HP Offers New Integrity Servers, OS Upgrade

In releasing the rx2660 for $4,931, HP launches its lowest-priced Integrity rack-mount server. The Integrity BL860c Server Blade is also priced at the low end at $3,827. The entry-level rx2660 is shipping now, and the BL860c is set for availability in March.

Although it's better known for its high-end servers, HP has a range of products that include entry- and mid-level servers. "There's nothing radically new here. It's a product line refresh," says Gordon Haff, analyst for Illuminata.

There's more new with the upgrade to HP-UX 11i. With Version 3, which is available now, HP has added technology to make virtualization easier, the company said. In addition, business applications such as business intelligence and data warehousing are simpler to secure and manage.

Still, many of the features have already been made available as updates to the current version of HP-UX 11i, Haff says. "There's a message here that you don't need to do this upgrade right away."

HP has taken a "reasonable approach" in upgrading HP-UX incrementally, instead of making customers wait for the next version, Haff says. "They really want to minimize disruption."

HP competes with IBM and Sun Microsystems in both the server and operating system markets.