Intel Shows New IBM BladeCenter Blade With Next Generation Intel® Xeon® processor at Intel Developer Forum

As part of his keynote address today, Sean Maloney, General Manager at Intel, disclosed that IBM will soon have a 4 socket blade using the next generation Intel® Xeon® processor. The blade is based on IBM's next generation of X-Architecture, eX5. This new blade extends IBM’s influence in the fast growing high-end x86 marketplace, and opens up a range of new application environments for clients.

"We are excited to partner with Intel, bringing to market a differentiated offering that combines Intel's latest processor with the innovation of IBM's X-Architecture. The new BladeCenter demonstrates our commitment to delivering the latest technology while maximizing customers' existing infrastructure investments," said Alex Yost, IBM's Vice President and Business Line Executive for IBM System x and BladeCenter.

The new IBM BladeCenter offering is another example of Intel and IBM’s ongoing technology collaboration. IBM and Intel have a rich history of working together to push the x86 envelope, especially around blades. In 2002, when blades were in their infancy, IBM and Intel announced joint development on the BladeCenter platform. In 2006, IBM, Intel and other leaders in the industry worked together to establish an open, collaborative community called Blade.org to further drive innovation in the blade market. Three years later, both Intel and IBM are actively engaged with dozens of partners in Blade.org, and both companies serve on the board of directors.

Kirk Skaugen, Vice President, Intel Architecture Group remarked: "Intel is working together with IBM to expand the blade ecosystem. New market segments and broader solutions are already being borne out of the Blade.org community, and Intel will continue to work closely with the consortium to create new blade solutions." Today’s announcement reaffirms that intention and validates the ongoing partnership.

About Blade.org

Blade.org is a collaborative vendor and end-use community focused on accelerating the development and adoption of blade server solutions. The organization provides leadership to the blade market and fosters a thriving industry ecosystem focused on delivering valuable solutions to blade computing customers. More information is available at www.blade.org