IBM launches I/O virtualization tool for blade servers

IBM has launched an I/O virtualization tool for its BladeCentre range of servers, the Open Fabric Manager. The tool enables businesses to manage up to 100 separate blade chassis from a single console and allows movement of workloads from one blade server to another by automating the process of assigning I/O addresses.

The company claims that the BladeCenter Open Fabric Manager is compatible with several third-party ethernet and fiber channel technologies and enables managers to shift the workload between as many as 1,400 blade servers in an environment.

HP also introduced a similar product, the Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager on November 12, 2007. It also offers single-console management of up to 100 of HP’s Blade System chassis. According to Informationweek, the HP chassis can fit up to 16 servers each, to provide for total server management of up to 1,600 servers. The IBM BladeCenter chassis holds up to 14 blades, allowing its Open Fabric Manager to provide management of up to 1,400 servers.

According to IBM, the tool has features to map each blade to external network for every new or replacement server without the need for assigning Mac addresses and worldwide name identifiers each time.

IBM has priced its BladeCenter Open Fabric Manager at $1,499 and its advanced upgrade at $1,999. Both products are planned to be available in December 2007.

Source: ComputerWire daily updates

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