Dell raises bar for performance, management with new PowerEdge servers

Dell has aggressively integrated the latest technologies and standards across its line of PowerEdge servers to provide the most complete products and services for customers` core applications at the best value in the industry.

The dual-processor PowerEdge 1800, 1850, 2800, 2850 servers and Open Manage 4 systems management software are the foundation of Dell`s vision for the scalable enterprise, providing customers with powerful building blocks for consolidation, databases, enterprise applications and high-performance computing.

These servers feature Intel Xeon processors with Extended Memory 64-bit Technology (EM64T) and will deliver better performance for 32-bit applications that are standard in customers` IT operations today, as well as 64-bit applications that will require more memory. The new standards in PowerEdge servers and Dell OpenManage Systems Management software make them easier to update and fix from remote locations; common systems design and tools in the next generation servers give customers unprecedented stability and consistency across Dell platforms.

Two-processor capacity server unit shipments are expected to account for more than 6.2 million units in 2008, nearly double the 3.5 millions units shipped in 2003, according to industry analyst firm, IDC1[1]. Single and dual processor capacity servers also represented 91% of all server unit shipments in 2003, according to the same research.

"Standardised Dell systems are the backbone of customers` IT infrastructure," says Tiny Maubane, Enterprise Product Manager at Dell South Africa. "The ability to now run applications that require larger memory on these systems will increase their confidence to unplug proprietary technology servers and deploy Dell."

These PowerEdge servers incorporate technologies that improve performance and capacity for core business and high-performance applications. These feature-rich platforms include:

* Latest Intel Xeon processors with Extended Memory 64 Technology;
* PCI Express I/O technology, delivering four times the throughput of previous technology;
* Intel 7520 Chipset with 50% better memory throughput based on 800MHz front side bus;
* DDR2 memory delivering twice the memory density of previous generations for greater scalability and capacity; and
* Integrated standards-based management controllers.

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Continuing to reduce data centre complexity and management cost is critical to building the scalable enterprise. Towards that goal, Dell is driving further standardisation of core systems management functions with base management and remote access hardware and new Dell OpenManage 4 systems management software.

OpenManage 4 works with industry-standard IPMI baseboard management controllers in the system, enabling customers to remotely monitor and control the servers with their choice of systems management software. Optional Dell Remote Access Cards also enable secure, remote server installation, update and fault recovery, reducing customers` need for physical server access. Additionally, common systems management images, drivers, BIOS and diagnostic tools, help minimise the number of elements needed to manage and update servers.

The PowerEdge 1800, 1850, 2800 and 2850 servers will be supported by Dell Services (www.dell.com/services) to help customers realise a more efficient, effective, scalable and productive enterprise environment. Customised Dell offerings streamline and integrate activities across the entire product lifecycle, such as system planning and design, implementation and training, and support and disposal. Dell Services are designed to maximise customer investment and enhance customer satisfaction while reducing management costs and complexity.

The servers will be available with factory installed Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (32-bit edition) and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 (32/64-bit edition). The PowerEdge 1850 and 2850 servers will be available in SA around 16 August. The PowerEdge 1800 and 2800 servers will be available in SA around October.

Additional information on the products is available in the accompanying fact sheet and at www.dell.com/poweredge. Product photography is available at www.dell.com/photos.

[1] IDC Q104 Worldwide Quarterly Server Forecaster, June 2004.