IBM has launched a new range of System x servers and new
software aimed at meeting demand for virtualisation
technology.
The company said its own research showed that more than half of
its x86 customers intend to deploy virtualisation technology before
the end of the year.
Traditionally x86 servers can each run only a single
application, resulting in a low utilisation rate. But virtualised
systems allow IT resources to be pooled and optimised across
servers, making better use of IT assets.
The new range of System x scaleable servers – a development from
IBM’s xSeries product line – features IBM’s Enterprise
X-Architecture technology. The three high-performance systems in
the range – System x3950, System x3850, System x3800 – are designed
to deliver enterprise class capabilities for server consolidation
and scalable database, enterprise resource planning and customer
relationship management applications.
IBM has also launched a new Consolidation Discovery and Analysis
Tool (CDAT), software that recognises untapped utilisation and
hidden servers across users’ networks and helps identify
opportunities to consolidate and virtualise x86 systems.
IBM is stepping up its efforts in the virtualisation market
after its January acquisition of CIMS Lab, a leading provider of
software that helps businesses track the use of computing resources
across virtualised environments.