First time I've heard the Celeron mentioned for server use...
John
"Server appliances" threaten
manufacturers' revenues
By Stephen Shankland
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
July 7, 1999, 4:00 a.m. PT
news analysis Compaq debuted some of its new "server appliances," systems built
around a single goal, like speed or low cost, in a way that could radically
undermine the server business.
As previously reported, Compaq's TaskSmart C-series server is the first of a coming wave
of systems intended to do a specific job either faster or more cheaply than a general
purpose server. The C-series is specialized for Internet "caching," a technique that
quickens Web surfing by temporarily storing files closer to users.
Other server appliances will be focused on price, in much the same way that PC makers
design low-cost systems for buyers who don't need every last ounce of computing muscle
for common software applications. In the server segment, this portends cheap Intel Celeron
processors running freely available Linux operating system software.
Such servers could become a problem for manufacturers, if general purpose server sales
start to decline as customers find they can make do with better-tailored machines.
Nonetheless, most major companies will soon jump into the market, afraid to ignore
perceived demand.
Analysts predict as much. "It's going to be a riot," said Kim Brown, a Dataquest analyst.
The TaskSmart C-series, which uses for its operating system
a customized version of Novell Netware, starts at $9,999,
Compaq said.
Other TaskSmart systems are in the pipeline, focusing on
tasks such as setting up virtual private networks or easily
upgrading data storage capacity. Compaq is focusing on
making the products easy to use.
Dell also has licensed the same Internet caching software
from Novell, while Hewlett-Packard too has described plans
for some Internet appliances, perhaps based on Linux.
Indeed, the "open source" OS is already in use in server
appliances from companies such as Cobalt Networks.
"We think Linux is going to have most of its appeal in the
appliance market," said Brown.
One well-known example of a server appliance is the "Raw Iron" project from Oracle, which
puts the company's database software atop Sun Microsystems' Solaris operating system.
Intel and Microsoft also are investing in the server appliance arena.
IBM is taking a different strategy, placing stronger emphasis on general purpose servers,
executives have said. In June, Big Blue bought up Whistle, a company that builds an
inexpensive, all-purpose server for email, Web surfing, and other Internet services.
The Whistle boxes are geared toward small companies such as the offices of dentists or
lawyers. IBM sees them as a good way to sell services--in this case, connection to the
Internet--to the small and medium-sized business market.
For most manufacturers, however, "cannibalized" sales aren't a cheery prospect, given
data from International Data Corporation showing that Compaq's server revenues aren't
keeping pace with its lead in Intel-based server shipments. Mary McDowell, general
manager of Compaq's Industry Standard Server Division, acknowledged the problem in a
recent interview.
Because the arrival of server appliances threatens the bottom line, server manufacturers
and Intel will likely have to beef up their high-end products, Brown said.
"Celeron is overkill for the processor, and Linux is free. Who needs SIMD instructions for a
file servers?" he asked, referring to the new multimedia and 3D instructions available on
high-end Intel chips. A more sensible chip for most appliance needs would be Intel's
StrongARM, available for $20 or $30, or even 233-MHz Pentium II chips for $15 or $25,
Brown said.
"These guys have to scramble out from under the appliances as quick as they can," Brown
said. But at the same time, if they don't have an appliance product, they'll be even worse
off. "If they ignore [appliances], they'll really get slaughtered."
The TaskSmart C-Series is available in three models, the C1200R, C1500R, and C2000R,
all of them rack-mountable, a space-saving configuration. The C1200R and C1500R are
available now, and the C2000R is scheduled to arrive later this month.
The different models are distinguished by the number of network cards they can use, how
much memory they have, how many hard disks come with the box, and what fancier data
protection features are supported. The C2000R can use as many as five Ethernet cards
and up to six 9.1GB hard disks, and comes with 1GB of memory.
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