IBM launches high-end Power7 servers

IBM on Tuesday launched a new batch of Power7 servers ranging to high-end systems for analytics to models designed for mid-sized companies.

The Power7 systems are designed to propel IBM to the top spot in the Unix market. Tom Rosamilia, general manager of Power Systems and System z, IBM Systems & Technology Group, said IBM needs to pick up four points of market share to be the top Unix server provider.

Rosamilia said the latest Power7 systems are being used for datacentre consolidation. Companies are just coming around to the idea of analytics-tailored systems, but there is a lot of interest. If thousands of Power7 systems sell for general purpose use, there are probably hundreds for tailored use.

Here's a look at the key points for IBM's latest Power7 systems and associated software:

• IBM launched a high-end IBM Power 795 system, which packs 256-cores and supports up to 8 terabytes of memory. In a nutshell, Power 795 has four times the performance as its predecessor with the same energy consumption. Via IBM's PowerVM virtualisation software, the 795 can support more than 1,000 virtual servers on one system.
• The company launched four Express servers including the IBM Power 710, 720, 730 and 740 Express for the midmarket. These systems come in rack-mount or tower packages and run AIX, IBM i and Linux. These servers start at $6,385 (£4,082). PowerVM software is optional.
• IBM launched a Smart Analytics System 7700 with Power7 technology. This system is tailored to analytics and serves as an integrated appliance. IBM DB2, Infosphere and AIX rides shotgun in the system. This system is designed to take on Oracle's Exadata.

For more on this ZDNet UK-selected story, see IBM launches high-end, mid-tier Power7 systems on ZDNet.com.