IBM’s latest duo for SMBs

IBM is targeting small and midsize businesses with the launch last week of two Intel Pentium 4 based servers that boast integrated management and data protection features uncommon to servers of their size.

The xSeries 206 and 306 will replace the xSeries 205 and 305 that were also aimed at SMBs. The latest servers are based on IBM’s X-Architecture, which integrates mainframe-like features.

The eServer x206 has a single processor and is configured as a tower server. It is designed for use as a file and print server, communications server or e-mail server.

The eServer x306 is also a single-processor server. It is rack mounted and suitable for Web serving, firewall applications or load balancing.

The SATA drives are hot swappable and the servers include ASF 2.0 and IBM Director software for remote control.

Dell and HP have also introduced comparable low-end servers. Dell has the PowerEdge 400SC, 600SC and 1600SC. The 400SC starts at $249; the 600SC starts at $399; and the 1600SC starts at $599. HP has the ProLiant ML120 for $449, the tc2120 for $499 and the ML330 for $999.

The 206 starts at $449 and is available now. The 306 is a 1U high server that starts at $1340. It is also available now.