04
Mon, Nov
5 New Articles

IBM Gives More POWER to the pSeries

Analysis of News Events
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Last Tuesday, IBM took aggressive steps to boost the performance and capabilities of its pSeries servers. While the announcements advance the IT vendor's efforts to increase its share of the UNIX market, they also point toward enhancements that are in the wings for iSeries servers.

In its announcements, IBM made significant improvements to its 8-way pSeries 650 and 655, its 16-way p670, and its 32-way p690. Here is a rundown of the enhancements:

  • Faster POWER4+ processors--Currently, IBM's p655, p670, and p690 run on POWER4 processors at the 1.1 Ghz and 1.3 Ghz clock speeds. Starting on May 30, IBM will ship the p655 and p690 with POWER4+ processors running at 1.5 Ghz and 1.7 Ghz, and the p670 with POWER4+ chips running at 1.5 Ghz. These are IBM's fastest chips, and last week's announcement marks their first appearance in production servers. Their use in the pSeries boosts the commercial performance of the p655 by as much as 83%, the p670 by 90%, and the p690 by 65%.
  • More memory...more options--IBM is doubling the memory capacities of the p670 (to 256 GB) and the p690 (to 512 GB) to accommodate the increased processing capacity of these servers. In addition, Big Blue is offering a new feature on the p650, p670, and p690 known as Memory Capacity Upgrade on Demand (MCUoD). Under the new feature, customers can purchase a pair of memory cards with only half of their memory activated (on the p670 and p690) or individual cards with no memory active (on the p650). Customers can then activate the standby memory in 4 GB increments; if they are running AIX 5.2L, they can do so without having to reboot the server. IBM has priced the MCUoD memory cards so that customers pay 20% of the cost of the inactivate memory up front. Customers pay the remainder of the cost when they activate the memory.
  • New Processor CoD capabilities--Last week's announcement also brought the iSeries' On/Off Capacity on Demand (OOCoD) capabilities to the pSeries for the first time. Owners of p650, p670, and p690 servers can now configure them with inactive processors. These processors can be activated on a temporary or permanent basis to handle increased workloads or replace a failing processor. On the p670 and p690, customers can purchase eight-processor modules with half of the processors inactive. On the p650, customers can order two-processor modules with both processors inactive. Each OOCoD module comes with a free trial period under which the customer can activate two processors for a total of 30 days. These days need not be consecutive, as the customer can turn the processors on and off without having to reboot the server. After the trial period, customers can order additional 30-day activation periods or purchase permanent activations in two-processor increments.
  • Better dynamic logical partitioning (dLPAR) and clustering support--Besides gaining POWER4+ processors for the first time, the p670 and p690 are also gaining the enhanced dLPAR capabilities of these chips. The new p670 will support 16 dLPARs while the p690 will support 32 dLPARs; these levels are double those of the previous POWER4 models. In addition, the p655 gained the ability to support four dLPARs. As for clustering enhancements, IBM enhanced its Cluster 1600 software to support p630 dLPARs, p650 dLPARs, and non-partitioned p650 servers as cluster building blocks.
  • Enhanced I/O capabilities--IBM also announced support for faster PCI-X adapters on the I/O drawers that most p670 and p690 customers use. To sweeten the deal, the IT vendor added the option to use RIO-2 loop connections on several of its pSeries I/O drawers. Compared to RIO loop connections, RIO-2 doubles the bandwidth between I/O drawers and the central electronic complexes of servers.

The Implications for iSeries Customers

If you're a pSeries customer, chances are good that this announcement is immediately important to you. However, with IBM increasingly building new iSeries and pSeries servers from the same blueprints, last week's product rollout is important for the iSeries as well.

In several respects, the new pSeries models point the way toward what iSeries customers can expect from their servers next year. One potential example of this is MCUoD. While I am not at liberty to say whether this new pSeries feature will make its way to the iSeries, I would suggest that you start asking iSeries executives about it. As you can also infer from the 512 GB memory capacity of the revamped p690 (twice the memory of the current i890), the next generation of iSeries models will likely get a memory boost as well.

Speaking of next-generation models, don't expect the iSeries to ever use POWER4+ chips. The server family is skipping this processor generation and moving to POWER5, a far more powerful chip that should appear on both iSeries and pSeries systems in mid-2004. The first POWER5 chips will likely be built using the same 0.13-micron process found on the POWER4+ chips. Since IBM has pushed POWER4+ to the 1.7 Ghz level, I anticipate that the first POWER5 chips will clock out at a similar speed. Unlike POWER4+, however, POWER5 will incorporate several new technologies that will optimize its performance to a very high degree. IBM's labs are already testing Linux on early versions of POWER5, and the computer giant's executives are confident that they can bring the new processor to market on schedule.

While the pSeries is following rather than leading the iSeries on the processor OOCoD front, it is pioneering a new model for monitoring and managing activated processors. Unlike the iSeries, which requires customers to accept IBM electronic monitoring of OOCoD usage, the pSeries' version of OOCoD is entirely managed by the system software. When a customer inputs a 30-day activation key into the pSeries, the server's Hardware Management Console (HMC) starts counting the days when the processors are active. Shortly before the meter hits 30 days, the HMC starts sending reminder notices to the system administrator. If administrators ignore the messages and run the processors beyond 30 days, the HMC will do nothing to stop them until a system or partition reboot takes place. At that point, the HMC quietly takes back the overdue resources without reporting the infraction to IBM.

Next year, when the iSeries and pSeries share a common system hypervisor and support the same operating systems, the two server teams will have a strong incentive to adopt a common model for monitoring and managing OOCoD resources. While it is anyone's guess whether the less restrictive pSeries model or the more restrictive iSeries model will win out, I have a good idea of which one customers will prefer. If you're considering OOCoD processors for your next iSeries, be sure to let IBM know how you feel about this matter. Your feedback could influence the internal debates that IBM is having about next year's iSeries and pSeries servers.

Lee Kroon is a Senior Industry Analyst for Andrews Consulting Group, a firm that helps mid-sized companies manage business transformation through technology. You can reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

LEE KROON
Lee Kroon is a Senior Industry Analyst for Andrews Consulting Group, a firm that helps mid-sized companies manage business transformation through technology.
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: