IBM Corp says the three new Netfinity servers it introduced yesterday are the first to include enhancements drawn from its mainframes and SP2 parallel server ranges, something it began promising earlier this year. Yesterday’s announcements included the high-end 7000M10, a 4-way, 400MHz Pentium II Xeon system; the 55000M, a 2-way, 400MHz Xeon; and the 5000, a Pentium II Slot-1 system. All the new servers include IBM’s Light Path Diagnostics (a series of photocopier-like lights for fault-finding) error correcting memory, systems management chip and redundant power supply. But the 7000M10 also includes a service processor for remote troubleshooting, and predictive failure alert on processing, fans, hard drives and power supplies. IBM also introduced an ESCON adapter for connecting Netfinity systems with S/390 mainframes, and fibre channel storage options, including a new expansion cabinet, fibre-RAID controller, host adapter and hubs. Future products will include the high-speed SP switch used in the RS/6000 SP parallel servers, the first use of the switch for Intel-compatible servers running Windows NT. IBM is also planning to build accessory chips and custom silicon for Netfinity servers using its copper and silicon-on-insulator chip- building processes. Prices for open bay models of the new Netfinity 5000 servers start at $2,800. The 5500s start at $7,000; the 7000s at $11,400.
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