“Network Engines’ WebEngine Roadster is being touted as
an high octane Internet server appliance. The new Intel
processor-based Roadster is the only single-purpose server
appliance offering a choice of either Microsoft Windows NT,
says Larry Genovesi, Network Engines’ president and CEO. Besides
that, it’s cluster-enabled up to 256 nodes with full-load balancing
technology. All this comes at a low-octane starting (some may call
it startling) price of under $2000.
Network Engines’ Roadster had better be a souped-up hot rod,
because it faces tough competition in the Internet appliance market
from major systems vendors. IBM Corp., for instance, bought and is
putting big marketing muscle behind Whistle Communications Inc.’s
InterJet thin server, and its B50 slimline rack-mounted server.
Another tough competitor will be Compaq Computer Corp.’s
NeoServer.
Should Web integrators take a chance on the Roadster? Genovesi
believes those who do will be on the e-business fast track. Here
are his views, as given in a recent interview with Jan Stafford,
VARBusiness senior editor. “