Ultra-dense server blades
 
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Research firm IDC says that the use of servers based on the CompactPCI specification will explode by 2002 as more customers buy the rack-optimized servers.
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The CompactPCI extension to the PCI specification covers server blades - which are computers on a single motherboard that include the processor, memory, network connections and associated electronics. Server blades can measure from just over 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch high (1/3U to 1/2U), which is much smaller than the present 1U servers. They support a 64-bit bus. Server blades are typically built into enclosures that include power supplies and fans, allowing then to be easily replaced.
Examples of server blades are products from RLX Technologies and FiberCycle. RLX Technologies - a Houston start-up founded by some ex-Compaq executives - is making the Razor product, as yet to ship. FiberCycle makes a server blade called the WebBunker FC206I, which is useful for high-density Web serving and will ship this quarter. Both contain the low-power Transmeta Crusoe processor. The WebBunker FC206I contains six CPUs in 2U of space. It costs about $1,500 per blade.
Intel is working on server blade technology and demonstrated a 2U chassis that contained eight Pentium III processors, each with 1 G-byte of RAM; dual 10/100 Fast Ethernet adapters; 30 gigabytes of storage; and redundant power supplies and fans. All components were hot-pluggable and hot-swappable.
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Deni Connor is a senior editor at Network World covering storage, SANs, Novell and Novell-related products. You can reach her at dconnor@nww.com.
Servers archive
Past issues of Network World on Servers.
Former Compaq execs launch server company
Network World, 01/29/01
Compaq files suit against "Server Mafia"
IDG News Service, 03/01/01
Compaq's hyper-dense servers
Network World, 02/12/01
Dell unwraps space-saving data center servers
Network World, 04/02/01
Start-up looks to speed data delivery
Network World, 04/09/01
Microsoft rethinks Win 2000 lineup
Network World, 04/09/01
Okena fields software to prevent file tampering
Network World, 04/09/01
3Com improves NIC security features
Network World, 04/09/01
