HP Launches 64-Bit Integrity Servers
HP has introduced a powerful line of servers based on Intel Corp.'s new Itanium 2 1.5-gigahertz processor, intending to redefine data center economics by delivering up to $1 million in total three-year cost savings over IBM servers. The new 64-bit HP Integrity servers now combine with the 32-bit ProLiant servers to form a potent lineup.
The Integrity family ranges from one- and two-processor entry-level systems up to a 64-processor HP Integrity Superdome server, and offers customers an "unmatched" cost-efficient, high-performance, multi-operating system infrastructure. HP's Itanium 2-based systems are backed by a broad network of more than 700 applications from major independent software vendors in both commercial and technical arenas.
Bolstering the company's portfolio, HP is upgrading select HP ProLiant servers with the latest Intel Xeon processor MP.
"Today is the day Itanium-based systems move mainstream," said Peter Blackmore, evp, HP Enterprise Systems Group. "Customers no longer need to choose between high-performance computing and industry-standard economics."
As the foundation for its standards-based server strategy, HP intends to maintain two long-term industry-standard architectures, IA-32 and IA-64/Itanium. HP is upgrading the HP ProLiant DL560, DL580, ML570, DL740 and DL760 servers and ProLiant BL40p blade server with the Intel Xeon processor MP at speeds of up to 2.8 GHz with expected availability in mid-July running Windows and Linux.
HP boasts that its HP Integrity Superdome server is the world's fastest commercial processing machine with price/performance superior to each of its high-end competitors and comes in 16-, 32- and 64-processor configurations.
The four-processor HP Integrity rx5670 and two-processor HP Integrity rx2600 entry-level servers have been upgraded with the Intel Itanium 2 processor with 6 MB of level 3 cache and also demonstrate industry-leading performance. HP also plans to introduce midrange Integrity systems with eight and 16 processors in the fall and an Itanium 2-based NonStop offering in 2004.
The Integrity servers run the industry's leading UNIX operating system, HP-UX11i, as well as Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition and Datacenter Edition and Linux. The HP OpenVMS operating system is planned to be available with the full line of Integrity servers next year. Customers can buy HP Integrity servers with one operating system today and redeploy with a different operating system in the future, allowing them to better protect their IT investments.
The Integrity Superdome server is the first server that can run UNIX, Windows and Linux simultaneously on a single system. This capability further enhances choice, flexibility and investment protection. Customers can now consolidate resources from heterogeneous environments, increasing scalability, availability and performance with fewer resources, resulting in even better return on IT.
Complementing the new HP Integrity servers is a broad portfolio of HP StorageWorks systems, including disk arrays, tape libraries and storage-area-network infrastructure solutions, which provide customers with single-vendor accountability for high availability, simplified management and improved return on IT.
In addition, HP Services provides a full set of lifecycle services to help companies evolve to HP Integrity systems, including the option to quickly and cost-effectively scale their IT environments through HP's Instant Capacity on Demand offerings.
HP's Customer Evolution Program builds on HP Services' capabilities, adding financial incentives, tools, training and partners to offer HP's installed customers a smooth and cost-effective path to Itanium when they choose to take advantage of HP Integrity systems.
Strengthening the robust network behind Itanium, HP expects more than 1,000 commercial and technical software applications to be available for its Itanium-based systems by the end of the year.
The HP Integrity Superdome servers are available now with estimated prices starting at $262,000. The HP Integrity rx5670 and rx2600 entry-level servers are also available now orderable now at $21,500 and $7,300, respectively. The HP Workstation zx6000 is available at $4,896.
Palo Alto, California-based HP (www.hp.com) offers solutions spanning IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing for consumers, enterprises and small and medium business.