Apple updates Xserve

Apple has released the newest version of the Xserve (Apple Store down for updates), its Mac-based network server. The new model can be configured with up to two quad-core Intel Xeon 5400 processors running at 3GHz, each CPU having 12MB of L2 cache. Another addition is the presence of a new general architecture, including two 1.6GHz front-side buses, and as much as 32GB of 800MHz DDR2 RAM. Two PCIe 2.0 slots are said to provide up to four times the I/O bandwidth of the last Xserve model, enabling support for multi-channel 4Gb fiber and 10Gb Ethernet cards.

The server now also has a front-facing USB 2.0 port, and built-in graphics acceleration, capable of supporting monitors up to 23 inches in size. The three available drive bays can hold SAS drives between 73 and 300GB, or SATA models sized between 80GB and 1TB. With an appropriate RAID card, an Xserve supports 0, 1 and 5 configurations.

As a result of the switch to the new Xeons, which use more efficient 45nm circuitry, power consumption is rated at just 80W when active, and as low as 4W when idle. Prices for the Xserve start at $3,000; this includes a single 2.8GHz Xeon, 2GB of RAM, dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, two FireWire 800 and three USB 2.0 ports, and an unlimited client license for Mac OS X Server Leopard.

by MacNN Staff