IBM unveils four-way server

Computerworld - IBM today announced its xSeries 260, a four-processor server designed for remote offices or storage-intensive applications.
The x260 is based on the 64-bit Intel Xeon MP processor, formerly code-named Cranford, as well as IBM's X3 architecture.
The dual-core-capable 7U-high server (1U equals 1.75 in.) allows customers to include up to 12 3.5-in. SCSI hard disk drives for faster processing and greater capacities, according to Stuart McRae, director of high-volume servers and workstations.
Customers can install hard drives with capacities of up to 300GB per drive, for a total of 3.6TB of local storage, McRae said. The x260 is designed to be used in remote or branch offices of hotels, banks and retail operations that need large amounts of internal storage, or for local backup of critical business information, IBM said.
In addition, small and midsize businesses and retail outlets such as toy, electronics and department stores can use the x260 to run point-of-sale systems, according to IBM. The x260 can also serve as a central storage location for inventory and sales data and be used to send data to corporate offices, according to IBM.
Available in the U.S. in mid-September, the x260 starts at $4,599.
Next month, IBM will also begin shipping the IntelliStation M Pro 6218, a workstation the uses an Intel dual-core processor. This workstation, which offers 8GB of memory, is usually used for mechanical and electronic design, drug discovery and digital content creation, IBM said.
Pricing for the IntelliStation M Pro 6218 starts at $1,479.

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