PRESS RELEASE
Lenovo XClarity(TM) Simplifies and Speeds Server Deployments Networking Offerings Optimise Server and Storage Performance
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – April 8, 2015: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY), the third-largest global x86 server hardware supplier, today announced Lenovo XClarity™, a simple, fast, secure, and automated systems management solution. The company also unveiled new networking offerings, including two new Lenovo RackSwitch top-of-rack network switches designed to optimise the performance of Lenovo server and storage solutions, and the Lenovo Flex System SI4091, a low-cost system interconnect module for Flex Systems. All of these offerings add to Lenovo’s growing portfolio of enterprise solutions targeting the traditional IT data centre, as well as private and public cloud environments.
Lenovo XClarity - simple and automated systems management
Lenovo XClarity is the ideal solution for small to large enterprises, service providers, and government organisations. Lenovo XClarity addresses critical customer requirements including the need to centralise and streamline hardware resource management, speed cloud and traditional infrastructure deployments, and enable visibility and control of physical resources from external, higher level management software tools. The new solution is available in two editions, Lenovo XClarity Administrator and Lenovo XClarity Pro.
Lenovo XClarity Administrator – built upon a modern, agent-less virtual appliance architecture which supports select System x servers and the Flex System converged infrastructure platform[1]–can be easily configured by an IT professional in minutes rather than the hours it typically takes with traditional system management solutions. The tablet-friendly user interface features an uncluttered design, allowing users to find critical information and execute tasks quickly. Cloud and traditional server deployments can be simplified and expedited by automating core infrastructure tasks such as firmware updates, configuration management, and operating system deployments, which helps free IT resources to focus on other critical business needs. Open REST application program interfaces (APIs) enable developers to easily integrate the solution with external cloud orchestration or IT service management software tools, such as Microsoft System Center and VMware vRealize solutions.
Lenovo XClarity Pro - centralised management of virtualised server networks
Lenovo XClarity Pro includes Lenovo XClarity Integrator for VMware vCenter and Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Microsoft System Center, along with Lenovo XClarity Administrator. The software is intended for customers looking to further centralise their server management activities within the virtualisation management environment. Lenovo XClarity Pro streamlines server maintenance in cluster environments to reduce workload downtime, where workloads are dynamically moved from affected hosts through automated, non-disruptive rolling reboots and firmware updates. Additionally, Lenovo XClarity Pro reduces unplanned downtime by dynamically evacuating workloads from affected hosts during predicted hardware failures.
Lenovo Networking - optimised server and storage performance
Lenovo RackSwitch G8296 and Lenovo RackSwitch G8272 are two new top-of-rack networking switches optimised to support Lenovo server and storage solutions in the data centre. These cloud ready switches deliver optimised, low latency performance for 10Gb and 40Gb Ethernet connectivity and support OpenFlow and Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) communication protocols.
Lenovo Flex System SI4091 is a low-cost interconnect module supporting 10Gb Ethernet or FCoE designed to simplify network and interoperability challenges faced by IT system administrators. The module features pre-configured settings that eliminate the need to configure each device or individual ports, thus reducing the number of required management points. With a lower price-point, reduced cabling requirements, and up to 30% less power consumption, the Lenovo Flex System SI4091 can provide a total cost of ownership (TCO) up to 18% less than competitive offerings[2].
Quotes
“We continue expanding our enterprise solutions portfolio to enable our customers to optimise infrastructure performance and reduce cost of ownership, regardless of their environment,” said Darrel Ward, vice president, Enterprise Systems Marketing and Enterprise Storage Business Unit. “Lenovo XClarity dramatically simplifies system management, helping organisations do more with less, while the networking solutions deliver great performance, optimised for Lenovo server and storage solutions, at an extremely attractive price point.”
Pricing and availability
Lenovo XClarity Administrator and Lenovo XClarity Pro will be available during the second quarter of 2015 with a list price of $200 per managed server and $350 per managed server, respectively. Lenovo RackSwitch G8272 will be available the end of April 2015, with a list price of $19,999, and the Lenovo RackSwitch G8296 will be available August 2015 with a list price of $29,999. Lenovo Flex System SI4091 will be available end of April 2015 with a list price of $7,999.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a $39 billion global Fortune 500 company and a leader in providing innovative consumer, commercial, and enterprise technology. Our portfolio of high-quality, secure products and services covers PCs (including the legendary Think and multimode YOGA brands), workstations, servers, storage, smart TVs and a family of mobile products like smartphones (including the Motorola brand), tablets and apps. Join us on LinkedIn, follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@Lenovo) or visit us at www.lenovo.com.
[1] Supports System x3550 M5, System x3650 M5, System x3850 X6 and System x3950 X6. Also supports Flex System x220, Flex System x222, Flex System x240, Flex System x280, Flex System x440, Flex System x480 and Flex System x880.
[2] Lenovo Flex System S14091 list price is approximately 28% less expensive and consumes approximately 30% less power than competitive offerings
