Consumers are using advanced communications like streaming video on hand held devices, but they want them to be virus-free and fast. This creates a challenge for service providers. The number of high-severity computer vulnerabilities increased by 28 percent in the first half of 2008 over the previous year - the first such increase since 2004, according to IBM X-Force research. (IBM Internet Security Systems X-Force 2008 Mid-Year Trend Statistics) The new IBM blade can help reduce this threat by performing real-time analysis of network activity so malicious traffic can be diverted.

The IBM blade can also help telecommunications carriers better manage and prioritize network activity like video sharing and Web traffic for maximum performance, minimizing end-user delays.

The IBM BladeCenter PN41 is the first blade in the industry to support Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology from CloudShield, an industry-leading network services management and security provider. The IBM BladeCenter PN41 more deeply examines the "packets" of data streaming across the Internet or corporate networks so they can be routed for maximum performance while helping prevent security threats.

"IBM continues to offer the broadest portfolio of blade servers in the industry. The IBM BladeCenter PN41 enables service providers to manage their network, security and telecommunications technology on a integrated platform - IBM BladeCenter", stated Jim Pertzborn, vice president of telecommunications industry solutions for IBM Systems Group. "This integration can help service providers meet their customers' evolving requirements for data, voice and video services from anywhere, at anytime and over any device."

The new blade becomes a key component of the IBM Telecom Integrated Solution for Security, an integrated hardware, software and services framework that allows communications service providers to deliver carrier-grade network services that can divert malicious traffic. In addition to BladeCenter, the key components of the Telecom Integrated Solution for Security include IBM Proventia Intrusion Prevention and IBM Tivoli Security Operations Manager along with hardware and software from IBM Business Partners.

"The IBM BladeCenter PN41 was specifically developed in response to demand from service providers that want data centre economics applied to network services", stated Matt Jones, CEO, CloudShield. "Now service providers have a carrier-class, high-performance blade for consolidating network appliances in the IBM BladeCenter."

IBM is working to develop an ecosystem for the IBM BladeCenter PN41 that can, for the first time, allow service providers to select from a portfolio of Business Partners and providers when assembling the best technology solutions for their businesses. As has been typical in enterprise data centre deployments, carriers can now select hardware, software and services from multiple vendors.

For example, in addition to its work with CloudShield to develop the IBM BladeCenter PN41, IBM is working with CloudShield to support the company's software applications on the new blade. In fact, it's the only blade in the industry to support CloudShield's Subscriber Services Manager (SSM), DNS Defender applications and its open development environment.

The IBM BladeCenter PN41 also supports applications from Check Point Software. "Running Check Point solutions on the IBM BladeCenter with the PN41 blade provides an excellent platform for substantially accelerating security performance", stated Michael Anderson, head of America security services at Check Point. "By combining IBM hardware with Check Point acceleration technologies such as SecureXL and CoreXL, high-end carriers and data centres can increase the number of customer connections they can handle."

IBM Global Services plans to provide support and services for IBM BladeCenter PN41 customers.

The new IBM blade can run in one of two high-speed IBM BladeCenter chassis often used in enterprise datacenters, telecommunications central offices or government environments. These chassis have been successful in the marketplace because they address both IT and high-speed networking requirements, allowing clients to support Next-Generation Network (NGN) applications like video sharing and social networks.

IBM and CloudShield are both members of blade.org, an industry consortium driving open innovation in blade-based solutions. Blade.org helps members like CloudShield and IBM come together to collaborate on innovative new technologies based on the open BladeCenter architecture.

IBM is one of the world's leading providers of risk and security solutions. Clients around the world work with IBM to help reduce the complexities of security and strategically manage risk. IBM provides a range of risk and security solutions - from dedicated research, software, hardware, services and global business partner value - to help clients secure their business operations and implement company-wide, integrated risk management programmes.

The new IBM BladeCenter PN41 blade will be generally available worldwide in October 2008. The IBM BladeCenter PN41 is available either direct from IBM or through IBM Business Partners.