Fujitsu Unveils Mission-Critical Server for Linux and Windows

April 11, 2005

Fujitsu Limited, a leader in mission-critical computing, unveiled the new PRIMEQUEST server line based on the Intel Itanium 2 processor. The PRIMEQUEST server line combines data center class fault immunity and high system scalability for industry standard environments running Linux and Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based systems. This makes it an ideal choice for organizations wishing to realize the economic benefits and flexibility of industry standard solutions without compromising their business continuity. The new line is being launched globally today through Fujitsu Limited in the Asia/Pacific region as well as Fujitsu Computer Systems in North America and Fujitsu Siemens Computers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

PRIMEQUEST servers are ideal for mission-critical applications which demand high availability, robust performance, enhanced flexibility and optimum resource usage. Typical application areas for PRIMEQUEST servers include large-scale database systems and online transaction processing environments. The PRIMEQUEST server architecture provides a high degree of platform fault immunity with up to 8 highly available, independent and hardware isolated partitions – each one being a fully independent 'server' within the system.

"With the PRIMEQUEST server line, Fujitsu aims to set a new standard for business critical computing in the Linux and Windows Server enterprise environments," says Akira Yamanaka, corporate vice president of Fujitsu Limited. "We want to enable our customers to fully benefit from market standard operating systems and solutions without compromising their enterprise needs. The new PRIMEQUEST server line incorporates our decades of experience in building mainframes, UNIX servers and IT solutions, with outstanding reliability."

The advanced chipset on the PRIMEQUEST server delivers two key technologies that provide the highest possible availability in a single system: System Mirror and Flexible I/O (FIO). System Mirror, enabled by dual synchronous system architecture, allows memory modules and crossbar interconnects to operate in duplex mode and isolate errors without causing a system halt. FIO allows on-demand redirection of I/O resources to specific processing resources. This enables I/O to match real-time performance requirements while avoiding disruption of business operations. FIO also significantly shortens maintenance downtime compared to current industry standards.

PRIMEQUEST servers extend the Fujitsu server portfolio that includes PRIMEPOWER™ servers based on the SPARC64® V processor running the Solaris™ operating system and PRIMERGY® industry standard servers. Together they provide a comprehensive server portfolio that satisfies different service level requirements for maximum availability and scalability. The new PRIMEQUEST servers will attract customers who want to extend existing mission-critical infrastructures with truly open industry standards focused on Linux, Windows and Itanium technologies.

Providing mission-critical software is a key strength of the global Fujitsu alliance. Fujitsu has collaborated with Red Hat and contributed to the hardening of the open operating system for business critical usage via the contribution of 500 Fujitsu Linux developers. Under the Global Alliance Partnership, Fujitsu is working closely with Microsoft around the development of mission critical RAS features and the optimization for industry-leading performance benchmarks.

The PRIMEQUEST server line is offered as part of the Fujitsu TRIOLE strategy for optimized IT, which unites servers, storage, networks and middleware to provide a dynamic and flexible customer IT environment. Fujitsu will introduce TRIOLE templates that will include PRIMEQUEST servers, enabling customers to introduce 64-bit mission-critical Linux and Windows technology into the datacenter. The TRIOLE strategy provides the optimized design, development and deployment of highly reliable, business-critical data centers in heterogeneous environments aimed to increase business continuity, agility and efficiency.