Fujitsu Adds Attractively-Priced PRIMEQUEST 420 Midrange Model to Line of Mission-Critical IA Servers.

Tokyo, Japan, Feb 17, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu Limited today announced the immediate availability of the PRIMEQUEST(TM) 420 server for the Japanese market, a new midrange model for its PRIMEQUEST line of mission-critical IA servers. The PRIMEQUEST 420 server shares the architecture of high-end models in the same line, but offers a new price entry point, a lower power consumption and space saving design.

To respond to the market need for open-standard systems with mainframe-class reliability at an economical price, Fujitsu developed the PRIMEQUEST 420 server as a midrange model in its PRIMEQUEST server line. With today's launch, Fujitsu is bringing this potent combination of dependability and affordability starting with customers in Japan.

The PRIMEQUEST server line uses high-performance 64-bit Intel(R) Itanium(R) 2 processors with a Fujitsu-developed chipset that maximizes reliability and scalability of the processor. It combines data center class fault immunity and high system scalability for industry standard environments running Linux and Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based systems.

Since launching worldwide sales in April 2005 of Fujitsu's high-end server lines, the PRIMEQUEST 440 and 480 models, which combine the economy of open-standard systems with the reliability of a mainframe, have been highly praised by customers. Fujitsu has received orders from dozens of companies, including TKC Corporation of Japan. In addition, major IT services provider EDS is offering PRIMEQUEST servers in its mission-critical computing solutions.

The Fujitsu-developed chipset used in the PRIMEQUEST 420 as well as the PRIMEQUEST 440 and 480 incorporates the results of its Semiconductor Application Chip Project funded by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry  (METI) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

The new PRIMEQUEST 420 model will enforce further market penetration for the IA mission-critical server line. The PRIMEQUEST 420 server is also planned to be made available for global customers by mid 2006.

Features

Mainframe reliability at attractive prices

The PRIMEQUEST 420 model was designed to make the advantages of the PRIMEQUEST architecture more accessible. With support for up to eight processors, this model is more compact. The PRIMEQUEST 420 not only provides a lower scaled price entry point, it also addresses new customers and market segments who require mainframe-reliability and reduced operational costs. In its minimal configuration, it is priced below JPY 10 million.

Compact, low-power consumption design

With high-density mounting and compact design, this model requires only about one-third the electricity of the PRIMEQUEST 440 server. In its rack-mount form factor, it can fit on the same rack with other servers, storage systems and network equipments for efficient use of space.

Use of high-end PRIMEQUEST architecture

This model uses the same Fujitsu-developed dual synchronous system architecture as its high-end models to offer high reliability and performance.

Pricing and Availability in Japan (Minimal configuration shown below)

Model Name       Price (excl.tax)    Supported OS            Shipment Date

PRIMEQUEST 420   JPY 7.7 million     Red Hat(R) Enterprise
                                       Linux AS v.4          End Feb 2006
                                     Novell(R) SUSE(R) Linux
                                       Enterprise Server 9   End Apr 2006
                                     Microsoft Windows
                                       Server 2003           End Feb 2006

PRIMEQUEST 420: Key specifications

Model name                           PRIMEQUEST 420
Form factor                          12U rack-mount (19")
CPU                                  Intel(R) Itanium(R) 2 Processor;
                                     1.50 GHz/1.60 GHz
CPU count                            1 - 8
Chipset                              Fujitsu proprietary
System board count                   1 - 2
Interconnect                         Point-to-point crossbar;
                                     max data transmission
                                       25.6 gigabits per second
Memory Max                           256GB
Internal storage                     Max 584GB (w/ 2.5" SAS)
PCI slots                            Max 18
Partitions                           Max 2
External dimensions                  482 (W) x 820 (D) x 530 (H)
Weight                               Max 150 kg
Supported operating systems          Red Hat(R)Enterprise Linux AS
                                       (v.4 for Itanium)
                                     Novell(R) SUSE(R) Linux Enterprise
                                       Server 9 for Itanium Processor Family
                                     Microsoft Windows Server 2003,
                                       Enterpr. Edition for Itanium-based
                                       Systems
                                     Microsoft Windows Server 2003,
                                       Datacenter Edition for
                                       Itanium-based Systems

About Fujitsu Limited

Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702)(ADR: FJTSY) is a leading provider of customer-focused IT and communications solutions for the global marketplace. Pace-setting device technologies, highly reliable computing and communications platforms, and a worldwide corps of systems and services experts uniquely position Fujitsu to deliver comprehensive solutions that open up infinite possibilities for its customers' success. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited reported consolidated revenues of 4.7 trillion yen (US$44.5 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. For more information, please see: www.fujitsu.com.

Source: Fujitsu Limited

Contact:

Fujitsu Limited
Scott Ikeda
[e-mail]
[phone]

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