At the same time, Bull announces the availability of the new version 5.3 of AIX 5L for the entire Escala range.

The 2-way Escala PL250R/T server and the 4-way Escala PL450R/T are available in Rack or Tower format to consolidate a large number of resources, starting with the entry-level servers.

Escala PL850R and Escala PL1650R, 8- and 16-way servers, in Rack format, introduce a brand new modular architecture approach, with the possibility of adding up to 3 additional modules to a base 4-way model.

Each module acts as an independent server, or may be connected to a larger SMP (Symmetric Multi Processing) structure via a new high-speed interconnection technology. An advantage of this modular architecture is the possibility of obtaining an entry-level configuration at a very competitive price.

The flexibility of this solution can be increased using Power on Demand which augments 4, 8 and 16-way servers by the permanent or temporary activation of processors and memory depending on needs.

Bull has created complete and open storage and high-availability solutions to help the rapid implementation of server and storage infrastructures at reduced purchase and operating costs. The solutions reinforce the competitive lead of the new Power5 range of Escala servers.

Bull announces version 4 of its Application Roll-over Facility (ARF), a solution developed by Bull's High Availability Competence Centre in Echirolles, France. ARF brings optimal availability to applications while remaining competitively priced and providing very easy implementation.

For those companies requiring simple configurations which are easy to implement and use, Bull has created pre-packaged solutions, tested and validated by its competence centres, and integrated at its Angers site in France. Known as "Escala 5D", these configurations include:

• 2 Escala Servers (2, 4 or 8-way Power5)
• 1 EMC redundant disk sub-system and its management software
• Bull's High Availability Solution (Application Roll Over Facility)
• Support and Maintenance Services

The entry-level configuration prices are:

• Escala PL250 2-Way 1.65GHz, 1GB Memory, 36GB disk, AIX: 13,000 Euros
• Escala PL450 2-Way 1.65GHz, 4GB Memory, 2 x 36GB disk, AIX: 23,500 Euros
• Escala PL850 2-Way 1.5GHz with 4GB Memory, 2 x 36GB disk, AIX: 29,300 Euros
• Escala PL1650 2-Way 1.65GHz with 4GB Memory, 2 x 36GB disk, AIX: 38,800 Euros

The entire server range is available as of September 1st, 2004.