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Intel to sell own-brand Xeon servers via ISPs

But as this is gear the customer doesn't ever get to touch, the badge doesn't matter, right?

Wasn't it just the other day a certain reckless Register hack suggested Intel would be selling Intel-branded PCs Real Soon Now? Well, a big hello to the Intel Service Provider Programme, which among other things will be selling Intel PIII and Xeon server platforms in "special form factors" via ISPs. The special form factor, of course, is rack-mounted, and from the ISP's point of view (as The Register recently learned) this is a sweet little number. ISPs charges per square metre for server space frequently exceed the price of toilets in downtown Tokyo, and ISPs can afford to be choosy about the hardware they're prepared to support in managed server Web hosting scenarios. Intel has obviously noted this, and noted that lots of ISPs are noting that they can make money, and very good margins, out of selling hardware to their own customers. Intel says six out of ten of the estimated 14,000 ISPs and ASPs (Application Service Providers) worldwide intend to be in the CPE (Customer Premise Equipment) market this year, so the latest Intel channel programme is designed to offer them a broad range of gear to do it with. This will consist of "a variety of Internet-tailored products and technologies sold by a dedicated channel sales and support team," says Intel. The wares offered will be infrastructure products, network cards, hubs and switches, routers, remote access concentrators and VPN technology. Then of course there are the InBusiness server appliance products, which are largely small business connectivity gear, and those big meaty servers. Course, as the big meaty server you buy from your ISP is something you're never likely to see, the actual badge on the front isn't an issue. Intel's PC manufacturer customers, of course, might not entirely agree. ®

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