IBM is rolling out a line of AS/400e servers with improved CPU technology and software for serving up Web applications.
This past week, Big Blue announced a half dozen boxes that have CPUs with copper wiring inside, allowing them to run longer and faster than chips with standard aluminum wires. Additionally, these CPUs also come with IBM's silicon on insulator (SOI) technology, a method of covering the transistors with silicon to prevent electrical leaks. IBM claims that this will give the boxes a performance boost of about 20% to 30%.
IBM also is claiming that these AS/400es will be able to handle high-end customer relationship management, business-to-business and business intelligence applications, among others. They will also be optimized to run Java applications and Lotus Domino, and support XML to help them communicate with devices such as cell phones or other handhelds.
Among the servers being rolled out are two workgroup level boxes: the first is the AS/400e 250 , a new server for workgroups that starts at $7,500. The second is the AS/400e 270, optimized for Web serving and e-business and Java applications, which runs between $10,000 and $50,000.For the midrange users there will be the AS/400e 820, 830 and 840 models, which will run from $30,000 to $1.2 million.
Also, on its way this August is the next rev of OS/400, V4R5. V4R5 will come with directory enhancements to support Lightweight Directory Access Protocol Version 3 and Transport Layer Security, the latest protocol version of Secure Sockets Layer, IBM says.
The AS/400e boxes will be available by August.
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