IBM today has officially launched its latest generation server architecture eX5, which offers energy-efficient, simplified deployment through workload-optimized models based on the x86 platform, at the CeBit event in Germany.
“We are taking the tried and tested IBM architecture and incorporating it in blade centers. We are looking at evolving from customer driven (virtualization) to market-driven (blade center for enterprises) architecture”, explained Tikiri Wanduragala, Senior Server Consultant, IBM eServer xSeries EMEA, at a pre-launching event in South Africa.
eX5 combines the fifth generation of IBM server architecture with the latest Intel Xeon processors, translating into a high-end enterprise server portfolio targeting workload-optimization, memory maximizing and greater server capacity.
The eX5 range comes in various customizable sizes with broad coverage for enterprise applications, server consolidation and virtualization environments.
IBM’s latest server architecture supports up to 8 sockets with 64 cores of processing power and expandable memory with MAX5, meaning memory for both racks and blades can be maximized to accommodate more virtual machines, faster database performance and greater server utilization.
The range consist of IBM System x3850 X5 with versatile four-processor, 4U rack-optimized scalable enterprise server, IBM Blade Center HX5 for 2 and 4 socket servers standardization and IBM System x3690 X5 with two-processor, 2U scalable server that offers up to 5 times more memory capacity.
In addition to that, the eX5 allows for consolidation of more machines per server, more transactions per minute without the need for additional bandwidth, and database and energy cost reduction using FlashPack technology.
Because secondhand rackable equipment is cheap and plentiful, but used racks are not cheap. The only reason I was able to get a 22U rack for my 4 *free* rackmount servers was that I was given one by my previous employer when they closed their tech support center in kauai.