IBM launches 'Regatta' in Asia

BEIJING: IBM has launched the 'Regatta' servers in the Asian market, after

the recent US launch. Dubbed as the world's most powerful server, the IBM

eServer p690 - code named 'Regatta' - promises half the price of the recently

launched Sun Fire 15K and potential to change the dynamics of the Unix server

space. According to IBM server group, senior vice president and group executive,

Bill Zeitler, 'Regatta is set to become IBM's flagship product in the Unix

server space.'

IBM eServer Technology Development vice president Vijay Lund adds , "The

Regatta server has been possible after five years of developmental efforts to

incorporate microprocessors breakthroughs and mainframe technologies." The

servers, expected to be shipped from December onwards, aims to continue IBM's

leadership position in the Asian market. The Asian markets have seen the

strongest growth for IBM across the globe. furore

Talking on the growing consolidation trend in the industry, Zeitler mentioned

the growing importance of Linux to IBM. As a Linux based system is less

expensive, more secure and highly reliable, increasingly companies are moving

towards consolidating their IT infrastructure with the help of lesser but

powerful servers and Linux. Citing New York Stock Exchange example, which in

recent times has consolidated its server from the Sun platform to Linux. Claims

Zeitler, " A year ago only an high end super computer purchase could have

done such a consolidation. Today the same can be achieved with the help of

pSeries and Linux clustering."

The p690 servers can be linked together to create supercomputers powered by

more than 1000 processors. Comments Steve Solazzo, VP Linux, "Linux today

is a definite advantage for IBM." With IBM guaranteeing the same support

for Linux like its other platform, increasingly customers are seeing the merits

of Linux over other proprietary technologies, adds Solazzo.