Apple Xserve doubles its performance

Thanks to a next-generation architecture and Intel Nehalem Xeon processors, Apple offers up to twice the performance of its previous system.

Apple today announced a new Xserve server that offers up to double the performance of the previous system. Based on Intel Nehalem Xeon processors and featuring next-generation system architecture, the new 1U height rackmount-optimized The new Xserve will be available with up to two 2.93 GHz Intel Starting at a price of around 2,800 euros, the new Xserve includes a Mac OS X Server version 10.5 Leopard license for access by an unlimited number of clients.

For Apple, this is the best workgroup server created by the apple company to date and includes Intel Using high-efficiency power supplies and intelligent thermal management, the new Xserve's idle power dissipation is reduced by 19 percent.

The Xserve includes an optional 128GB bootable SSD, which reduces power consumption to a fraction of that of a hard drive and has up to 48 percent faster random access time; Additionally, this SSD does not take up any of the storage drive bays. The Xserve's three 3.5-inch drive bays support both 7,200 rpm SATA drives and 15,000 rpm SAS drives, and can be configured with up to 3 TB of internal storage. Two PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slots provide enormous I/O bandwidth, capable of supporting the latest high-bandwidth expansion cards. The optional Xserve RAID Card now offers better performance that reaches, according to the manufacturer, up to 497 MB/s supporting RAID configurations of levels 0, 1 and 5 with 512 MB of cache, and without needing to occupy any of the precious PCI Express expansion slots. To optimize data protection, a 72-hour backup battery is included. Custom configuration options and accessories for the Xserve include: dual Intel Xeon processors at 2.26 GHz, 2.66 GHz or 2.93 GHz; Apple Drive Modules 160 GB and 1 TB 7200 rpm SATA storage modules; 450 GB 15,000 rpm SAS drives (option offered by third parties); Internal Xserve RAID card; 4 Gb Gigabit Ethernet and Fiber Channel cards and 750 W redundant power supply.

All Xserves come with a Leopard Server license for an unlimited number of client systems, providing support for Mac, Linux and Windows clients without the need for the additional cost of purchasing client access licenses. Leopard Server extends Apple's ease of use with Server Assistant and Server Preferences, which allow even non-technical users to quickly manage users and groups on the server and easily configure key services.