IBM is introducing a range of service which provide
remote access to server computing resources and prices are based on
use.
Virtual Server Services lets companies buy server computing
power from IBM, and they then pay for what they use in the way
utilities such as water and electricity are billed.
The servers in question are owned and managed by IBM and kept at
the supplier's data centres. Computing power is delivered remotely
to clients. After charging customers a one-time set up fee, IBM
bills them according to use every month.
Customers can buy computing capacity on IBM's eServer xSeries
machines based on Windows operating systems; eServer iSeries
running OS/400; and eServer pSeries AIX-based Unix servers.
In July 2002 IBM had already introduced a similar service for
IBM zSeries mainframes running Linux.
IBM also makes available on a similar on-demand basis network
capacity and complementary managed server services, such as
Internet connectivity, storage, backup and firewall.
Juan Carlos Perez writes for IDG News Service