IBM pushes Linux blades for telcos

IBM will integrate and support Linux and Unix AIX on new BladeCenter hardware

IBM today introduced the latest additions to its telecoms product portfolio with the unveiling of Power PC processor-based BladeCenter JS20 blades in the BladeCenter T chassis.

The company will integrate and support Linux and its own Unix AIX on the hardware, which is designed to support 32-bit and 64-bit processing of applications including databases, network and IT infrastructure, and high performance clustering.

Big Blue added that it is enhancing its Integrated Platform for Telecommunications which integrates preloaded distributions of carrier-grade Linux on BladeCenter and BladeCenter T.

The firm will also work with partners including Motorola and Fujitsu Siemens to integrate high-availability middleware conforming to Service Availability Forum Application Interface Specification and Hardware.

By integrating this middleware with Linux from Motorola, Fujitsu Siemens and Clovis, with systems management and services in an open, common solution framework, IBM claims to have created an ideal platform for telecoms companies.

Wendy Vittori, a corporate vice president and general manager at Motorola, said: "Our collaboration with IBM reflects the move to a commercial off-the-shelf computing infrastructure to support the convergence of enterprise and communications computing applications in the telecom industry."

In addition, SBS Technologies and IBM Engineering and Technology Services are developing an Advanced Mezzanine Card carrier blade for the BladeCenter range extending support robust I/O for transport plane intensive applications such as wireless and signalling gateways and the breadth of network interfaces used in the telecoms industry.