IBM Netfinity servers get top-shelf makeover

IBM Corp. introduced two Netfinity multiprocessor servers last month that

bring high-end technologies to Intel Corp.-based server platforms. The new

Netfinity 7100 and 7600 both come equipped with four Pentium III 550 MHz

Xeon processors and run on Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 2000 operating system.

A key new feature in both systems is the Advanced System Management

Processor, which monitors vital system components and provides administrators

with predictive failure analysis. The same technology is used in IBM's Unix

product, the RS/6000, and its midrange server, the AS/400, according to

the company. Another standard feature of both systems is Active Peripheral

Component Interconnect with hot-swap and hot-add capabilities. With Hot

Add, Netfinity servers automatically recognize and configure new network

cards or redundant array of independent disk adapters so that administrators

do not have to shut the system down.

Additionally, the screwless case design and internal cableless connections

of the new Netfinity models also allow components to be quickly added and

removed from the system without using tools.

List prices for the Netfinity 7100 range from $8,700 to $11,000, depending

on configuration. Prices for the Netfinity 7600 range from around $11,300

to $13,300.