IBM has unveiled a new server that uses four Intel processors and scales up to 32. The system, which is built for "always-on" computing environments such as financial services, government and healthcare, can handle virtualization applications from VMware, in addition to ERP and CRM.
The xSeries 460 machine is a multi-node box, which means users can use scalability cables to connect up to seven additional chassis. This provides the 32-way support punch. When Intel ships its first dual core processors in the future, the x460 will support up to 64 processors.
Estimated to be some 60 percent faster than the older x445 model, the new x460 offers large cache performance, systems manageability and simultaneous support for 32- and 64-bit applications.