IBM Readies More Powerful Mainframe

IBM is out to prove its mainframes aren't dinosaurs. On Tuesday, it plans to introduce its newest mainframe computer, code-named T-Rex, which reportedly is capable of processing 450 million instructions per second--one-third more than IBM's most powerful current mainframe. IBM declined to comment.

The machine will be IBM's first new zSeries mainframe computer since the z800 last year. IBM reportedly plans to discuss new delivery and pricing options for small and midsize companies and a road map for transferring mainframe technology to RISC and Intel platforms to better compete with Sun Microsystems and Hewlett-Packard for IT contracts.

IBM reportedly also plans to discuss the mainframe's role in various computing scenarios. The company has been transferring zSeries hardware and system software technology for dealing with failover and load spikes to its iSeries and pSeries systems, so users can bring up spare processors, memory, disk space, and input/output channels when demand for computing power increases.

Sales of zSeries hardware were lower during IBM's first quarter, as companies deferred purchases in anticipation of T-Rex, IBM says. The total number of Mips shipped--a measure of those machines' power--increased 3%. Analysts estimate that mainframe sales accounted for about $3 billion of IBM's $81.2 billion in revenue last year.