IBM Readies Low-Cost Linux Servers

When it begins shipping on Feb. 18, the IBM eServer OpenPower 710 will be available as either a one- or two-way rackable server driven by IBM's 64-bit 1.65-GHz Power5 chips, according to IBM, Armonk, N.Y.

The 710 is designed to run either Novell SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9, or Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 3, according to IBM.

With the 710, IBM is looking to sway customers and VARs that may be considering the purchase of an entry-level Linux server from IBM rivals Hewlett-Packard or Sun Microsystems. IBM is billing the 710 as a discount work-horse, ideal for networks that support compute-intensive financial services, life sciences and government computing infrastructures.

Starting price for a base-model one-way 710 is $3,449. The price does not include the cost of the Linux operating system, but does include the processor, 1-GB of memory, a 73-GB disk drive, and DVD-ROM. Optional micro-partitioning functionality will also be available when the server begins to ship, according to IBM.