IBM upgrades storage virtualization software
IBM Corp. is preparing to ship the next iteration of its storage virtualization software with extended data replication capabilities. The software, which together with a hardware component makes up IBM’s SAN Volume Controller (SVC), is designed to help storage administrators pool and centrally manage disparate disk arrays within a SAN to improve application storage utilization. With version 4.1 of its SAN Volume Controller software, IBM has added its Global Mirror technology, which replicates data asynchronously over extended distances for business continuity and disaster recovery purposes. It also adds support for 4 gigabits per second SAN fabrics and extends support for additional disk and server systems. IBM says it can now virtualize data on 80 different disk systems.
Availability: Available June 23 Pricing: Starts at US$42,500 URL: www.ibm.com
HP unveils SMB storage
HP has expanded its entry into the SMB storage market with the introduction of three storage arrays and new data protection software. The company announced a virtual library system, a tape library and software for HP ProLiant servers. The HP StorageWorks Virtual Library System 1002i (VLS1002i) is aimed at small businesses and remote or branch offices in large enterprises. It stores as much as 1.5 TB of uncompressed data or twice that amount, 3 TB, of compressed data. The HP StorageWorks MSL4048 tape library is designed for multi-site businesses that do not have dedicated IT support. It stores as much as 19.2 TB of data. In addition, the HP ProLiant Data Protection Storage Server (DPSS), which is based on Microsoft’s System Center Data Protection Manager software, now offers the ability to back up DPSS replicas and systems, as well as an automated disaster recovery option.
Availability: Available now Pricing: A 1.5TB VLS1002i with Data Protector Express software is US$6,100, the ML4048 starts at US$1,300 URL: www.hp.com
Salesforce.com launches AppExchange OEM Edition
Spreading its tentacles in ever more directions, Salesforce.com has announced a new service dubbed AppExchange OEM Edition. The OEM version of the AppExchange service will allow non-CRM on-demand service providers to use the Salesforce.com platform. The OEM edition will allow third-party SaaS providers to leverage the core aspects of the Salesforce.com platform, including the operating system, customization tools, Web Service APIs, workflow and logic, according to Kendall Collins, vice-president of product marketing. A real estate management ISV building, for example, would be able to use the Salesforce dashboard and customize it for real estate rather than building its own dashboard.
Availability: Available now Pricing: Will be priced at US$25 per user per month, and users will be responsible for pricing and availability of their solutions URL: www.salesforce.com
Rugged, Bluetooth-enabled Mike phone
Telus and Motorola Canada have introduced the Motorola i605, a ruggedized Mike phone enabled with Bluetooth wireless technology that allows Mike users to exchange data with compatible Bluetooth devices within a range of 10 metres. Designed for field-service, construction, transportation and government clients, the Motorola i605 is GPS-capable and has a rubberized monolith design that meets military specifications for resistance to dust, shock and vibration. It also has a large 262K-colour display, which minimizes glare for outdoor use and allows users to view up to 14 lines of text without scrolling. The device weighs in at 167 grams.
Availability: Available now Pricing: $349.99 on a 3-year contract or $499.99 with no contract URL: www.telus.com
New Dell workstations raise the speed limit
Dell has announced a new generation of performance workstations that the company said is capable of handling demanding applications up to 155 per cent faster than its predecessor. The Dell Precision 690 and 490 workstations feature dual-core Intel Xeon technology, a new, faster and more scalable memory architecture designed to enable customers who work with massive data sets to more easily manipulate and manage workloads and images. The graphics capabilities of the Dell Precision 690 and 490 workstations have also been enhanced. The Dell Precision 690-1KW workstation features an optional dual-graphics riser card that combines two NVIDIA SLI graphics cards for increased performance and visual quality.
Availability: Available now Pricing: Precision 490 starts at US$1,749, Precision 690 is priced from US$1,999. URL: www.dell.com/precision
Network Chemistry launches wired wireless watcher
Network Chemistry, a mobile security vendor, has unveiled one of the first solutions targeted at companies enforcing an on-campus no-wireless policy. RFprotect Scanner will give network administrators control over scanning, threat prioritization and alerts in addition to the capability of automatically disabling rogue devices. For device identification, the solution also includes a database, Collaborative Device Classification database, of more than 300 access point manufacturers and more than 10,000 wireless infrastructure devices. Network Chemistry will open source the complete database as RogueScanner. RFprotect scans all devices that are connected to the network in order to identify rogue access points. It also compares deployed corporate devices against the complete database of network infrastructure devices in the database.
Availability: RogueScanner can be downloaded now, RFprotect Scan available Q3 Pricing: RogueScanner is a free download, RFprotect Scan pricing not available URL: www.networkchemistry.com
Sony shows smallest Vaio PC yet
For the first time in two years, Sony Corp. is updating its Vaio U ultra-compact PC line with a new model that is the smallest Vaio yet developed, the company said. The UX50 packs a Windows XP-based PC into a case about the size of a paperback book. Like previous models it has a touchscreen display and this model’s screen slides up to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard underneath. Other features include an Intel Centrino Core Solo U1300 (1.06GHz) processor, 512 MB of memory, a 30 GB hard-disk drive, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, a built-in camera, fingerprint sensor and reader for FeliCa contactless smart cards. It measures 150 mm by 32 mm by 95 mm and weighs 520 grams.
Availability: North American availability in July Pricing: US$1,800 URL: www.sony.com
Lexmark targets enterprise market
Lexmark recently introduced new scanner and laser printing products aimed at the enterprise market. The Lexmark 4600 scanner allows users to add copy, scan, e-mail and fax functionality to their current printers. It has a legal-size flatbed scanner with single-pass, duplex scanning capabilities in colour and monochrome and comes standard with enterprise-level security features such as disk wiping, IPSec, SSL and encryption. Also new are the Lexmark X646ef and X646em laser printer bundles, which include the new 4600 scanner, a T644dtn laser printer, and finishing capabilities such as stapling/sorting or a five-bin mailbox. The multifunction printers feature a standard scan preview function to allow users to view a scanned document before it is processed, and feature a USB port to allow users to scan to or print PDFs and images from a USB flash storage device directly from the operating panel.
Availability: Available this month Pricing: 4600 suggested at $2,949, X646ef at $5,399, X646em at $4,999 URL: www.lexmark.com
AMD seeks desktop business with efficient chips
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) is hoping to take a bite out of Intel Corp.’s market share by selling energy-efficient versions of its desktop processors. The company has released energy-efficient versions of three chip designs: the Athlon 64 X2 dual core and the Athlon 64 and Sempron single cores. The new chips will cost about five per cent more than AMD’s standard desktop chips, but AMD said customers will make up that difference through electricity savings. Running at top speed, AMD’s standard desktop processors draw 89 watts, while the new line of energy-efficient chips will need either 65 or 35 watts, depending on the model. PC vendors could use the chips to design smaller, quieter computers, since the improved performance-per-watt means they can use smaller, slower fans for cooling.
Availability: Models are shipping now. URL: www.amd.com
HP introduces five business notebooks
Hewlett-Packard Co. has unveiled five business notebooks. The smallest is the HP Compaq nc2400 Notebook PC, which is less than one inch thick and weighs less than three pounds. It includes a full-size keyboard and an internal optical disc drive. The company also rolled out the HP Compaq nc6400 Notebook PC, which uses Intel’s Core Duo processor and can be equipped with modules for two types of 3G mobile data modules. EV-DO and HSDPA modules will follow. Also new is the HP Compaq 4400 Series, which converts from a notebook to a tablet PC and uses the Core Duo Processor. HP also unveiled two systems with 15.4-inch-wide-screen displays, the nx7400 and the 8400 series.
Availability: All are available now. Pricing: The nc2400 and 8400 at US$1,599, the 4400 at US$1,640, the nc6400 at US$1,549, and the nx7400 at US$749 URL: ww.hp.com
CA releases new modeling tool
CA Inc. has released a new version of its AllFusion Modeling Suite, which was created to simplify the design, implementation and analysis of complex database and data warehouse apps. Enhancements to the r7 release include support for Oracle10 and 9i databases, a redesigned Complete Compare function to analyze the potential impact of design changes and the ability to reuse components within the suite. The new version features a data modeling engine.
Availability: Available now URL: www.ca.com
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