Performance analysis through IBM z114 mainframe Parameters

In the past 10 years, IBM has launched a series of Business-class, BC) servers to reduce the high overall cost of mainframe access and property rights, at the same time, it can also break into some medium-sized enterprises. To this end, IBM recently released a small, affordable, and entry-level BC mainframe-zEnterprise 114, a bit similar to the previous z800s and z890s. This article will focus on what the IBM z114 mainframe is, how it performs, And the conjecture of IBM's ultimate goal.

Z114 mainframe Overview

As a BC server, z114 is a smaller and less efficient mainframe than the IBM enterprise-class, EC) server z196. See the table below.

This table lists some important mainframe parameters. "Chassis Compartments)" is the minimum unit that can be purchased to load processors and memory. Although a chassis has a full set of hardware configurations, the microcode provided by IBM controls how much hardware can be activated. A z196 chassis is called a "book", and on z114, they are called "drawer ". A book or drawer) will bring some additional chassis, but users cannot use them, some are used as backup chassis in case of hardware damage, others are used for control.

You can see that there is a huge difference between z114 and z196. Apart from the performance gap, IBM still transplanted many z196 functions to z114 from the functional perspective. For example, z114 memory is designed by IBM's latest Redundant Array of independent memory RAID) to enhance availability, using RAID Redundant Arrays with Independent Disks) and store the same policy. The z114 mainframe can also use new commands, processor assembly line improvements, and unordered commands that can only be executed within the EC machine. Best of all, z114 also has the z series enterprise-level capabilities to manage distributed platform blade servers. A z114 cabinet can accommodate up to 112 PS701 Express blade servers, 28 Data power supplies, or 28 HX5 analytics blade servers in addition to two drawer mainframe devices.

Z114 also has some interesting advantages. IBM boast that z114 has 130 different processing capacity settings, known as "extreme granularity ". This granularity provides customers with more options to work with a certain workload when using z114, and can manage the software license cost caused by capacity because some software licenses are charged based on the computing resources used, such as the number of CPUs ), this allows you to allocate more accurate computing resources to each workload. From IBM's general rules and requirements, each box device must contain an equivalent number of general processors, GPs) and special processors, for example, in Linux, Integrated Facility for Linux, IFL) and Internal Coupling Facility, ICF), but z114 allows customers to select only IFL-and ICF-configuration options. With this option, you can directly purchase IFLs and ICFs without buying a matched GP.

Find a suitable destination for IBM z114

IBM defines z114 as an entry-level mainframe at a minimum price of $75,000 USD ). The blue giant IBM has also designed a solution package for the Z series, including hardware, software, and three-year maintenance, with prices quite competitive.

Z114 is suitable for all data centers in terms of data center infrastructure requirements. Physical volume, it is smaller than the z10 large machine, and can be placed on no overhead floor or no overhead floor. Like z196, enterprises can wiring from the top or bottom of the cabinet and use high-voltage DC power. Many people may be concerned about power consumption. As IBM said, power consumption is definitely not a problem. This device uses less power than a dryer.

In fact, I have not seen many enterprises ready and willing to purchase z114 as a distribution system and transfer it to the z/OS system at the same time. If they want to do that, it will not only involve a lot of application transformation costs, but also do not have to build a team for mainframe support and architecture development from scratch.

Instead, IBM targets high-end distribution server markets and enterprises that are already running zLinux systems with Only IFL configurations. IBM designed z114 to help customers see the benefits of high computing density and low power costs. Z114 also provides more device integration capabilities, such as adding PS701 blades, data power supplies, or HX5 blades to the Cabinet.

This does not mean that z/OS customers do not find IBM z114 mainframe attractive. A device that only contains ICF configurations can provide relatively inexpensive external coupling facilities, and can also serve as a device that connects to the Parallel Sysplex mainframe. In addition, from the perspective of management costs, many enterprises choose to run expensive software that sells licenses based on computer resources on small and slow devices to run online and core systems on the mainframe. A properly configured z114 can be a better replacement for z196 with the same advantages, such as new commands and RAIM memory functions. Z114 also has some interesting capabilities, such as relatively small upgrades, which can give enterprises better control over the cost of processors and software.