IBM Delivers First Pre-Packaged Linux Clusters for e-Business

IBM Delivers First Pre-Packaged Linux Clusters for e-Business

IBM eServer Cluster for Linux and UNIX Provide Ready-Made, Ultra-Scalable Solutions That Speed e-Infrastructure Deployment

ARMONK, NY - 13 Nov 2001: IBM today introduced the industry's first pre-packaged Linux clusters, providing customers a quick and easy way to implement Linux solutions for e-business. The IBM eServer Cluster integrates best-of-breed components into a single, easy-to-order and -deploy package.

Combining IBM eServer xSeries Intel processor-based servers with high-performance cluster management software derived from IBM's UNIX systems, the IBM eServer Cluster can be shipped with as few as four servers and can grow to encompass massive Linux systems powerful enough to meet any customer need. IBM is already building Linux clusters with more than 1,000 nodes.

The IBM eServer Cluster has been tested to ensure interoperability and maximum performance in e-commerce environments such as Web infrastructure and collaboration/email. IBM offers comprehensive services and support for the clusters, including installation and ongoing maintenance.

IBM also extended its range of cluster offerings by enhancing its industry-leading UNIX-based IBM eServer Cluster sytstems, which are powered by pSeries servers running the AIX operating system.

"Linux is the fastest-growing operating system, spreading quickly in the world of business computing, while AIX is the fastest-growing UNIX operating system," said Dave Turek, vice president, emerging technologies, IBM Server Group. "We are bringing the IBM eServer Cluster products to market as business customers increasingly ask for ready-made solutions, not an assortment of piece parts."

Business-Critical Software
IBM labs have tested key Linux business applications on the IBM eServer Cluster 1300 for performance, compatibility and reliability. Applications include:

High Availability. Software from Mission Critical Linux, Inc., SteelEye Technology, Inc., and Polyserve, Inc. provide failover technology designed to avoid downtime. Sophisticated interfaces allow customers to implement customized reliability functions.

e-Commerce. TheIBM WebSphere suite of e-business infrastructure software helps businesses manage high volume transactions, integrate business processes, and create, deploy and manage e-business applications.

Database. IBM's DB2 Universal Database provides a powerful data management solution for a broad spectrum of business applications. DB2 supports very large parallel databases essential for business intelligence applications and scientific workloads.

eMail. Sendmail's complete line of Linux messaging, hosting and routing products offers a robust email solution that supports many users on a single server.

Transaction Processing. Warp Solutions' Transaction Session Manager improves e-business transaction speed by quickly and efficiently routing requests from front-end Web sites to back-end databases.

Workload Management. Platform LSF software enables clusters to process tasks more efficiently, and provides monitoring and reporting tools that deliver constant, up-to-date information about the state of the cluster environment.

IBM is working with other software vendors and plans to announce additional applications in the future.

IBM eServer Cluster 1300's Best-of-Breed Components
A computing cluster is a collection of servers that are connected by hardware and software to perform as a single integrated computer system.

IBM eServer x330 and x342 Intel processor-based servers, running Red Hat Linux 7.1, supply the processing muscle for the Cluster 1300. The servers are harnessed together with IBM's cluster and file system management software, derived from the renowned IBM SP supercomputer. The SP first gained fame in 1997 when it defeated chess champion Garry Kasparov in a history-making chess match.

Built upon the system management tools and commands of the IBM SP supercomputer, IBM Cluster Systems Management for Linux enables administrators to manage hundreds of clustered servers efficiently and cost effectively. Key administrative functions in the cluster, such as operating system installation and configuration, may be performed from a central point of control. The software enables operators to monitor and control hardware and keep configuration files synchronized across all servers. It also provides a leading-edge infrastructure for high-availability, as well as a balanced architecture for optimal cluster performance.

IBM's highly-available General Parallel File System for Linux provides shared access to files across nodes in the cluster. Scaling to nine terabytes, the system allows customers to quickly and easily access huge amounts of data on a cluster.

Myricom ( www.myri.com) provides the high-performance Myrinet communication and switching between the servers.

IBM eServer x330 and x342
The IBM eServer x330, used for compute processing in the IBM eServer Cluster 1300, is the industry's most powerful thin server, with support for high-performance dual processing (with Intel Pentium III processors), unique Cable Chaining Technology and self-management tools. The x330 includes up to 4GB of 133MHz ECC SDRAM memory, and up to 72GB internal hot-swap storage capacity.

The x342, used as the central management and storage nodes in the Cluster 1300, is a slim, space-saving 3U (5.25") server featuring Intel Pentium III 1.25GHz processors with up to 4GB ECC SDRAM memory and up to 440.4GB internal storage capacity with an optional three-pack Ultra160 hot-plug expansion kit and a total of 5 PCI slots. The x342 rack system also includes self-managing technologies from IBM's Project eLiza initiative and supports the IBM Remote Supervisor Adapter to simplify remote system management by providing around-the-clock access.

An eight-node IBM eServer Cluster 1300 -- including eight cluster server nodes, one management server node, Red Hat Linux operating system, switching, and custom factory integration -- costs $85,000. The cluster will be available in the United States on November 26.

IBM eServer Cluster 1600
Leveraging the cluster and file management software and ultra-fast switch from the IBM SP supercomputer, the UNIX-based IBM eServer Cluster 1600 enables IBM to create systems with up to thousands of microprocessors that incorporate IBM's mid-range, high-end and high performance UNIX servers, all managed from a single point of control.

IBM Service and Support
IBM provides a full range of services and support for the IBM eServer Cluster -- from complete installation to assigning a single point of contact for all support issues.

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The IBM eServer brand consists of the established IBM e-business logo with the following descriptive term "server'' following it. IBM and the e-business logo are trademarks of IBM Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.