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Intel launches new server

Seeking to make the management of connected PCs easier, Intel launches a new server platform centered on its LANDesk enterprise management technology.

Brooke Crothers Former CNET contributor
Brooke Crothers writes about mobile computer systems, including laptops, tablets, smartphones: how they define the computing experience and the hardware that makes them tick. He has served as an editor at large at CNET News and a contributing reporter to The New York Times' Bits and Technology sections. His interest in things small began when living in Tokyo in a very small apartment for a very long time.
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Brooke Crothers
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Seeking to make the management of connected PCs easier, Intel (INTC) today launched a new server platform centered on its LANDesk enterprise management technology.

The "manageable, scalable" servers are offered as uniprocessor, dual-processor, or four-way systems. They come with built-in management capabilities and LANDesk server monitor software.

The core technology behind this initiative is the Desktop Management Interface (DMI), a standard developed by the Desktop Management Task Force. The DMTF comprises a group of industry vendors, including Intel, which spearheaded the initiative.

Intel officials said their goal is to allow heterogeneous network management based on a common DMI hardware and software. "These boards have DMI hooks and interfaces built in," said Mike Aymar, vice president and general manager of Intel's Desktop Products Group. "A true DMI instrumented motherboard for a modern-day computing solution."

The RC440FXUP is a uniprocessor configuration and comes with either a 166- or 200-MHz Pentium Pro processor with 256KB or 512KB of level-2 cache. The system also includes 512MB of high-data-integrity error-correcting (ECC) memory, a network interface card, integrated SCSI, an expandable chassis, six-bay drive array, and 100-megabit Ethernet.

The BB440FXDP is a dual-processor system using 166- or 200-MHz Pentium Pros with 1,024MB of ECC memory. The AP450GXMP can take up to four processors and packs 4GB of ECC memory, hot replaceable drive arrays, and redundant power and cooling subsystems.

Aymar gave various examples of what can be accomplished with this server platform.

Fault management is one of the critical technologies supplied by these LANDesk-ready servers, according to Aymar. Problems such as an inoperable server fan or excessively high (more than 90 percent) processor utilization on a server can be fixed by a systems manager operating remotely.

Managers can also query systems and then update drivers if necessary. Asset management, another feature, can show how many systems are up and running and when users boot up and who needs new software, Aymar said.

Intel said it plans to sell these systems to OEM computer-supplier customers. No pricing was given.

Some servers, such as the four-way system, are available starting today. Others, such as the uniprocessor server, will be available next month.

Intel is an investor in CNET: The Computer Network.