To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu.

    -----------------------------------------------

     This story was printed from CdrInfo.com,

     located at http://www.cdrinfo.com.

    -----------------------------------------------

Apple today announced an updated Xserve that delivers up to twice the performance of the previous system, using Intel "Nehalem" Xeon processors

The updated 1U rack-optimized Xserve delivers up to an 89 percent improvement in performance per watt, according to Apple. Xserve is available with up to two 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors and storage options that include a low-power solid state drive (SSD) and up to 3TB of internal storage. Starting at $2,999, Xserve includes an unlimited client license for Mac OS X Server version 10.5 Leopard.

The new Xserve includes Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 2.93 GHz, each with an integrated memory controller with three channels of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC memory that delivers up to 2.4 times the memory bandwidth while cutting memory latency up to 40 percent. Using high-efficiency power supplies and intelligent thermal management, Xserve delivers a 19 percent reduction in idle power use.

Xserve?s storage capabilities include a 128GB SSD boot-drive option that requires a fraction of the power of a hard disk and delivers up to 48 times faster random access times without occupying a drive bay. Xserve?s three 3.5 inch drive bays support both 7200 rpm SATA and 15,000 rpm SAS drives and can be configured with up to 3TB of internal storage. Two PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slots provide massive I/O bandwidth to support the latest high-bandwidth expansion cards. The Xserve RAID card option now delivers improved performance up to 497MB/s and supports RAID levels 0, 1 and 5 with 512MB of cache without using a valuable PCI Express expansion slot. A 72-hour backup battery is included for enhanced data protection.

Every Xserve ships with an unlimited client edition of Leopard Server, offering support for Mac, Linux and Windows clients without the added cost of client-access licenses. Leopard Server extends Apple?s ease of use with Server Assistant and Server Preferences, which allow even nontechnical users to quickly manage users and groups on the server and easily set up key services. Leopard Server includes Podcast Producer,; Wiki Server, allowing people to collaboratively create and modify their shared websites with just a few clicks; and iCal Server, the first commercial CalDAV standard-based calendar server. Leopard Server is fully UNIX compliant and LDAP and Active Directory support allows Xserve to fit right in to existing IT environments.

The Xserve standard configuration, with a suggested retail price of $2,999 (US), includes:

a single 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Xeon 5500 series processor with 8MB of fully shared L3 cache;
3GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC RAM;
a single 160GB 7200 rpm SATA Apple Drive Module;
dual Gigabit Ethernet on-board;
two PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slots;
Bonjour?-enabled Lights-Out Management processor and Server Monitor Software;
internal graphics with Mini DisplayPort output;
two FireWire 800 and three USB 2.0 ports; and
an unlimited client license for Mac OS X Server version 10.5 Leopard.

Build-to-order options and accessories for Xserve include: dual 2.26 GHz, 2.66 GHz or 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors; 160GB and 1TB 7200 rpm SATA Apple Drive Modules; 450GB 15,000 rpm SAS drives (third party option); internal Xserve RAID card; Gigabit Ethernet, 4Gb Fibre Channel cards and a 750W redundant power supply.