IBM Flex System Manager …

IBM Corp. announces a category of computing and the next generation of smarter computing.

            
IBM Flex System Manager management appliance

IBM Flex System Manager integrates multiple server architectures, networking, storage, and system management capability into a single system that is easy to deploy and manage. IBM PureFlex System has built-in virtualization support of servers, storage, and networking to speed provisioning and increase resiliency.

In addition, Flex System Manager supports open industry standards such as OS, networking and storage fabrics, virtualization, and system management protocols, to fit within existing and future data center environments. It is scalable and extendable with multigeneration upgrades to protect and maximize IT investments.

• Improve efficiency and utilization through integration.
• Optimize heterogeneous environments providing the right architecture for the right workload.
• Increase speed and dexterity at the enterprise level.
• Improve control through simplicity, automation, compliance, and security.
• Improve economics through faster time-to-value through real-time scalability.
• Deliver insights faster to gain a competitive advantage.

Flex System Manager can enable enterprises to realize these benefits, enable faster time to value of their IT assets, increase control of their environment, and minimize the complexity inherent in virtualized environment.

It is a systems management appliance that drives efficiency and cost-savings in the data center.
Delivers a preintegrated and virtualized management environment across servers, storage, and networking that is easily managed from a single pane of glass.

• Provides a single focus point for seamless multichassis management.
• Provides an instant resource-oriented view of chassis and chassis resources for both System x servers and Power Systems family of servers.
• Reduces the number of interfaces, steps, and clicks it takes to manage IT resources.
• Intelligently manages and deploys workloads based on resource availability and predefined policies.
• Manages events and alerts to increase system availability and reduce downtime.
• Drives energy savings and reduces operational costs.

New offerings include:

• Flex System Enterprise Chassis
• Flex System Manager
• Flex System Compute Nodes
• Flex System Scalable Network and Storage Switches

Key prerequisites
A Flex System Enterprise Chassis and a Flex System Compute Node that supports the Flex System Manager.

Planned availability date
May 21, 2012: For all features except for features EFD3 and EFD5 in June 15, 2012.