I saw this the other day over on the IBM-MAIN list...thought so folks here might like to read it.........
I would like to relay what is real concerning zLinux costs and what is theory or conjecture. I run a z/900-101 with one IFL along with my z/900- 101 and z/900-102 in a Parallel Sysplex. First it makes no sense to bring up just 1-2 zLinux instances on an Enterprise Server. To make it cost effective, I figure it is around 20-30 and cheaper if there is more. So that lets out just using LPARs without z/VM. With z/VM V5,it is cheap. Here is the breakdown: 1. z/VM - $19K one time & about $5K Support & Subscription (S&S). 2. SuSe Linux - $16K one time. 3. SuSe Linux e-Maintenance - $13K yearly. this comes from Novell and entitles me to patches and upgrades all done from a web site. No phone calls. 4. IBM zLinux Support - $20K yearly. I wanted the same support as I get from IBM for z/OS and with this if I have a problem, IBM will create the patch immediately and then go staff it through the OPEN Source Community. 5. z/VM Assembler - go it free off the Internet. Can buy one from Dignis for about $5K I am told. 6. I wanted a z/VM & Linux monitor, bought ESALPS from Velocity Software for $30K. 7. IBM tells you for z/VM's DFSMS/VM you need ISPF/VM for $25K (was ($50K) and it is not true for cheaper DIRMAINT ($1K S&S) provides same functions. 8. I needed to buy RACF/VM to satisfy Auditors even though I only have three VM users (SYSPROG). It was around $12K & .($2K S&S). 9. Firewalls can be done with free IPTABLES or multiple IPLTABLES (defense in depth). 10. WAS for zLINUX is $25K and then about $4K S&S. 11. DB2 was about $25K and S&S is also about $4K. 12. Tivoli/TAMS can be licensed by user so it depends, not that outrageous. 13. The IFL engine for me was $120K but I am told it is now $80K and I know sites where IBM gave you one for free. 14. zAAP engines are only for z/OS and not available for z/VM or zLinux. 15. I used to train MVS'ers and z/VM troops. Today IBM has a free class for 3 days for z/VM & SuSe Linux install. My z/OS bigots attended and in no time they are doing enough z/VM to maintain it. Ok, I run a z/VM LPAR for Production with many Virtual Linux Servers. I am up to about 32 Virtual Servers and to do web serving, DB2 with IFL running about 10%. So it leaves me room to bring up more. I am looking to transfer a Windows $40K Oracle license to the IFL. Oracle charges $40K for an engine. So you can do porting for free on any platform and only need the license when it goes production. So if we port the application to zLinux, the production license comes too. Now once I have the license, the next port means I can terminate a $40K license on Windows. More likely I will just bring up more Oracle's on the zLinux using the one (1) license I will have. What'a deal. The same goes for DB2, I can run many at the same price. Then there is nothing too shabby about running Virtual Routers and Virtual Switches under z/VM (free). The network group casting a dim eye wanting to see something physical.I can talk amongst them using Hypersockets or a memory to memory transfer. I run an LPAR Test & Development LPAR with all the zLinux virtual machines. My SYSPROGs wanted a SYSPROG LPAR for new z/VM's although the learned about z/VM 2nd level. WOW. Is it dirt-cheap, no. Is it cheaper, yes. Jim Marshall -- DJ V/Soft Software
