Lenovo is following up on the launch of Intel's new Lynnfield processor with new single-processor ThinkServer servers. At the same time, it is maintaining silence about any plans related to expansion of its server lines beyond its focus on the small and midsize business market.
Lenovo on Tuesday unveiled two new servers based on the Xeon processor 3400 CPU, which Intel introduced on Tuesday as part of its new Lynnfield desktop and server processor family.
The company's new ThinkServer TS200 tower server and ThinkServer RS210 are both single-processor servers featuring the Xeon 3400 processor and Intel's new Foxhollow chipset, said Doug Petteway, Lenovo's ThinkServer segment product manager.
They are aimed at providing a low-cost platform on which small businesses can start to virtualize their infrastructures. They feature embedded virtualization support technology from Intel, with capacity of up to 32 GB of RDIMM memory, enhanced management capabilities, and the option to purchase with embedded hypervisor technology from VMware, Petteway said.
They also include Lenovo ThinkVantage management software, which was developed from software used to manage the company's ThinkPad notebook PC line, as well as EasyManage management software based on technology from LANDesk, he said.
The new servers are expected to be available in mid-November, with all sales except for certain special bid projects going through indirect sales channels, he said.
The new servers are built using technology resulting from an agreement with IBM.
IBM and Lenovo in January of 2008 unveiled a four-year technology agreement under which IBM licensed its x86 server technology to Lenovo.
Lenovo, which in late 2004 acquired the PC Division of IBM, including the ThinkPad line of mobile PCs, already sold its own line of x86-based servers in China at the time of the server agreement with IBM, but used the IBM technology to expand its server reach worldwide.
Petteway said that Lenovo for now is focusing its server business on more entry-level models despite the availability of higher-end servers from its parent company, China-based Legend Holdings.
"We're ramping our server line now," he said. "We don't have plans for four-processor or blade servers yet. The SureServer line from Legend is only sold in China, while the ThinkServer line is sold elsewhere. However, we're in discussions to leverage technology on both sides."
