September 25, 2000

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Windows 2000 Datacenter Ready To Roll

Systems vendors ready packages of servers, storage, and services, but are users read to buy?

By Aaron Ricadela

More on Microsoft servers:

Network Computing: Migrating to Microsoft Active Directory Services (9/18/00) InternetWeek: Domino's Hikes NT Server Reliability (9/18/00) InternetWeek: Servers (9/11/00)

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even months after it launched Windows 2000, Microsoft says sales of the operating system have met expectations. Desktop upgrades continue apace, while companies are installing the server software mainly on file, Web, and departmental database servers. But adoption for customer-facing apps has been mediocre, according to the vendor.

"How's Windows 2000 doing? From a financial standpoint, it's meeting our expectations," says Mark Perry, director of Windows 2000 Server product management. "We've seen a tremendous amount of file-and-print services deployed. We're seeing a slightly lower adoption rate on infrastructure." After six months of planning, Perry says, companies are ready to roll out more Windows 2000 client and server systems.

This week, Microsoft takes the wraps off Windows 2000 Datacenter Server, which aims to power Windows customers' most-robust Web-commerce and data-analysis needs. Systems vendors including Compaq, Dell, IBM, and Unisys plan to unveil packages of Datacenter-powered servers, storage, and services that start at around $100,000.

Microsoft CFO John Connors recently said the vendor wants to increase sales of Windows 2000 Advanced Server, which is designed to run enterprise resource planning and Web applications, so that it represents a higher percentage of deployments. Windows 2000 Datacenter Server--considered a high-priced, lower-volume product--supports up to 32 CPUs and 64 Gbytes of memory, though most vendors will initially supply the system on eight-way servers.

IBM this week plans to start shipping its eight-way Netfinity 8500R running Datacenter Server, along with storage options including its Shark Enterprise Storage Server, for $100,000 to $110,000, a source close to the vendor says. IBM also reportedly plans to ship NUMA-Q systems running Datacenter Server early next year. IBM declined to comment.

Dell will begin taking orders next week for its PowerEdge 8450 server running Datacenter Server, packaged with PowerVault storage servers and service offerings, says product manager Charlie Neet. Systems are due for delivery in November. Compaq and Unisys plan also to make available Datacenter Server systems with up to 32 CPUs, based on a Unisys chipset.

But most customers are occupied with Microsoft's current offerings. "You need to give new technology time to settle," says Cath Evans, a senior systems engineer at Eastman Chemical Co., a $4.59 billion manufacturer in Kingsport, Tenn. Eastman is moving its Windows NT servers to Windows 2000 for running its desktop infrastructure and SAP system, but runs the data warehouse behind its Web-commerce site on an Oracle database and mainframe hardware. Says Evans, "The proof isn't in the pudding yet for Microsoft's enterprise products."

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