In autumn 2002 Fujitsu Siemens Computers announced its fifth generation of Solaris/SPARC-based PRIMEPOWER Enterprise Servers with Extended Architecture for Business Critical Computing environments. PRIMEPOWER servers are developed by Fujitsu Ltd in Japan, and sold by Fujitsu Siemens Computers in EMEA, Fujitsu Ltd in Asia/Pacific, and Fujitsu Technology Solutions in North America.
Shipments of the new PRIMEPOWER models began in February 2003 and general availability will be from June 2003. At the start of CeBIT 2003, Fujitsu Siemens Computers announced the first customers as well as the ongoing roadmap for this server line with SPARC64 processors.
"The new, worldwide-available PRIMEPOWER series - with the models 900, 1500 and 2500 - are best-in-class servers combining mainframe system availability, supercomputer scalability and the open Solaris Operating Environment. Fujitsu is committed to continuously enhance and strengthen PRIMEPOWER, to make it the leading Solaris platform," said Tatsuo Tomita, Senior Vice-President, Enterprise Systems Group, Fujitsu Limited.
First customer shipment
First customers include OSRAM GmbH. OSRAM, one of the world`s largest lighting manufacturers, has decided to use a high availability solution to move toward the goal of integrating and consolidating its IT platform in order to run the mySAP Business Suite. The selected hardware for this project consists of two high-end PRIMEPOWER 1500 servers with their cutting-edge Extended Architecture.
Robert Blattenberger, Senior Director Information Technology at OSRAM GmbH stated: "By integrating and consolidating the hardware platforms for our mySAP Business Suite infrastructure, we are continuing our initiatives to strengthen the competitiveness of OSRAM even more as a leading high-tech company in international markets. We chose PRIMEPOWER servers with PRIMECLUSTER to ensure the necessary performance, reliability and maximum availability for these business-critical applications."
The PRIMEPOWER model 1500 is scalable up to 32 processors and designed for server consolidation, e-commerce and large application processing. This server combines SPARC64 processors with the company`s innovative crossbar switching to ensure maximum scalability and system resource utilisation. The power of its SMP (Symmetric Multi Processing) configuration can be dynamically reallocated allowing multiple applications to obtain the resources they need when required. As a result PRIMEPOWER 1500 is ideal for all, even the largest consolidation projects.
Highlights of the Extended Architecture
The highlights of the Extended Architecture are the following:
* Performance optimised 1.35GHz SPARC64 V processors.
* By factor 2 performance enhanced and fully redundant crossbar (PRIMEPOWER 2500).
* Extended Partitioning (XPAR) combining all benefits and advantages of the various partitioning concepts in the market.
* Enhanced hot-plug capabilities.
* Extended RAS (Reliability, Availability, Serviceability) functions like cable less crossbar, instruction retry and processing and register data protection.
* High density cabinet housing, reducing foot print up to 50%.
The new generation of PRIMEPOWER servers offers all functionality needed for simplifying and optimizing existing IT Infrastructures. Based on the new SPARC64 processor generation, the overall system performance is raised by 60%. The unique Built-in-AIR (Automatic Instruction Retry)-functionality improves Single System Availability to Mainframe Class level.
Outlook for Solaris/SPARC-based PRIMEPOWER servers
The roadmap for the PRIMEPOWER server line takes customers beyond the year 2006. Already available are the PRIMEPOWER models 900, 1500, 2500. They use the fifth generation 1.35GHz clock SPARC64 microprocessors. This microprocessor complies with the SPARC International V9 Level 2 specification to guarantee a long-term application compatible platform.
Future SPARC64 processors will run with 2.4 or 3.0GHz resp. 6.0GHz clockspeed. The sixth and seventh generation of SPARC64 processors will be based on 2-core and 4-core technology, which means two or four CPUs on a chip. The goal for future PRIMEPOWER server lines is to be equipped with higher frequency, more integrated processors but with lower power consumption.
Further on Fujitsu Siemens Computers and Fujitsu aim to enhance the flexibility and manageability of the future server family by also expanding the "Extended Partitioning" (XPAR) to allow more flexible configuration of partitions. With this feature PRIMEPOWER can provide flexibility equivalent to software partitioning while maintaining the desirable features of hardware partitioning in the areas of security and fault tolerance. An extended system control facility allows a more detailed and comfortable system management. To maximise throughput PRIMEPOWER will use third level cache technology for transaction-intensive computing. PCI-X will be the future IO interconnect. Together with the implementation of the Fujitsu Siemens Computers` Autonomic Systems concept, which is also announced at this years CeBIT, the above mentioned functionalities will lead to further improvements in return on investment (ROI).
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Fujitsu Siemens Computers is the leading European computer company. Serving the needs of large corporations, small to medium-sized enterprises and consumers the company operates in all key markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It offers a unique choice of world-class computer technology and innovative IT infrastructure solutions. Embedded in a global cooperation, Fujitsu Siemens Computers takes advantage of the strengths and the innovative power of its parent companies Fujitsu Limited and Siemens AG.
"Powering the Information Age" is the company`s vision. Fujitsu Siemens Computers will enable people to freely access information and services anywhere and at any time with world-leading products, services and solutions, thus ensuring people`s success within a knowledge-based society. The strategic direction is focused on mobility and business-critical computing as the key drivers of the Information Age in the 21st century.
The company offers everything for enterprise computing, ranging from best-in-class Intel- and Unix-based servers to mainframes and enterprise storage solutions. It is also one of the leading providers of mobile computing products, PCs and workstations to business customers, and is the number one supplier of computers for home users in Europe. For further information, please visit www.fujitsu-siemens.com.
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