IBM is rolling out its latest X3-based server, a system that can scale from four to 32 processors. The x460, announced last week, is powered by Intel Xeon chips that support both 32- and 64-bit software. As their needs grow, customers will be able to enhance the x460 and pay only for what they need, IBM officials said.
IBM in February introduced its X3 architecture, the next generation of its Intel-based xSeries systems, as well as a chip set code-named Hurricane that is designed to bring mainframe technologies, such as virtualization and faster I/O, to the volume system space.
With the Xeon chips, the x460 will offer greater scalability than will systems from Dell and Hewlett-Packard, IBM officials said. Dell is focused on one-, two- and four-way systems; HPs largest servers are standardized on Intels Itanium chip.
The x460 is due at midmonth.