Sequent Computer Systems Inc has launched a new series of Intel Corp Pentium-based Unix symmetric multiprocessing servers, claiming that they offer twice the performance of its previous 80486-based systems, while retaining full backwards compatibility. The Symmetry 2000 range is aimed at large corporate accounts wanting to move from mainframes to client-server environments, and the Beaverton, Oregon-based company reckons that it can supply users with all the relevant third party tools, education, training and consultancy skills to accomplish the task. The new family has four members, each running Sequent’s Dynix/OS – a new version of the operating system, based on Unix System V.4.2, is due out in the first quarter of 1994 – and these comprise the Symmetry 2000/290 for branch office or workgroup computing, which is claimed to support several hundred users – this sports between two and six Pentiums, has up to 320Mb of system memory, 109Gb of mass storage, and starts at UKP60,000; the Symmetry 2000/490 for departmental computing, which also supports several hundred users – this incorporates from two to 10 Pentiums, has up to 768Mb of system memory, up to 403Gb of mass storage, and starts at UKP100,000; the Symmetry 2000/790 for enterprise-wide computing, which supports more than 1,000 users – this includes between two and 30 Pentiums, has 1.5Gb of system memory, mass storage of up to 806Gb, and starts at UKP235,000; and finally, the Symmetry 2000/990. This is essentially a high-availability cluster of any two Symmetry 2000 systems, which share data stored on common disks or tape units. The cluster is said to provide mainframe-type performance to data centres and supports more than 10,000 users. Symmetry 2000/990 systems start at UKP180,000, and existing 2000/X50 customers can create their own clusters by simply buying a new machine and cluster upgrade kit, containing about UKP2,500-worth of cabling, and the necessary software to link everything together. The new servers are available now and will replace the previous 80486-based Symmetry 2000/X50 machines, although Sequent says it is already talking to Intel Corp, Compaq Computer Corp and AST Research Inc Compaq is said to be eyeing Sequent as an acquisition target about its next generation of systems. Within the next six to nine months, it plans to merge its existing Symmetry and WinServer lines – the latter are the ones that run Microsoft Corp’s Windows NT. Sequent will offer both operating systems on one box by installing a hardware abstraction layer between the operating system and the CPU. Support for other operating systems will follow, the company promises.
