IBM rocks boat with Regatta

IBM has revealed several new features that will go into its forthcoming Regatta server, the first in a new line of Unix servers, as it tries to claw back market share from HP and Sun.

The Regatta server will have mainframe-like features and will be powered by IBM's forthcoming Power 4 processor, in configurations of up to 32 processors. The chip, based on IBM's PowerPC RISC processor, combines two processor cores running at 1GHz or faster.

According to IBM, the Power 4 processor will allow for extra room in its Level 3 cache memory, so errors can be recognized and repaired by an auto fix system.

Regatta will have its own nervous system - a network of about 5,600 sensors that will monitor performance and overall system health.

Regatta has borrowed features from the company's Project eLiza, a set of self-management technologies designed to keep systems running in the event of errors, by taking affected components offline.

Andy Butler, VP at Gartner Dataquest, told silicon.com: "Regatta needs to be seen as a renaissance in IBM's Unix chapter." The company has tried to repair its image over the past two years, after it was overtaken by Sun and HP in the Unix server market.

IBM had a complex server strategy, where its four server divisions were not only competing against outside companies for new business, but were also competing against each other.

IBM's current high-end servers have a reputation for durability and good chip performance, but they do not support any kind of partitioning. The Regatta server, however, will support multiple systems.

"It will be a much more reliable system in real use," said Butler.

Regatta is designed to rival Sun Microsystems' forthcoming StarCat server, and is due out at the end of the fourth quarter of this year.