 "New IBM Software To Enhance Virtual Server Mgmt")
IBM has announced new systems software for managing virtualised servers, designed to help clients plan, build and maintain data centres while reducing costs. IBM is also helping clients protect their long-term investments in Power Systems by announcing an upgraded path to its next-generation servers that will include POWER7 microprocessors.
The new systems software – IBM Systems Director VMControl – gives clients a tool to manage heterogeneous virtual servers. It allows users to discover, display, monitor and locate virtual resources; create and manage virtual servers; and deploy and manage workloads with a common interface across IBM System z mainframes, System x x86-based servers, BladeCenter, and Power Systems AIX, Linux and i platforms.
The new IBM software provides lifecycle management of virtual servers, with its ability to create, modify and delete virtualised resources, as well as move them to other locations.
Protecting Client Investments in Power Systems Technology
IBM has also announced an upgrade path to the next-generation of Power Systems based on the POWER7 microprocessor.
A Power 595 or 570 system upgrade can be accomplished during planned downtime by simply replacing the processors, memory and system controllers with new POWER7 components within the existing system frame. POWER7 processors will offer two to three times the performance of POWER6 using the same amount of energy (and will be available in four, six and eight-core varieties).
For either system, once upgraded to POWER7, applications from POWER6 systems can be moved to the newly upgraded Power 595 or Power 570 servers using IBM’s PowerVM Live Partition Mobility or AIX Live Application Mobility software, without impacting availability of the applications.
The new POWER7-based systems will include PowerVM virtualisation enhancements, allowing clients to consolidate up to 1,000 virtual machines per system. The systems will use 45-nanometer technology for the new processor and will feature co-ordinated upgrades across other technology components, including firmware and systems software.