IBM targets mid-market with zEnterprise 114 server

IBM is to begin rolling roll out a new System z mainframe server on Tuesday that is designed for mid-market customers and emerging markets, and aims to consolidate traditional servers.

IBM has launched the zEnterprise 114 server. Photo credit: IBM

The zEnterprise 114 starts below $75,000 (£47,000), making it one of the most inexpensive models in the z line-up. According to IBM, the zEnterprise 114 can consolidate 300 servers in one box.

IBM has been riding a mainframe sales surge since launching its System z line-up in 2010. The overall trend among hardware vendors is to pitch single boxes as a way to consolidate servers. Oracle markets Exadata as a datacentre consolidation play and IBM is positioning the mainframe to do the same.

IBM's zEnterprise 114 mainframe promises server consolidation, space savings on datacentre floors; lower energy costs; integration between the zEnterprise System and IBM's System x blades; configurations of up to 14 processors; and the ability to use "10 specialty engines" to handle workloads ranging from Java to Linux.

For more on this ZDNet UK-selected story, see IBM launches mainframe for midmarket, eyes server consolidation on CNET News.