Will we ever see a 3Ghz mainframe? Who knows, the z890/z990/System z9
go a long way to bringing Linux workloads back to the mainframe.
Customers that were upset at performance back in the G5 days should give
it another try, it has become much better. What sort of workload do you
want to run on your IFL? Don't know? You still certainly won't be
running any CPU crunching apps like matrix calculations or seismic
analysis. Java application servers are running alot better on the newer
hardware (WebSphere on a MP3000 was somewhat painful).
The usual caveats apply here, an IFL is great at the majority of
workloads that use up to 15-20% of a server, with a large dose of 'It
Depends' added to it. Workloads are easily measured over time to
determine if they are a good candidate. Existing Linux workloads are
the easist, Windows workloads a little harder depending upon what it is.
I personally know of shops with dozens and dozens of Linux servers
running on their mainframe. z/VM does a great job of resource allocation.
Porowski, Ken wrote:
Just had a brief conversation with one of our server gang ... mentioned
that they should try an IFL on the mainframe ... He claimed that a rep
(IBM?) was in once and stated that the 'processor speed' was only 900
MHz so couldn't really compete with what we were looking for. I also
mentioned that the 'engine' was relatively cheap at only $125K. After
he finished laughing he stated do you have any idea how much hardware I
can buy for $125K?
I don't consider the IFL's as the savior of the mainframe as I define
the 'mainframe' as roughly equivalent to 'big box running z/OS'. zIIPs
and zAAPs are another matter though.
--
Rich Smrcina
VM Assist, Inc.
Main: (262)392-2026
Cell: (414)491-6001
Ans Service: (360)715-2467
rich.smrcina at vmassist.com
Catch the WAVV! http://www.wavv.org
WAVV 2006 - Chattanooga, TN - April 7-11, 2006
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