New Intel server motherboards series serves up value for SME market

Annex Distribution has available a range of new Intel server motherboards that are specifically designed to add value to the growing small to medium business market segment.

The new line, the S5000 Series, is based on the latest in Intel`s processor and chipset technology ensuring higher levels of performance, reliability and manageability.

In a bid to keep the small to medium segment competitive and technologically sound, Intel has also released the Intel Server Board S5000PSL. It addresses the need, of growing businesses, for high performance server solutions capable of running a variety of database, file and messaging applications.

Specific noteworthy features include:

* 64-bit Multi-core Intel Xeon processor improves performance and headroom and provides scalability and system redundancy with multiple virtual applications.
* Eight fully buffered 533/667MHz DIMMs increase capacity and performance.
* Dual GB Ethernet with Intel I/O Acceleration Technology (Intel I/OAT) improves application and network responsiveness by moving data to and from server applications faster.
* Four PCI Express slots provide the I/O bandwidth needed by servers.
* Integrated server management lowers costs.
* Up to six SATA 3Gb/s ports.
* Optional 8-port SAS ROMB or optional 4-port SAS support next generation enterprise class SAS drives or SATA drives.
* Higher performance PCI Express slots provide expansion headroom.
* Integrated Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) enables manageability while preserving remote management upgrade options.

The range also includes the Intel Server Board S5000VSA. It is positioned to add value to print, file, Web and other multifunctional small to medium application servers.

The device includes integrated platform management interface 2.0 from Intel for greater ease of use. The server board also offers increased flexibility by supporting SATA and SAS, as well as SCSI via an add-on card.

"Intel`s Server Chassis SC5299 and SC5400 are designed to work with the products. This is a cost-effective chassis that simplifies integration and maintenance through toolless features on all drives, bays and fans," explains Shaun Welgemoed, Intel product manager at Annex Distribution.

The 64-bit Multi-core Intel Xeon processor, codenamed Woodcrest are the first to leverage off Intel`s Core micro-architecture - a power-sensitive blueprint design that includes several innovations to improve performance. Intel`s 5100 series delivers up to 135% performance improvement and up to 40% reduction in energy consumption over previous Intel server products," says Welgemoed.

Innovations include Intel Wide Dynamic Execution that delivers more instructions per cycle, as well as Intel Advanced Smart Cache that allows one of two processing units - or cores - to use the entire memory reservoir if necessary. It also includes Intel Smart Memory Access that can `hide` memory latency and bottlenecks.

"This enhanced performance means that servers can manage heavier workloads and process simultaneous requests, without increasing power consumption. This provides the necessary technology support to help a business sustain and maintain levels of growth," he adds.

The 5100 series offers speeds of up to 3.0GHz with a Front Side Bus of 1 333MHz and 4MB of shared L2 cache or memory reservoir between both cores.

"This is a truly comprehensive offering by Intel that will go a long way to enrich businesses within the small to medium arena. It provides the necessary technology to enable users to derive the maximum benefit from many applications and, in so doing, ensures a level of productivity and competition," adds Welgemoed.