior Netfinity consultant at IBM, said: "With the scalability connectors [processor modules], it will change the way people view servers today.
"Hot-swap memory allows you to add memory without having to switch off the power if you are running out of performance for an enterprise resource planning platform, for example."
By introducing the 4000R, IBM hopes the ability to rack-mount its servers will free floor space and appeal to ASPs that pay high premiums to rent offices near an Internet backbone.
The server is also primed to run Linux, which is in demand from IBM ASP customers, said Wanduragala. "In the City, the cubic volume space equivalent to the 4000R is about £3000 per year, so the size does matter."
But IBM has angered resllers by cutting the price of some Netfinity servers, sold direct from its website, by as much as 30 per cent. One unnamed reseller, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that the vendor is undercutting small Vars.
Tony John, UK Netfinity brand manager at IBM, is confident that the channel is satisfied with the vendor's Netfinity pricing move, and asked to be put in touch with any that are not.
Netfinity is scheduled to ship in March.