Radoslaw, The cost disadvantage of having to buy the z9BC may not be there. We are upgrading (smaller-grading??) from an H50 to a z9BC R07 G01. Our size is dropping from 120 to 110 MIPS and the cost savings from software savings will pay for the new box in 3 years. Mark is dropping significantly in horsepower so my guess is that his payback is much shorter.
Rex <clip> I'd start with disadvantage: you already have MP3K, and z9BC need to be paid. Some of the features are extra paid. YMMV - total price depends on negotiation process. OK, now the advantages: 1. 64-bit, current version of z/OS supported. 2. More memory. 3. Much more channels possible. 4. Faster channels. Ficon 2/4Gbps, OSA 1/10Gbps. 5. Specialized channels (chpids): OSN, IQD, ICP, CFP, CBP. 6. Specialized engines: ICF, IFL, zAAP, zIIP. 7. Real coupling facility. For limited testing purposes it does *not* require ICF purchase. For regular usage ICF is strongly recommended. 8. Crypto: CPACF, optional CEX2C cards. More features, better performance. 9. Much more LPARs. 10. Costs of h/w maintenance (YMMV), spare parts availability. 11. More concurrency during H/W maintenance/upgrade, etc. 12. Better apperance <g> As general, your mileage may vary. The advantages are useful only when you need them or *may* need in a future. -- Radoslaw Skorupka Lodz, Poland </clip> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
