Computer maker Lenovo is reaching out to small and midsize businesses with the expansion of its server portfolio, announcing the release of the ThinkServer RD430 and RD330 rack servers, backed by a services portfolio that includes the ability to deploy custom Windows imaging and BIOS settings at the Lenovo factory.
The RD430 and RD330 are available through the company’s Website or through Lenovo business partners. Prices for the RD430 and RD330 start at $1,499 and $1,099, respectively.
Based on the Intel Xeon E5-2400 processor family, the RD430 and the RD330 servers feature up to 192GB of RAM deployable in 12 dual-in-line memory module (DIMM) slots, and either 24 or 8 terabytes of hard-disk storage capacity for the RD430 and RD330, respectively. Both are available in either 2U (RD430) or 1U (RD330) chassis configurations with tool-less rail kits.
In addition, Lenovo’s Smart Grid technology, which allows IT administrators to set power-cap policies so the servers can respond to changing workloads, improves on the previous-generation servers’ energy efficiency, providing power planning intelligence, and scales Intel Node Manager, a server management platform, to the rack level. A new chassis design improves cooling efficiency by up to 20 percent and reduces fan power as much as 20 percent, a company release claimed.
“These new ThinkServer rack servers are designed for growing small and midsized businesses who need a low-priced yet highly scalable and efficient rack server to build their IT infrastructure,” Lu Yan, senior vice president of Think Product Group for Lenovo, said in prepared remarks. “In addition to the substantial increases in computing performance and energy efficiency, businesses with only one or two IT staff members will also appreciate the manageability features that simplify server deployment and operation. The mix of built-in capabilities with high performance, efficiency and reliability yields a package that pays dividends in return.”
The ThinkServer EasyManage server monitoring and management tool, which leverages Hitachi Data Systems’ IT Operations Analyzer to provide a holistic view on the status of up to 1000 Lenovo server nodes, is included with the RD430 and RD330. EasyManage also offers a Web-based dashboard for monitoring key performance indicators for server components, agent-less architecture, change monitoring and scheduled monitoring with user-defined alerting.
“Both IT administrators and end users expect their server infrastructure to provide maximum efficiency, availability and performance, regardless of the constraints commonly found on IT resources,” Frank Amato, director of global software for Hitachi Data Systems said in prepared remarks. “By utilizing the flexible functionality of the Hitachi IT Operations Analyzer as the foundation for ThinkServer EasyManage, Lenovo provides a proven monitoring solution that helps simplify IT operations, improve service levels, and boost efficiencies tied to IT management time, cost and effort.”