IBM Grows Flex System Portfolio to Enable Bigger Clouds

By Jeffrey Burt

This shot shows the IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis fully populated and deployed in a rack.

The upgraded Flex System Manager software gives users a graphical view of the status of each system. It also comes with a “fuel gauge,” which lets users know how much of the management capability they are using and how much more they have left.

With the enhancements to the management software, users can manage their Flex System infrastructure from anywhere on mobile devices that run Apple’s iOS, Google’s Android or BlackBerry operating systems.

The new x222 node, powered by two Intel Xeon E5 chips, will be able to run 28 processors in a single-rack chassis and will work well in virtualized environments. In virtual desktop infrastructures, each 10U chassis will be able to run 2,800 Windows 7 virtualized desktop images.

IBM was able to optimize the density of the x222 by engineering a design where the system opens in a clamshell fashion, with one module in the lid and another in the other section.

The entry-level p260 node is designed to make it easier for smaller businesses to make the transition into the Flex System environment.

The full-width compute module is aimed at high-end workloads such as databases that are increasingly finding their way into the cloud. The system will run on up to four eight-core Power 7+ processors.

The full-width compute module is aimed at high-end workloads such as databases that are increasingly finding their way into the cloud. The system will run on up to four eight-core Power 7+ processors.

The EN6131 Ethernet switch is among the new switches and fabrics that will help organizations adopt SDN in their environments and will increase infrastructure bandwidth, improving performance and connectivity.

All four new systems will be released in September. Shown here is a Flex System Enterprise Chassis that is fully populated.