First Look: IBM Serves Up Comprehensive SMB Solutions

A reliable server should be at the core of every good business solution. Combine that with whatever services the client needs and it’s easy to create a comprehensive SMB solution. To make business solutions as simple and as profitable as possible for its partners, IBM aims to integrate the IBM eServer 326, or e326.

The e326 is based on Advanced Micro Devices’ latest Opteron processors with HyperTransport technology. If performance needs require it, the e326 can be configured with two dual-core Opteron processors with dual 1-Mbyte L2 caches. IBM worked closely with AMD’s engineering team to squeeze the most performance possible out of the dual-core Opterons. Everything is packed into a 1U rack-mount chassis. Up to 42 of the 1U servers can be installed in a single 42U rack. Therefore, it is possible to have up to 84 processors, or a total of 168 processor cores, housed on a single rack.

The e326 is ideal for businesses that need to run 64-bit applications, or those currently using 32-bit apps but are planning to migrate to 64-bit in the future. The multicore server is also ideal for multithreaded applications and any applications that require extensive memory addressability.

An integrated IPMI 1.5 compliant-system management processor—optimized for HPC cluster manageability—enables remote power control, text console redirect over serial or LAN, and more. The management processor allows one or many of the e326 servers to be controlled locally or remotely.

The e326 server uses industry-standard 400MHz ECC DDR memory and can be configured with up to 16 Gbytes of memory. Two high-performance PCI-X adapter slots are standard; the first is a half-length/low-profile PCI-X slot that operates at 100MHz, while the second is a full-length/full-height slot that supports both 133MHz 64-bit PCI-X adapters as well as 64-bit 66MHz and 33MHz PCI adapters. Dual integrated Broadcom BCM5704 Gigabit Ethernet controllers also are standard.IBM recently began offering Neterion’s second-generation Xframe II 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapters as options in various IBM servers. The Xframe II is designed to deliver true line-rate 10-Gbps throughput to handle extreme network traffic. Xframe II takes advantage of the PCI-X 2.0 bus architecture to effectively double the data rate delivered by PCI-X 1.0. The Xframe II card increases network performance, eliminates bottlenecks, frees up bandwidth, boosts application response and slashes data backup times.

The e326 server contains built-in drive controllers. An integrated SCSI controller supports RAID-1 disk mirroring if high availability is paramount, and an integrated SATA controller supports two internal SATA drives with maximum transfer rates of 150 MBps. The server also contains three internal drive bays—two for slimline hard drives and one for a slimline CD-ROM drive. If SCSI drives are chosen, the hard drive bays are hot-swappable. The maximum storage capacity is 600 Gbytes if hot-swap SCSI drives are installed or 320 Gbytes with fixed SATA drives. An IDE CD-ROM drive is standard, while DVD, CD-RW and DVD/CD-RW combo drives are optional. The 1U chassis allows for tool-free rack installation, cover removal, adapter retention, power-supply replacement and hard disk installation and removal. The eServer 326 starts at $1,989 for a base model with one 2.4GHz single-core Opteron processor.

IBM’s PartnerWorld channel program has three levels: Member, Advanced and Premier. The Member level has a minimal commitment requiring only an online registration and acceptance of the PartnerWorld agreement. Advanced-level partners must maintain a prosperous business relationship with IBM to receive enhanced benefits. Premier-level partners must make a significant investment in IBM products and technologies by delivering complete IBM solutions to their customers. IBM offers comprehensive tech support, training and consulting, with a dedicated Web portal for partners.

The average margin range is typically 5 percent to 10 percent when selling hardware purchased through distribution (because distributors typically set the margins). However, consultants and integrators generate the majority of their revenue by providing consulting and integration services, application development and management, outsourcing and so forth. In addition to its server line, IBM offers midmarket services such as Web hosting, security, e-mail hosting and e-commerce assistance. These services also help to create a revenue-generating atmosphere with continuous profits long after margins on the server have been made.

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