IBM renames and revamps iSeries

IBM's former AS/400 range has had another makeover to become the System i5

IBM has announced a major update to its iSeries business computers with new models that use its latest 2.2GHz Power5+ chip.

IBM has also updated the iSeries operating system to provide better security and disaster recovery features, and has widened the range of xSeries Windows-based server systems that can be integrated into the iSeries platform.

Analysts said the moves, which include renaming the range as System i5, makes the mid-range server platform more attractive than ever. “There are lots of new features to increase the appeal of the platform,” said Tony Lock of analyst firm Bloor Research. “The operating system continues to advance, and it’s already one of the most advanced that there is.”

There is a broad range of applications both for the System i5 operating system, and for IBM’s AIX Unix and Linux, all running on the same hardware and managed from the one machine, Lock added.

Mark Shearer, IBM System i5 general manager, said, “Fifty-seven percent of IBM server customers use iSeries systems. A key part of the i5 value proposition is the ability to integrate multiple workloads and multiple operating systems in a single environment. We’re making price/performance enhancements and new features like the Accelerator for System i5 [a capacity-on-demand option] that are going to make it much more financially attractive for firms to use the i5.”

Lock emphasised that the System i5 is not just for big businesses. “Even relatively small enterprises could benefit, depending on the business requirements. If high-availability, security, and good resource usage are requirements then the i5 is ideally suited,” he said.

Shearer argued that the i5 approach is significantly cheaper than the use of industry-standard server software, such as Windows. “Over 30 IT analysts last year said the cost of running apps in an iSeries environment could be up to 50 percent less than in an industry- standard environment.”

The System i5 is perhaps best known as a platform for high-end Lotus Notes systems, but Lock said it can perform a variety of roles.

“Domino has been one of the mainstays for the platform over its lifetime,” Lock said. “But the i5 is capable of supporting a huge range of applications. For example, SAP or almost any other enterprise application can be hosted on it.”