Dell debuts new blade server

Dell on Monday introduced a new blade server with new chassis and blade design, and updated connectivity options. The PowerEdge M-Series server was developed over two years and 55,000 man hours, the "most extensive R&D program we've ever done," said Rick Becker, vice president of solutions for Dell.

Upgrades include stronger handles for carrying individual blades, the option of adding 10-gigabit Ethernet ports to existing 1-gigabit ports, and the ability to be managed remotely or locally with a KVM (keyboard/video/ mouse) switch.

The PowerEdge M-Series is designed to put Dell in better competition with rivals Hewlett-Packard and IBM, which outpace the Texas PC maker in the blade market.