IBM says it will begin to sell RS/6000s fitted with ccNUMA technologies from its Sequent Computer Systems Inc acquisition in 2001. In addition to the S80, B50 Pizzazz thin server, Power3 Nighthawk SP node and T70 server hardware, IBM also introduced a new low-end storage subsystem code-named Oyster targeted for by ISPs and ASPs in conjunction with RS/6000s. The SCSI-based IBM 2104 expandable storage plus models DL1 and TL1. A 32U 19 rack can hold nine DL1 drawers; TL1 is a tower configuration. They accommodate from 364Gb to 3.2Tb data. Prices go from $4,725 to $32,735 from October.
IBM is working with Cygnus Solutions Inc to create a way of recompiling and running Linux applications on the new AIX 4.3.3 by the middle of next year. It will work better than the lxrun mechanism provided on Sun Solaris and SCO UnixWare which provide the same functionality, according to IBM general manager Unix Rajiv Samant. It will be available as an open source, free download. Most of the features of the AIX-based Monterey operating systems being created for IA-64 with additions from Sequent and Santa Cruz Operation Unixes will be incorporated back into the Power/PowerPC-based AIX, IBM says, and the APIs will be the same. Meantime, IBM is waiting for other converts to the Monterey OEM camp. Dell Computer heads IBM’s list of possibles. Dell is still publicly undecided on its long-term Unix strategy and is reported to be still making up its mind. Silicon Graphics, Data General and Hitachi are also blowing in the wind according to IBM’s list. The Monterey camp also hopes to poach more of Sun’s Solaris x86 supporters who include NCR, Siemens, Toshiba and Fujitsu. IBM claims Compaq, Unisys, Sequent, Bull, ICL, Acer, Motorola and Samsung as Monterey supporters.
