Sun launches Blade 6000 modular system

BANGALORE, INDIA: Sun Microsystems has launched its Blade 6000 modular system, in India.

The Sun Blade 6000 offers a choice of blades powered by the UltraSPARC T1 processor with coolthreads technology, Intel Xeon processors or AMD Opteron processors, allows customers to deploy applications ranging from high performance computing (HPC), web tier and database on a single common modular design. It is a comprehensive multi-tier portfolio.

"With the three processor platforms, three operating systems, the most memory and I/O bandwidth, Sun enables customers to upgrade to virtualized blade platforms without the expense or technical compromises," Vijay Pradhan, director-Systems Practice, Sun Microsystems India, said at a media briefing here.

The Sun Blade 6000 Modular System is bundled with microprocessors from Sun, Intel and AMD, and provides support for Solaris, Windows and Linux operating systems.

It leverages existing open standard technology and eco systems. The open chassis design integrates into the existing data center technology. The open I/O does not require proprietary, proprietary management or hidden licensing costs. “It is a future proof modular design with high efficiency power and cooling features. It just fits into the existing datacenters,” said Pradhan.

Arnab Roy, general manager, Marketing, Sun Microsystems India, said, “Blades are witnessing a steady momentum in adoption in India. The blade adoption market at present is 10 to 15 per cent, and will gain momentum.”

These Sun Blade 6000 Modular System address the needs of small and medium enterprises, emerging as well as the large enterprises and research community says Pradhan.

“UltraSPARC T2, enhanced version of the present product would be launched very soon. In the rack server category Sun has already tied up with Intel to launch the intel-based rack servers,” said Pradhan

It is available now, with entry-level pricing starting at $4,995 for the Sun Blade 6000 Chassis; $5,995 per server module for the Sun Blade T6300; $3,695 per server module for the Sun Blade X6250; and $3,995 per server module for the Sun Blade X6220.