> 64-bit guests run on Flex-ES.

If you can *get* the 64-bit zSeries enablement code. That's the first  (and
more critical) problem.

> Just much more slowly than they need
> to.

Separate (but related) problem.

> My understanding is that IBM refuses to allow Flex-ES to be licensed
> on 64-bit host OSes, at least for PWD members, which we are.

No, it's a two part issue -- see above. Once the 64-bit zArch enablement
code is accessible, then it's a question of exploitation of 64-bit host
capabilities. A 2-way Opteron box could deliver O(150) zSeries MIPS if it
was allowed to operate in native 64-bit mode. The Flex code that is
accessible to the public is still a) 32-bit only, and b) doesn't enable
zArchitecture mode for non-PWD members.

> Hercules is also, as far as I know,
> slower on the same hardware than Flex-ES; one of its design goals has
> been portability, and it explicitly trades performance for
> portability.  Point is, it's a nonstarter for a shop that wants to do
> Linux-on-z/VM and not Linux-in-an-LPAR.

It's also a violation of the license agreements for z/VM et al.

> We have neither money, space, nor power for a real z9, even a small
> one, and its associated disks.

This is the largest issue: environmentals. 400 sq ft for z9+disk plus at
least 3 dedicated 30A (or more) circuits, versus 4RU for the dual Opteron
box AND 3.5TB of disk, both of which run on 110VAC. Add another 4RU for a
3480 autoloader, also 110VAC.

That one's easy.

-- db

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