CNET News.com: IBM set to release new special-purpose servers

"The company will release a number of servers set up for specific jobs--serving up Web pages, speeding up Internet data transfer, storing information and establishing "firewalls" to protect networks against intruders. "We have a complete family that covers a broader range of the appliance market than any single vendor," said Jim Gargan, director of Netfinity marketing."

"IBM's server appliances will use operating systems from Microsoft and Novell as well as Linux..."

"On April 18, the company will introduce the new Netfinity 4500, a rack-mountable two-processor machine with a number of hardware and software features to minimize the server's downtime..."

"The 4500, code-named "Assault," uses 733-MHz Pentium IIIs and a popular chip set from ServerWorks that offers several high-end features.

"IBM, a major backer of Linux, has been working to improve Linux so it can take advantage of these high-availability features..."

Complete story.