Maxed Out
Because the System i can run at redline speed all day long . . .
November 8, 2007
i5 Blades Coming November 30
Hints and rumors were in the air this summer, starting at the OCEAN User Group Conference, but this is the first specific confirmation I've seen out of IBM: an i5/OS POWER-based blade will be available from IBM as early as November 30.
In iMonthly, Bob Cozzi mentions that IBM has said it will announce a blade running i5/OS that will plug into a BladeCenter S*, which is IBM's new mini BladeCenter designed for SMBs; however, Cozzi either doesn't know the dates, IBM doesn't know the dates, or IBM knows the dates but asked Cozzi not to mention the dates. (Incidentally, I decided not to ask Cozzi directly, just on the off chance he had a source he didn't want to burn.) Either way, details get around, through back channels and otherwise, and eventually come to light.
While reading up on IBM's $1 billion Project Big Green, I stumbled upon the fact that IBM has released POWER6-based blades running AIX, the point being that you could use the tremendous computing power of the blade to create dense, energy efficient data centers. What IBM announced is the new JS22 BladeCenter Express, which boasts two dual-core POWER6 processors. I'm pretty sure the folks at Sun and HP are still freaking out over this, in addition to the fact that the screamin' POWER6 exists at all.
In any event, I also found this little gem:
And in case you're wondering what the little "(4)" means, here's that footnote:
So, i5/OS on a blade is coming sooner rather than later, and it's going to change the System i landscape -- no doubt about that little fact. How, exactly, remains to be seen.
* Since I've seen so many footnotes today, I thought I'd add my own: IBM's BladeCenter S holds up to six blades in its chassis, and it's shaping up to be a powerful new weapon in IBM's efforts to tackle the SMB space. Although IBM hasn't mentioned anything specific, it seems obvious that the BladeCenter S will somehow become the backbone of IBM's Vertical Industry Program (VIP) initiatives, which are targeted at SMBs. While IBM is using the VIP program to sell i5/OS-based applications, I would bet that IBM will start shifting the entire program to utilize the BladeCenter S, which, in light of i5/OS blades, may or may not benefit the System i world.
* Note From Chris, Friday a.m.: IBM apparently edited the press release so that i5/OS is not mentioned. I'm working on a new post now . . . so, November 30 . . . maybe not!
Posted by cmaxcer at November 8, 2007 11:04 AM
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