IBM puts blades in the backroom

Big Glue is taking a new approach with its next generation workstations. In the new design scheme, the core processing power of each workstation does not sit next to your desk but in your company's data room. And unlike previous attempts, IBM has integrated a new hardware compression card into the blades which provides high resolution graphics over an Ethernet connection.

The HC10 workstations are designed to fit into IBM's BladeCenter chassis. Each blade will currently support dual-core Intel processors, but shortly after the launch support for quad core will follow. Each system comes with an Nvidia Quadro FX 1600m based graphics card, which is in a mobile PCI Express size. The HC10 uses a standard 2.5-inch SATA 60GB hard drive. SAS, support is planned for a future revision. The only noticeable downside on the HC10s is that they are currently limited to 8GBs of DDR-2 memory.

The console component was designed by a company called Devon IT for IBM. Connections on the backside of the console support dual DVI video output, two USB ports, Marvell gigabit Ethernet, as well as audio out and microphone port.

On the front of the box, there are connections for two USB ports as well as an audio out port. An external power supply unit will keep the desktop clutter down to a minimum. The hardware-based compression employed is designed to work on a 10/100 Fast Ethernet network, but will support gigabit Ethernet.

An upcoming blade centre chassis for the SMB market supports for five blades as well as a storage component. It is scheduled release by the end of the year.

IBM has a target price of $2500 for a standard configuration of the blade, and $300 for each console and. The HC10 is scheduled to begin shipping in September 2007. µ