Server Size Shrinks While Power Grows

STRATUS FTSERVER W SERIES 2300
Stratus' new entry-level ftServer W Series 2300 is a small, fault-tolerant server that provides 99.999 percent uptime reliability. It's ideal for use at remote locations such as distribution centers, warehouses, branch offices and retail chains where round-the-clock system management is required. The ftServer is also ideal for small to midsize businesses that need to ensure the integrity and security of their data.

The W Series 2300 server is based on the Intel Xeon processor and supports Microsoft Windows 2003 Standard Edition. The unit consists of two identical servers built side-by-side on the same printed circuit board for excellent failover capability. The two servers run as one logical server, simultaneously processing the same instructions. In other words, the server has an always-on hot spare. If any component fails, the active spare continues normal operation without shutting down to protect against data loss. While this technology is extremely effective at saving mission-critical data, fault-tolerant servers are not cheap. The ftServer W Series 2300 costs $19,706.

The server houses a single 3.06GHz Intel Xeon processor with a 512-Kbyte Level2 cache and 533MHz front-side bus. It also includes a minimum of 1 Gbyte of memory, which is upgradable to a maximum of 4 Gbytes. Four 64-bit, 33MHz PCI slots are also featured, as well as a six-drive, three-channel, hot-swappable Serial ATA (SATA) RAID array. It also has two Gigabit Ethernet ports, three USB 2.0 ports and two serial ports. The rack-mountable version of the server measures 6.5 x 17.75 x 24 inches and weighs about 70 pounds.

Stratus' Virtual Technician Module (VTM) makes its debut in the W Series 2300 server. The VTM is a remote-access adapter with its own power and network connections. Running on its own, the VTM provides out-of-band system management even if the server is dead, allowing a technician to diagnose and correct any problems, even on a server that has completely failed. The W Series 2300 server also includes the capability to monitor its own operation and will even automatically order replacement parts if necessary.

The Stratus ftServer partner program consists of three levels: Partner, Premier Partner and Premier Partner Plus. Solution providers selling less than $750,000 a year qualify for the Partner level. Integrators selling between $750,000 and $1,500,000 qualify for Premier Partner status and anyone selling more than $1,500,000 earns Premier Partner Plus status. Margins average 20 percent but vary based on server model and accompanying services sold. Margins increase for partners selling service and maintenance contracts, and Stratus also offers opportunities for integrators to sell managed server monitoring services. Lead generation, sales and technical training, pricing promotions and joint marketing campaigns are also available. A quarterly newsletter keeps partners informed about company events and product enhancements. Stratus also provides a dedicated partner Web site. Technical support is provided 24x7 over the phone or online through a password-protected troubleshooting application.

SUN FIRE V40z
The Sun Fire V40z is a four-processor server based on the AMD Opteron processor with HyperTransport technology. The Sun Fire V40z is compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems and applications, making it easy for companies running 32-bit software to upgrade to 64-bit when necessary. The 3U rack-mount server includes redundant power and cooling, and RAID storage. The server has six drive bays, one of which can be used either for a combination floppy/CD-ROM drive or for a sixth hard drive. The V40z server is intended for processor-intensive applications in defense and military intelligence, bioengineering, financial modeling and seismic analysis, as well as more conventional applications such as file, Web and print servers and database management.

Sun sells the server without a preinstalled operating system. Solution providers are free to choose a server operating system that best fits a customer's needs, although Sun does offer the option to preinstall Solaris 9. Software support is also left up to integrators.

The Sun Fire V40z supports as many as four AMD Opteron 800 Series processors, types 844, 848 and 850. Each processor has its own memory bank and 128-bit-wide DDR memory controller. In base form, the V40z is a two-way server; a daughterboard installed in a compartment in front of the system adds two additional processors along with the memory banks and controllers for each processor. HyperTransport technology provides a high-speed connection between the processors and core logic. Storage is handled by as many as six hot-swappable Ultra320 SCSI disks for up to 876 Gbytes of storage. Other features include redundant hot-swappable power supply and cooling, two Gigabit Ethernet ports and seven PCI-X slots.

An on-board service processor runs independently from the main system and provides lights out management. The service processor enables control of remote power on/off, BIOS updates and more. The service processor has an NIC and automatically detects an IP address if connected to a DHCP server. This allows in-band and out-of-band remote management and the option to manage the server independently of the operating system.

The V40z reviewed by CRN Test Center engineers included four AMD Opteron Model 848 processors, 8 Gbytes of memory, two 73-Gbyte 10,000-rpm Ultra320 SCSI hard drives, dual redundant power supplies, dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, a service processor with two dedicated Ethernet management ports and the Solaris operating system for $21,495.

Sun's iForce Initiative channel program includes Foundation, Premier and Elite levels. Incentives and rewards vary based on a partner's certifications and program levels. Partners set their own margins. Sun offers product discounts, rebates and influence fees to help close deals. Co-marketing efforts, a dedicated partner Web site, technical, and sales training and support are provided.

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>Sun Fire V40z Server

COMPANY: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Santa Clara, Calif.
1-800-555-9SUN
www.sun.com
DISTRIBUTORS: GE Access, MOCA, Tech Data
WARRANTY: 3 years
AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS: Minimum Foundation-level certification
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

>Stratus ftServer W Series 2300

COMPANY: Stratus Technologies
Maynard, Mass.
(800) Stratus (800-787-2887)
www.stratus.com
DISTRIBUTORS: ACI Worldwide, AspenTech, Agfa
AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS: None
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

Note: Recommended status is earned with a score of eight stars out of 10