04
Mon, Nov
1 New Articles

IBM Unveils High-End POWER5 Models

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

Yesterday, at the COMMON Fall Conference in Toronto, IBM's Bill Zeitler and Mike Borman took the stage to announce the most powerful midrange system in the company's history. That system--the eServer i5 Model 595--offers as many as 64 POWER5 processors to support workloads running on i5/OS, AIX, and Linux. In addition, IBM's pSeries group announced two high-end eServer p5 systems that support i5/OS as well as AIX and Linux applications. The new POWER5 servers push the eServer i5 and p5 families to performance levels that exceed those of many IBM mainframes.

The eServer i5 Model 595 represents an enormous performance and capacity boost for IBM's customers. Compared to the largest iSeries Model 890, the Model 595 delivers more than four times the performance, eight times the memory, and eight times the number of logical partitions (LPARs). The high-end server comes in three configurations: an 8/16-way version with eight active and eight standby processors, a 16/32-way, and a 32/64-way. The processors on all three configurations run at 1.65 GHz, the same clock speed as the eServer i5 Model 570. IBM will start shipping the Model 595 on November 19.

To underline its commitment to POWER5 customers, IBM also announced the eServer p5 Models 590 and 595 last Friday. While the two models use virtually the same hardware as the eServer i5 Model 595, they have slightly different packaging. The eServer p5 Model 590 comes with 8 to 32 POWER5 processors running at 1.65 GHz. The eServer p5 Model 595 offers 16 to 64 POWER5 processors running at either 1.65 GHz or 1.9 GHz. According to my sources inside IBM, the computer giant decided to limit its 1.9 GHz processors to the eServer p5 because it can only guarantee adequate yields of the chips for one processor line. Besides, the eServer p5 has to compete with other UNIX servers in sales engagements where performance benchmarks are often critical to winning over customers.

Speeds and Feeds

No matter what clock speed the eServer i5 Model 595 runs at, the system gives iSeries customers a hefty increase in processing bandwidth. The following table offers technical specifications that demonstrate this fact.

 

The eServer i5 Model 595 Compared to the iSeries 890
Processor Feature Codes
890-2497
890-2498
595-0946
595-0947
595-0952
Processor
16/24-way
POWER4
1.3GHz
24/32-way
POWER4
1.3GHz
8/16-way
POWER5 1.65GHz
16/32-way
POWER5 1.65GHz
32/64-way
POWER5
1.65GHz
Processor CPW Range
20000--29300
29300--37400
24500--45500
46000--85000
86000 -165000
Editions and Offerings
Standard
Enterprise
High Avail.
Capacity BK
Standard
Enterprise
High Avail.
Capacity BK
Standard
Enterprise
Standard
Enterprise
Standard
Enterprise
On Demand Capabilities
Processors
Processors
Processors
Memory
Reserve COD
Processors
Memory
Reserve COD
Processors
Memory
Reserve COD
Memory (Maximum)1
192GB
256GB
512GB
1TB
2TB
Disk Storage (Maximum)
144TB
144TB
114TB
190TB
190TB
IXS/IXA Cards (Maximum)
48 / 60
48 / 60
60 / 48
60 / 57
60 / 57
Maximum LPARs2
32 OS/400
32 Total
No AIX support
32 OS/400
32 Total
No AIX support
64 i5/OS
160 Total
Supports AIX
64 i5/OS
254 Total
Supports AIX
64 i5/OS
254 Total
Supports AIX
OS/400 Release Support
V5R2, i5/OS
V5R2, i5/OS
i5/OS
i5/OS
i5/OS
Software Tier
P50
P50
P50
P50
P60

1 The maximum memory limits for the Model 595 will be achievable when using a 32 GB memory feature that IBM will ship during the second quarter of 2005.
2 Both the iSeries 890 and eServer i5 Model 595 support a maximum of 10 LPARs per processor.

As the above table indicates, the eServer i5 Model 595 has enough processing throughput and memory capacity to consolidate multiple iSeries Model 890 systems (or for that matter, large UNIX servers). Indeed, IBM decided to create a new P60 software price tier for the 32/64-way server because its performance is in an entirely different class than servers in the P50 tier. However, high-end customers should note that for the next several months, the maximum memory levels that the Model 595 will support are half of what the table shows. That is because IBM is waiting on its suppliers for a 32 GB memory card that will double the capacity per memory slot on the new servers.

As expected, the Model 595 enables customers to create up to 254 LPARs on a single server. The new model also allows customers to support up to 64 i5/OS LPARs, twice the number supported on the Model 890. As for Linux and AIX LPARs, customers can run up to 10 per processor up to the maximum number of 254.

Speaking of LPARs, IBM is using this announcement to formally declare its support for i5/OS LPARs on the eServer p5. Starting in December, IBM will allow users of the eServer p5 Model 570 to support i5/OS LPARs on a single processor for a maximum of 10 i5/OS LPARs. Owners of the eServer p5 Models 590 and 595 will be able to support i5/OS LPARs on two processors for a total of 20 LPARs. Because this announcement involves some unique configuration requirements and pricing structures, I will study it in detail in a future issue.

Good Things Come in Big Packages

While we are on the topic of pricing structures, you should know that IBM used the same packaging rules to price the eServer i5 Model 595 that it used for the Model 570. As the following table shows, both the Standard and Enterprise Editions of the new model include four i5/OS processor licenses. The Enterprise Edition also includes four Enterprise Enablement Features that provide the equivalent of four processors' worth of 5250 application performance.

 

Packaging and Pricing for eServer i5 Models 570 and 595
Model Number
Active/Standby
Processors
Performance
Standard Edition
Base Offering
Enterprise Edition
Base Offering
Active Processors2
Processors with i5/OS Licenses3
Base
Price
Active Processors2
Processors with i5/OS Licenses3
Enterprise Enablement Features4
Base
Price
570-0930
1/2-way
3300-6000 CPW
1
1
$71,000
1 + 11
1
2
$300,000
570-0921
2/4-way
6350-12000 CPW
2
1
$82,000
2 + 11
1
4
$450,000
570-0922
5/8-way
15200-23500 CPW
5
4
$276,000
5 + 11
4
4
$662,000
570-0924
9/12-way
25500-33400 CPW
9
4
$339,000
9 + 11
4
4
$970,000
570-0926
13/16-way
6350-44700 CPW
13
4
$404,000
13 + 11
4
4
$1,358,000
595-0946
8/16-way
24500-45500 CPW
8
4
$783,000
8 + 11
4
4
$1,549,000
595-0947
16/32-way
46000-85000 CPW
16
4
$1,436,000
16 + 11
4
4
$2,223,000
595-0952
32/64-way
86000-165000 CPW
32
4
$2,714,000
32 + 11
4
4
$3,578,000

1 The number of active processors includes one additional processor activation provided in the Enterprise Edition.
2 Additional processors may be activated at a cost of $7,700 per processor (on the Model 570) or $21,000 (on the Model 595).
3 Additional i5/OS licenses are available for $45,000 per processor.
4 Additional Enterprise Enablement features may be purchased if required. The cost is $150,000. Customers can also purchase maximum 5250 capacity on all active processors for $250,000 (on the Model 570) or $350,000 (on the Model 595).

I do not have space in this article to analyze the pricing of the Model 595. However, IBM is claiming that, depending on the configuration, the Model 595 has a 30% to 68% lower cost per CPW than the Model 890. That seems realistic to me, but I will examine the claim at length in a future article.

While the Models 570 and 595 have almost identical packaging rules, there is one area where they diverge. While Model 570 owners pay $7,700 to activate a standby processor, Model 595 owners will pay $21,000. IBM may justify the difference by pointing out that it charges more to activate a processor on the iSeries Model 890 than on smaller iSeries models. That is true, but continuing the practice seems questionable when a single processor activation on the Model 595 provides the same number of CPWs as a single processor activation on the Model 570. I hope that IBM reconsiders this one component of a price structure that is quite sound in other respects.

By the way, you may have noticed that IBM only announced Standard and Enterprise Editions of the Model 595. If you're wondering whether Big Blue will announce High Availability or Capacity Backup offerings of the Model 595, I can assure you that the company will do so in the coming months. For the moment, customers who need these offerings can request them via the special bid process. IBM is eager to close as much business as it can before the year ends, so it will probably accommodate such bids wherever possible.

Clearly, the Model 595 gives IBM's larger iSeries customers a new range of computing options to consider. Next week, I intend to write an article that examines some of those options, 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: