IBM has introduced Advanced Connectivity Technology (ACT) that will
allow IT departments to daisy chain together as many as 256 of its
xSeries Intel-based servers.
The company claimed ACT would cut the number of switches needed in
rack-mounted systems by 90%, saving money and configuration time
for network administrators.
In addition, because the system uses thinner, more common CAT5
cables, cable costs and clutter can be reduced over heavier wiring,
IBM said.
ACT works by linking groups of 16 rack-mounted servers together,
then plugging those bundled groups of servers into a 16-port
management switch controlled by a single administrative console.
Consoles are available for local or remote control of the
configuration. Traditional configuration methods required
individual cables running from each server to a switch and a
maximum of 16 servers connected to one switch.
Jeff Benck, director of product marketing for IBM's eSeries and
xSeries servers, said ACT could save $67,000 (£47,472) in switch
costs for each 256-server configuration while simplifying
installation and administration.
Each 256-server system can be controlled using one keyboard,
monitor and mouse.
IBM used a similar system for about two years for its Linux-based
x330 1U rack-mounted servers using a C2T cable chaining technology,
Benck said.
That system allowed 42 servers to be linked together, far fewer
than the 256 allowed by ACT. The old C2T system did not offer
remote administrative capabilities, he said. ACT is backward
compatible with C2T, so those units could be connected and remotely
operated.
Pricing starts at $1,300 (£824) for a local console system for up
to 64 servers and $5,200 (£3,296) for a remote console for up to
256 servers. ACT will begin shipping at the end of this month.
IDC analyst Mark Melenovsky said the new daisy chaining system
could make system setup and configuration easier for IT departments
and simplify the addition of more servers.
He added that the technique could mean changes for the traditional
keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch makers since it greatly
increases the number of servers that will be operable from one KVM
switch.
Other hardware vendors including Dell and Compaq also have similar
cable reduction systems, but they only handle up to 40
servers.
IBM also unveiled its rack-based eServer x345 2U server with Intel
Xeon processors and up to six hot-swap hard drive bays and five PCI
slots. The x345 server is available with a choice of Microsoft
Windows, Linux or Novell NetWare operating systems. The servers
will begin shipping at the end of this month with a starting price
of $2,799 (£1,774).