IBM expands on-demand processing with 'Virtual Servers'

By Alun Williams

Posted on 1 Oct 2003 at 10:39

Virtual Server Services are IBM's latest boost to its support for on-demand computing.

The idea is that users tap into 'virtual servers' running on IBM eServer xSeries, pSeries and iSeries systems - in a separate hosting environment - and pay only for the computing power and capacity they require.

IBM claims that it is the first vendor to offer a choice of Intel-based, Unix-based, or Linux-based systems for the on-demand delivery of server and network capacity.

'On demand businesses require secure, flexible environments to deploy critical applications and services,' said Jim Corgel, general manager of IBM e-business Hosting Services. 'We are addressing this need by providing customers with a comprehensive, scalable virtual service, on multiple technology platforms, to help them reduce costs and compete better.'

The idea is to help avoid unnecessary investments in unused computing resources, thus helping to reduce the costs of computer systems.

According to IBM, customers will be charged a one-time setup fee, and this will be supplemented by variable monthly charges for the actual computing capacity consumed.

Grid computing is well and truly in the news because it was only yesterday that we covered the project at CERN for physicists to deploy a worldwide computing grid.

CERN's grid - the LCG - will initially be used to process results from its Large Hadron Collider, which will 'probe the nature of matter' by smashing protons into each other.

Eventually, said Les Robertson, project manager, the grid will enable CERN 'to harness the power of scientific computing centres wherever they may be to provide the most powerful computing resource the world has to offer'.

See also:

HP goes big on grids

IBM spreads grid computing to WebSphere

IBM announces grid computing for Linux