Overview - IBM eServer xSeries Internet Caching Appliances

Content

At a glance

IBM xSeries ICA servers are a family of preloaded, preconfigured xSeries servers designed to meet Web-browsing and Web-server applications across a broad spectrum of environments.

• Preloaded with Volera Excelerator Internet caching software
  • Accelerates performance in forward or reverse proxy applications
  • Offers efficient, convenient cache management of requested objects with flexibility to manage caching resources and monitor site performance
  • Supports clustering for crucial data requirements
• xSeries servers -- Provide the backbone for reliable, high-performance Internet Web-browser and Web-server applications
• Available in a tower and several rack configurations:
  • xSeries 220 -- Tower
  • xSeries 330 -- Rack; takes 1 U space
  • xSeries 340 -- Rack; takes 3 U space
• Preconfigured at the factory to meet a wide range of requirements for improved:
  • Convenience -- Ordering and setup simplified
  • Cost savings -- Saves installation time and money
  • Confidence -- Designed and tested to meet specific application tiers

Overview

Speed Internet access while saving time and installation expense with xSeries Internet Caching Appliances (ICA). These xSeries servers are preloaded with cache appliance software by Volera, a subsidiary of Novell, Inc., and are preconfigured at the factory with features optimized for each specific network environment.

The xSeries ICA servers function as Web-browser accelerators or Web-server accelerators that yield high speed, fault tolerance, and manageability.

Using xSeries ICA servers:

• Employees enjoy fast Internet access
• Customers receive Web content quickly
• Web-hosting enterprises satisfy customers with high-performance Internet connections

Browser Acceleration (Forward Proxy)

Four xSeries servers with 866 MHz(1) Intel Pentium III processors and preconfigured with memory and hard disk storage meet the following application tiers:

• Tower -- xSeries 220 ICA (8645-34X) with 256 MB memory and 18.2 GB(2) HDD storage for small offices with up to 50 users
• Workgroup -- xSeries 330 ICA (8654-37X) with 384 MB of memory and 36.4 GB HDD storage for departments with up to 250 users
• Department -- xSeries 340 ICA (8656-45X) 768 MB of memory and 54.6 GB HDD storage for enterprises with up to 500 users
• Enterprise -- xSeries 340 ICA (8656-46X) 1.5 GB of memory and 109.2 GB HDD storage for ISP/large enterprises with up to 1,000 users

Web-Server Acceleration (Reverse Proxy)

Two xSeries servers with 866 MHz Pentium III processors preconfigured with memory and hard disk storage meet the following application tiers:

• Workgroup -- xSeries 330 ICA (8654-38X) with 1 GB memory and 18.2 GB HDD storage for small- to mid-range applications handling up to 3,500 requests per second
• Enterprise -- xSeries 340 ICA (8656-47X) with 4 GB of memory and 54.6 GB HDD storage for commercial or large site applications handling up to 20,000 requests per second

The xSeries ICA servers are preloaded and tuned with Volera Excelerator V2.0 Internet caching software(3) that enables:

• Efficient and convenient cache management and permanent caching for predesignated pages
• Up-to-date page views and fresh Web content through standards-based techniques
• Scheduling and managing capability for updates and content prioritization
• Logging of proxy-caching transactions for tracking usage to identify strengths and weaknesses of the site
• Clustering of multiple ICA appliances for uninterrupted access to crucial cached data

Description

xSeries ICA servers are a family of xSeries servers preloaded with software designed for caching Internet content. Each model is preconfigured and preloaded to support specific Web-browser acceleration and Web-server acceleration application tiers. These 866 MHz Pentium III processor-based servers are preloaded with Volera Excelerator V2.0 caching software to provide a combination of speed, fault tolerance, and manageability.

Benefits

• Simplification of ordering and setup
• Preconfigured and preloaded -- Saves installation time and money
• Acceleration of Web-browser and Web-server response times
• Lower network telecommunications and bandwidth costs
• Helps speed e-commerce transactions
• Reduction of customer wait time
• Helps increase employee productivity -- Web-browser and Web-server response times reduced
• Scale e-business infrastructures to handle peak demand

Browser Acceleration (Forward Proxy)

Four servers have been configured to meet the requirements for browser acceleration applications:

Web Server Acceleration (Reverse Proxy)

Two servers have been configured to meet the requirements for Web server acceleration applications:

Fast and Easy Installation

Unlike other network components, xSeries ICA servers are quickly installed and configured. In as little as 10 minutes you can plug an xSeries ICA server into your network infrastructure, let it boot automatically, and configure it through one of these popular Internet interfaces:

• Browser
• Telnet
• FTP

Ideal for a busy administrator, the xSeries ICA servers can be upgraded and updated electronically, and vital changes can be made without physically accessing the appliance.

xSeries ICA Servers -- Preloaded with Volera Excelerator Caching Software

Accelerate Access to Your Web Site: In a reverse proxy configuration, the xSeries ICA server is placed between an organization's Web server and the Internet. Inbound content requests are intercepted by the appliance, that serves cached pages when applicable, without the assistance of the Web server.

In this configuration, the appliance typically caches about 85 percent of server content to:

• Reduce Web server traffic
• Receive content at high speeds

xSeries ICA servers support transparent proxy operation that eliminates the need to configure each client browser to use a proxy server. Transparent proxy operation is supported through either:

• Web Cache Coordination Protocol (WCCP)
• Layer 4 switches
• Setting up the appliance as the default IP gateway

Cache Management: xSeries ICA servers provide efficient and convenient cache management:

• Frequently requested objects are stored where they can be immediately located and accessed.
• Permanent caching is provided for predesignated pages whose content should never expire.

Fresh Content: Using standards-based techniques, xSeries ICA servers provide flexibility in managing caching resources by enabling:

• Customers to receive up-to-date page views and fresh Web content
• Scheduling for updates and content prioritization

Clustering: Multiple xSeries ICA servers can be configured in a cluster to compensate for one another should any of the devices fail. Clustering is designed for uninterrupted access to crucial cached data. Cache-clustering options available in Layer 4 switches are also supported.

Logging: A logging feature is included that can be used to record all proxy-caching transactions. By tracking usage, Web site owners can identify site strengths and weaknesses. This information helps pinpoint where improvements can be made to site design and accessibility. Organizations can also use the logging feature to monitor employees Internet activities.

Configurations

xSeries 220 ICA (8645-34X)

• 866 MHz Pentium III processor
• 18.2 GB 10K Ultra160 SCSI HDD
• 256 MB ECC system memory
• 48x-20x IDE CD-ROM(4)
• An integrated 10/100 Ethernet Controller
• Tower-tier ICA forward proxy software preload
• Recovery CD-ROM
• Document CD-ROM
• License Agreement

xSeries 330 ICA (8654-37X,-38X)

• 866 MHz Pentium III processor
• 24x-10x IDE CD-ROM
• Two integrated 10/100 Ethernet controllers
• Model 37X
  • Two 18.2 GB 10K-4 Ultra160 SCSI Hot-Swap HDDs
  • 384 MB ECC system memory
  • Workgroup-tier ICA forward proxy software preload
• Model 38X
  • One 18.2 GB 10K-4 Ultra160 SCSI Hot-Swap HDD
  • 1 GB ECC system memory
  • Workgroup-tier ICA reverse proxy software preload
• Recovery CD-ROM
• Document CD-ROM
• License Agreement

xSeries 340 ICA (8656-45X,-46X,-47X)

• 866 MHz Pentium III processor
• 24x-10x IDE CD-ROM
• An integrated 10/100 Ethernet controller
• Model 45X
  • Three 18.2 GB 10K-4 Ultra160 SCSI Hot-Swap HDDs
  • 768 MB ECC system memory
  • Department-tier ICA forward proxy software preload
• Model 46X
  • Six 18.2 GB 10K-4 Ultra160 SCSI Hot-Swap HDD
  • 1.5 GB ECC system memory
  • Three-pack Ultra160 Hot-Swap Expansion Kit
  • 270 W Hot-Swap Redundant Power Supply
  • Enterprise-tier ICA forward proxy software preload
• Model 47X
  • Three 18.2 GB 10K-4 Ultra160 SCSI Hot-Swap HDD
  • 4 GB ECC system memory
  • Enterprise-tier ICA reverse proxy software preload
• Recovery CD-ROM
• Document CD-ROM
• License Agreement

(1) MHz denotes the internal and/or external clock speed of the microprocessor only, not application performance. Many factors affect application performance.
(2) When referring to hard drive or tape backup capacity, GB stands for one billion bytes. Total user capacity may vary depending on operating environments.
(3) Some software may differ from its retail version (if any) and may not include user manuals or all program functionality. Warranty, service, and support for non-IBM products are provided directly to you by third parties, not IBM. IBM makes no representations or warranties regarding non-IBM products. For non-IBM software, applicable third party software licenses may apply.
(4) Actual playback speed will vary and is often less than the maximum possible.