IBM on Tuesday introduced a blade server that supports CloudShield Technologies' software for real-time analysis of network traffic to prevent viruses and denial of service attacks.

The IBM BladeCenter PN41, unveiled at the ITU Telecom Asia conference and targeted at service providers and enterprise data centers, supports CloudShield's technology for examining packets of data streaming across the Internet or corporate networks. In addition, the technology makes it possible to prioritize network activity, such as video sharing, and Web traffic, to minimize end-user delays, IBM said.

"The IBM BladeCenter PN41 enables service providers to manage their network, security and telecommunications technology on a integrated platform," Jim Pertzborn, VP of telecommunications industry solutions for IBM Systems Group, said in a statement. "This integration can help service providers meet their customers' evolving requirements for data, voice and video services."

The new blade and software support are key components of IBM's hardware, software and services framework for service providers. The package also includes IBM's intrusion prevention technology and Tivoli Security Operations Manager.

IBM is building a technology "ecosystem" around the BladeCenter PN41 that can offer service providers a portfolio of integrated third-party technology. In the case of CloudShield, IBM is supporting its partner's Subscriber Services Manager and DNS Defender applications and its development environment.

The new server also supports Check Point's acceleration technology, such as SecureXL and CoreXL, to help high-end carriers and data centers increase the number of end-user connections they can handle, IBM said.

The BladeCenter PN41 is scheduled to be generally available next month. Pricing was not disclosed.

In a related note, InformationWeek Analytics has published its independent Blade Server Tech Report. The paper can be downloaded here (registration required).