Dell launches Nehalem-based servers and storage

Dell will today launch some 14 server and workstation products based on Intel’s Nehalem architecture.

Among the releases are two blade servers (M610 and M710), two rack-mounted servers (R610 and R710) and one tower server (T610).

The PowerEdge R710 server starts from AUD$4,192.

The best performing server will boast 192Gb of memory - fast becoming a necessity for those organisations operating virtual machines.

The vendor claims the products are also more energy efficient.

Dell enterprise product manager Justin Boyd said "nothing even comes close" to the new server line in terms of performance per watt.

Dell also announced five storage arrays, three workstations (the T7500, T5500 and T3500) and a new management console built on Symantec's Altiris product.

Boyd said the new Dell Management Console is Dell's intellectual property, but is "powered by" Symantec's Altiris product.

It is the result of two-and-a-half years of development effort between the two companies.

The software provides a single console for tasks such as device discovery, bandwidth throttling, driver management and reporting across all Dell devices.

It will provide the same functionality for competitor's products via freely available plug-ins.

Dell Management Console aims to fill a sweet spot that lies between simple management tools such as IBM's Director and HP's Insight Manager and the more comprehensive HP OpenView and IBM Tivoli management products.

In tandem with the new products, Dell will be announcing a new set of modular services so customers can "pick and choose" service and support components.

Further pricing information will be made available on March 31.