IBM unveils a Linux X86 based killer server that can do almost anything

IBM’s new IBM Linux x86 based servers for heavy computing tasks including AI, deep learning, and data analytics

IBM is releasing a powerful lineup of Linux-based servers that can handle pretty much anything. IBM announced the new X86 based servers for heavy computing and said that the new machines can make it easier to run AI, deep learning, and big data analytics.

IBM said that its new servers are designed to help propel cognitive workloads and to drive greater data centre efficiency. The new IBM servers feature a new chip as well as incorporate innovations from the “OpenPOWER” community that deliver higher levels of performance and greater computing efficiency than available on any x86-based server.

The new servers are a part of IBM’s LC line, and they include the S822LC for High Performance Computing, the S822LC for Big Data, and the S821LC. According to an IBM press release, the “systems deliver average of 80% more performance per dollar than latest x86-based servers.”

All three systems have two socket, and are configurable with up to 20 cores. The high performance computing model has 1 TB Memory with 230GB/sec memory bandwidth, while the other two options have 512 GB Memory with 115GB/sec memory bandwidth. The high performance model uses the NVIDIA Pascal GPU, and the other two work with the NVIDIA K80.

IBM said that the new IBM LC line has been developed with active cooperation from big daddies of tech industry and the new Power Systems are designed to propel artificial intelligence, deep learning, high-performance data analytics and other compute-heavy workloads, which can help businesses and cloud service providers save money on data centre costs.

“The user insights and the business value you can deliver with advanced analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence is increasingly gated by performance. Accelerated computing that can really drive big data workloads will become foundational in the cognitive era,” said Doug Balog, General Manager of POWER, IBM Systems.

IBM carried out alpha testing with Chinese Internet behemoth, Tencent and the studies reveal that the LC line was able to run their workloads up to three times faster with fewer overall servers. Tencent is now deploying the new servers in its remaining data centers in China.

The S822LC for Big Data and the S821LC are available now, but the S822LC for High Performance Computing will ship on September 26, 2016.