29
Fri, Nov
0 New Articles

IBM Points to POWER5 Future

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

Last month, IBM used the Hot Chips microprocessor conference held at Stanford University to publicly discuss details about its next-generation POWER5 processor for the first time. Those details reveal much about the performance that customers can expect from the new iSeries servers that IBM should unveil in the spring of 2004.

As you know from articles that I have previously published, IBM intends to announce a new lineup of iSeries servers next year that utilize up to 64 POWER5 processors. When IBM briefed me about POWER5 several months ago, it required me to sign a nondisclosure agreement that remained in effect until the Hot Chips conference. Now that the conference is over, I can share much of what I know with you about the processor's design and its future on the iSeries.

The POWER5 chip bears several similarities to the current POWER4+ processors that run on the latest pSeries servers. Like POWER4+, the POWER5 processors will initially utilize a 0.13-micron lithography process; in 2005, the POWER5+ will shrink down to a 0.09-micron process. The POWER5 also incorporates the dual-core design (i.e., two CPUs per chip) found on both POWER4 and POWER4+ as well as an on-chip L2 cache that is shared between processor cores.

Beyond these similarities, however, POWER5 will be a much faster and smarter chip than its predecessors. Here are the key enhancements that IBM is building into the processor.

  • Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT)--With POWER5, each processor core will be able to execute two threads concurrently. This enhancement is similar to the HyperThreading feature found on Intel's latest Xeon processors. For some applications--particularly those that are object-oriented and highly granular--SMT will boost overall performance by 40% or more. Moreover, SMT will not require any application recoding to take advantage of the feature. However, many applications written in older procedural languages will realize little to no performance gain from SMT.
  • More on-board cache and controllers--As part of the processor design, IBM is putting more components on the same chip as the CPU cores. This reduces data path lengths and allows for faster cycle times. Specifically, IBM is bringing the main memory controller and L3 cache into the POWER5 processor chip. It is also increasing the size of the L2 cache from 1.5 MB to around 2 MB. This will allow the initial batch of POWER5 processors to run at cycle times of 2 GHz or slightly higher. However, IBM will likely offer POWER5 servers running at two or three different cycle times, including at least one cycle time under 2 GHz.
  • Dynamic power management--Because it will have more on-board components and transistors than previous designs, POWER5 will be about 24% larger than POWER4+. Under normal circumstances, this would increase power consumption and heat, two of the greatest enemies of processor design. To avoid both of these problems, IBM has added logic to the chip that enables it to shut off power to components that are not in use.
  • Acceleration technologies--For POWER5, IBM will make a handful of improvements to boost both floating point and database processing. I cannot offer more information about those improvements at this time, but I will do so as soon as I can.

Clearly, POWER5 will represent an enormous performance boost for the iSeries. According to sources within IBM, the vendor will probably announce POWER5 versions of the iSeries during the opening weeks of spring in 2004. The first POWER5 models to ship will likely be smaller servers with up to eight processors; models with more processors will probably ship one to two months later. The largest models will feature...

  • 64 processors
  • Either 512 GB or 1 TB of memory
  • Support for up to 256 logical partitions running OS/400, Linux, and AIX
  • A performance rating of approximately 150,000 CPW (roughly four times the performance of the current 32-way iSeries 890)

As for the pricing of the new servers, IBM is disclosing nothing publicly. Obviously, customers will enjoy a significant improvement in their raw costs per CPW. However, the big question will be whether IBM reduces prices for memory, disk storage, and other items that make up the lion's share of server costs.

I can tell you that there are discussions taking place within IBM about those prices and that those discussions are focusing on whether to use the POWER5 announcement to "equalize" prices for iSeries and pSeries server components. Such a move would make sense given the fact that, with POWER5, the iSeries and pSeries will be able to run each other's operating systems. If IBM does use POWER5 to introduce component price parity, it could dramatically reduce prices for iSeries hardware features that are shared with the pSeries. However, IBM's pricing deliberations are far from over, so nothing is set in stone yet. As details emerge in the coming months, I'll be sure to share them with you, so stay tuned.

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: