IBM Introduces New 4-Way Netfinity Servers That Bring Super Server Features to Industry Standard Computing

Business Wire, March 14, 2000

Business & Technology Editors

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2000

Innovations Extend Netfinity Enterprise SAN Architecture,

Increase Storage Capabilities

IBM today announced two new Netfinity(R) 4-way servers built for Windows(R) 2000 which leverage IBM's X-architecture Super Server technologies. The Netfinity 7100 and Netfinity 7600 servers were designed in IBM's ease-of-use labs and offer benefits such as cableless connections and a one-of-a-kind screwless design that enable customers to remove the entire processor I/O complex in seconds.

IBM also is extending its enterprise storage area network (SAN) architecture for Netfinity with new third-generation, high-performance, fibre-based storage solutions that increase redundancy and provide a fourfold increase in Netfinity storage capabilities.

In addition, IBM is announcing three new server refreshes including the award-winning Netfinity 4000R, the industry's most rack dense node for ISPs and ASPs.

Mission Critical Features/Netfinity Innovations

IBM continues to tap into high-end technologies to accelerate their deployment for the Windows 2000 Intel(R)-based server market. The Netfinity 7100 is the only price performance server in its class providing an upgrade path to mission critical capabilities such as Chipkill memory and Active PCI, which are standard features in the Netfinity 7600.

The servers come with the Advanced System Management Processor, the only dedicated service processor included as a standard feature in a 4-way on the market today. The processor monitors vital system components, providing Predictive Failure Analysis for near zero downtime. It also provides both in-band and out-of-band management capabilities, meaning the user retains control of the system even if its down. The processor is based on the same technology designed and used by IBM's Super servers.

"As our e-business matures, we rely on the line of Netfinity servers to handle applications ranging from customer order management to personalization," said Jamie Tiampo, technology development manager, PlanetRx.com, a leading Internet healthcare destination for commerce, content, and community. "The new Netfinity 7100 and Netfinity 7600 servers provide several standard features focussed on power and performance, making them extremely attractive for mission-critical applications. E-commerce companies like PlanetRx.com require maximum uptime and reliability from their Intel-based servers, and the Netfinity line delivers. The fault-tolerant nature of Netfinity servers is integral to the success of our business."

Available for Netfinity servers, Chipkill memory provides the most reliable memory subsystem available today and is critical for preventing memory failure when running high availability applications like Enterprise Resource Management and Customer Relationship Management. IBM has moved Chipkill to the memory card on the new servers allowing customers to use industry standard SDRAM, reducing the cost by 50% over current implementation.

Active PCI from IBM is the industry's only PCI with Hot Swap plus Hot Add. With Hot Add, the Netfinity server's operating system automatically recognizes and configures a new network card or raid adapter without requiring customers to shut down the system.

The unique design of the servers allows all components to be accessed and changed without tools in seconds. The ease of use in working with the servers is enhanced with internal cableless connections for all devices.

Other standard mission critical features available for these servers include:

- The Netfinity 5600, a 2-way server ideal for small, medium, and enterprise
customers, gains 733MHz and 800MHz Pentium(R) III processors. This server
offers more high availability function than any other 2-way for mission
critical applications.

- The 2-way Netfinity 4000R, the industry's leading rack-mounted server in the
1U space, is now available worldwide. It also features upgraded 650 and 750 MHz
Pentium III processors.

- The Netfinity 3000, the industry-leading entry-level server is upgraded with
Pentium III 650 and 700 MHz processors and Ultra2 SCSI technology.

- The Netfinity 1000 server will for the first time be available in the U.S.,
offering Netfinity quality and reliability at an even lower price point. This
server is ideal for small businesses and retail point-of-sale applications.

Netfinity Fibre Channel for SAN Solutions

IBM is introducing high-speed Netfinity Fibre Array Storage Technology (FAStT) solutions designed to support the large and growing data storage requirements of business-critical applications. These scalable Netfinity FAStT solutions offer customers data access and protection to meet their existing enterprise storage requirements and the foundation for a SAN as their enterprise storage requirements grow in the future.

- The Netfinity 5600, a 2-way server ideal for small, medium, and enterprise
customers, gains 733MHz and 800MHz Pentium(R) III processors. This server
offers more high availability function than any other 2-way for mission
critical applications.

- The 2-way Netfinity 4000R, the industry's leading rack-mounted server in the
1U space, is now available worldwide. It also features upgraded 650 and 750 MHz
Pentium III processors.

- The Netfinity 3000, the industry-leading entry-level server is upgraded with
Pentium III 650 and 700 MHz processors and Ultra2 SCSI technology.

- The Netfinity 1000 server will for the first time be available in the U.S.,
offering Netfinity quality and reliability at an even lower price point. This
server is ideal for small businesses and retail point-of-sale applications.