Fujitsu Takes Unix Server Range to 128 Processors.

Fujitsu Ltd launched new higher-end versions of its home-grown large scale Unix server last week at an event in Tokyo. The GP7000F Model 2000, running the Solaris7 64-bit Unix implementation, starts at eight processors, and will scale up to 128 processors by mid next year. Last week, the company demonstrated a 64 processor version of the system.

Fujitsu currently still sells the UltraSparc-II-based GPS7000S Model 1000 which it OEMs from Sun Microsystems Inc, but says the new system is between 30% and 40% faster. Like the existing GP700F-200, 400 and 600 models the Model 2000 uses four processor boards using four Sparc64 GP processors from Fujitsu unit Hal Computers Inc, connected to each other using Fujitsu's Synfinity crossbar interconnect. 300MHz processors will be used for the eight processor version, to be delivered next January, with 500MHz and later 1GHz versions in the roadmap.

Initially sold into Japan, the machines will also be sold into the US through San Jose-based Hal. Larger models might be more appropriately distributed by Amdahl Corp because of its mainframe credentials, the company suggested. Siemens AG is also interested in shipping 128 CPU systems through the Fujitsu-Siemens Alliance (CI No 3,697), and expects them to emerge well before Sun's Serengeti servers, which will use the UltraSparc III Cheetah CPU. Fujitsu itself says it hopes to sell around 100 servers over the next two years.