Fujitsu Adds Xeon E5 To Primergy Servers – Modularity, Remote Management And Dynamic Infrastructures

Fujitsu Primergy Highlights

• Introduces 7 new servers in a variety of form factors for its CX, BX, RX and TX server families
• Includes universal I/O and RAS memory features
• Has common power supplies for RX and TX systems
• Has updated ServerView and VIOM systems management and server deployment suites
• Focuses on channel-friendly remote management and modularity
• Fits the new machines into its Dynamic Infrastructures model
• Should be particularly successful in Japan and Asia Pacific

It’s been some time since we reviewed Fujitsu servers – but wanted to do so again now has added the new Xeon E5 processor to its server line. You’ll want to look at the new machines and how they fit with its particularly well thought-out data centre strategy.

What Is Fujitsu Announcing?

There are seven new machines in Fujitsu’s Primergy portfolio. In particular:

• CX400 SI – a ‘4in2U’ 2U rack-mounted server incorporating four independent physical server nodes and up to 24 storage drives; the Xeon E5-2600 is used in the CX250 S1 server node and will be joined later by the CX270 for HPC markets and application environments requiring coprocessor acceleration, and entry-level CX210
• BX920 S3 – this is a 2-socket blade including the Xeon E5-2400 processor, with modular storage connectivity on-board, universal I/O via its Converged Network Adapter and RAS memory features; it is described as a ‘multi-purpose quality’ machine and positioned for virtualisation and Cloud, Infrastructure services, ERP, CRM and HPC
• BX924 S3 – a blade similar to the BX920 S3, but using the Xeon E5-2600 processor; it includes high bandwidth memory and a large number of memory slots; described as a ‘high-end virtualizer’, its higher spec makes it appropriate for small database applications
• RX200 S7 – a 1U rack mounted server with 1 or 2 Xeon E5-2600 processors; it includes redundant features and new power supplies which are up to 94% more efficient
• RX300 S7 – a 2U ‘virtualisation powerhouse’ based on the Xeon E5 2600 and with a broad range of configuration options for HDDs and LTO drives and good upgrade options
• RX350 S7 and TX300 S7 – blade servers based on the Xeon E5 2600; the first is in a rack-mounted chassis, while the second is available in 2 distinct tower configurations; both are designed for consolidation projects and HPC and fit for medium sized database use

In addition to the servers themselves Fujitsu offers its ServerView suite, designer to provide easy-to-use systems management and can be used to manage other vendors’ servers. Its Virtual I/O Manager (VIOM) cuts deployment time significantly, while it also includes innovative power management, which automatically switches from ‘minimum’ power to ‘best performance’ mode automatically. Its PowerSafeguard guarantees lowest energy consumption with full PSU redundancy. The RX and TX systems use common 450W and 800W PSUs, which reduce logistical and maintenance costs.

The New Servers Fit With Fujitsu’s Dynamic Infrastructures

Fujitsu has done a lot of planning to break through the typical data centre bottlenecks involved with providing separate environments in server, storage and network administration by developing its Dynamics Infrastructures model (see Figure 1). The configurations required by users are defined on a logical level, with the system automatically configured and provisioned through virtualisation software. The extra memory, disk storage and network capabilities of the new servers will enhance the physical architecture, described as the Global Resource Pool in its architecture. Its focus on automated management, upgradability and energy efficiency are particularly relevant to the pooling of servers.

Modularity And Remote Service For The Channel

Historically Fujitsu has operated more through direct channels than many other vendors, so it’s good to see it modifying its approach in recent years for the channel. In particular:

• It introduced its modular server concept with the launch of its Dual S7, which is particularly useful for its channel partners since it allows its offerings to be extensively tailored at a very granular level. Its design is to allow channel assembly of state of the art technology within forward-compatible and upgradeable platforms
• It has also updated its ServerView focusing on its use by SMB and channel partners. Since its introduction of the Primergy Dual S5 Fujitsu has added service concepts such as field-replaceable units and its AIS (Automatic Identification System) Connect. This latter offering is a free software tool which allows a lot of server maintenance to be done remotely. It monitors and reports configuration, inventory and health status and shortens downtime in case of system failure. Clearly this is an advantage to channel operations as it cuts down the number of site visits made to their customers.

It may seem a contradiction in terms, but the ability to provide remote hardware maintenance is of great value and allows savings to made in travel and time.

Fujitsu’s Server Sales Are Strong In Asia Pacific and EMEA

Like Hitachi, Fujitsu is a long-term server supplier. It sells Sparc machines through its long-term partnership with Sun and has its mainframes are still used by Japanese organisations. It also sold Itanium servers, although we believe this is a very small business for them now. In recent years we have seen it move more strongly into the x86 market, which we estimate accounted for 59% of its $1.8B business in 2011.
Fujitsu has a server market share of around 3% worldwide according to ITCandor (see Figure 3). Its business in EMEA was strengthened by its acquisition of Siemens’ share of FSC in 2008. In Japan and Asia Pacific it is in 2^nd and 4^th position respectively according to our research, making it a vital supplier for bringing Intel’s new processor to market.

Some Conclusions – A More Coherent Approach

Fujitsu is a mid-range server vendor, but a big systems player through its involvement in storage, networking, professional services, outsourcing and Cloud Computing. This announcement includes a focus on the channel similar to that of the big American suppliers. Its modular design and remote management concepts are well thought out and appropriate to a market in which the introduction of a new processor such as the Xeon E5 can deliver very significant improvements over its predecessor.
It has also thought out the role these new machines will play within its Dynamic Architectures model, focusing on ease-of-management, upgradability and energy efficiency. As the other Intel OEMs it is fitting this 2-socked processor into blades, rack-mounted servers and tower configurations. We’ll be watching its success with the new machines closely.