IBM's 64-Bit, 8-Way Server Runs Unix, Linux SimultaneouslyIBM's 64-Bit, 8-Way Server Runs Unix, Linux Simultaneously

IBM on Monday unveiled an eight-way server based on a new 64-bit processor; the server is designed to run AIX and Linux, demonstrating the company's commitment to Linux even as a potential alternative to its AIX version of Unix.

In an interview, the company played up that commitment and contrasted it with rival Sun Microsystems, which is taking a more conservative approach to Linux, particularly as it relates to Sun's Solaris version of Unix. "Sun has stayed far away from Linux on Sparc," says Scott Handy, IBM's director of Linux solutions marketing.

IBM's new eServer p650 is the first server to be based on IBM's Power4+; the chip is available in the p650 in 1.2- and 1.45-GHz versions. The server offers up to eight partitions. It's designed to run the AIX 5L operating system, including version 5.2, and a 64-bit-version of Linux when it becomes available from a Linux distributor. IBM expects that availability sometime in the first half of next year.

Pricing for the IBM eServer p650 starts at $29,995 for a two-way configuration. Availability is planned for Dec. 6.

"Linux is a disruptive play, and we're turning that up a notch," Handy says.

In other Linux news, IBM reports strong momentum in development of Linux applications by independent software developers for IBM platforms such as WebSphere and DB2. The company says 4,200 applications have been written this year with its WebSphere Studio, a Java/J2EE programming environment based on the open-source Eclipse technology from IBM. Handy says 33,000 developers have registered for use of the Eclipse-based development environment.