Leaders Of The Pack

The IBM eServer 326 is based on AMD’s latest Opteron processors with HyperTransport technology. If performance warrants it, the e326 can be configured with two dual-core Opteron processors with dual 1-Mbyte Level 2 caches. The server will accommodate up to 16 Gbytes of memory. This is an ideal server for running 64-bit applications, and it can easily tackle multithreaded applications that require extensive memory addressability.

Dual integrated Gigabit Ethernet controllers are standard, so the eServer 326’s two PCI-X slots are available for expansion purposes. Two slimline hard drives provide a maximum capacity of 600 Gbytes with hot-swap SCSI drives or 320 Gbytes with fixed Serial ATA drives.

In addition, Neterion’s second-generation Xframe II 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapters, which are available as options, deliver true line-rate 10-Gbps throughput to handle extreme network traffic. An integrated IPMI 1.5-compliant system management processor allows one or many of the e326 servers to be controlled locally or remotely.

IBM’s PartnerWorld channel program offers comprehensive technical support, training and consulting, with a dedicated Web portal for partners. Hardware margins typically range from 5 percent to 10 percent, but solution providers generate more revenue by providing consulting and integration services. IBM’s midmarket services, such as Web hosting, security, e-mail hosting and e-commerce, generate ongoing profits. —Marc Spiwak