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Good day everyone,

I am about to decide on a purchase of a new medium-size database
server (to run Oracle 9i RDBMS) and I have received two quotes from
local supplier. Machine configurations are quite similar - both come
with 4-way CPU, 8GB RAM, 4x72 GB ULTRA3 SCSI disks. Storage option is
separate (DS4300 storage expander) and is same for both models.

The first option is p650 7038-6M2-450 with 1.45 GHz POWER4+ CPU, and
the second is p570E 9117-570 with 1.65GHz POWER5 CPU. Second option is
a bit cheaper and (to me) seems to be more sophisticated in terms of
both technology and performance. I used the document called "IBM p5,
pSeries, OpenPower and IBM RS/6000 Performance Report October 15,
2004" for comparison. Almost all measurements show better figures on a
p5-570, for example, LINPACK index is 27,520 vs 14,480 on the p650.
Unfortunately, not all figures are available for both models,
especially on TPC-C series of tests with Oracle, but 570e outperforms
noticeably similar (or are they not similar?) models 655 and 660-M1
with same number of CPUs. I have asked our IBM supplier, but they did
not go further than 'more expensive model is definitely better in a
way'.

Now, I do understand there is no free lunch and there MUST be some
sort of a 'trade-off' in a cheaper p5-570E option (probably far more
expensive upgrades). Anyone on the list had experience with
comparing/upgrading/maintaining these machines or could give some sort
of advice? The price difference is not too big, but it gives me an
option to add some 4GB of RAM, if I go for the 'cheaper' p5-570 model
(and my budget is fixed). Any ideas?


Alexey

We are in the process of purchasing 2 P570 machines to use for
PeopleSoft and Oracle. We looked at buying the older P690 at a lower
price but settled on the smaller but scalable P570. The P690 can be
partitioned but requires a dedicated
processor for each partition where as the P570 does not. The P570
running AIX 5.3
can be "micro-partitioned" that is one processor can be split into ten
micro-partitions. The P570 running AIX 5.3 also allows virtualization
of all of the resources such as nic cards and fiber channel adapters
which reduces the number of those adapters that we need to buy.
The P570 architecture allows for much greater flexibility in my view
and has the capability to run OS 390, Linux, AIX, or even Microsoft
Windows. It is much easier
for me to justify the purchase of this type of system to management
because it offers more options for our data center. We can plug in more
modules to increase performance with out a significant investment in
new infrastructure.
I am not familiar with the P650 but if I am not mistaken it is the
older architecture which does not contain the newer features of the
P570. I'm sure I will be corrected if I am wrong.

Hope this helps.

Greg Donovan
Senior IT System Administrator
City and County of Denver

My opinions are my own and not my employer's.

Hi,

Greg you are right, the p570 is the newer technology and perhaps the
better choice.
But not all the features announced for the Power5 Architecture are
really supported by IBM yet.
For example the Virtualization of FC Adapters is not supported yet (It
works, We have tested it, but it's not supportet yet by IBM if you have
problems). And I think running Microsoft in an Power5 LPAR will never
be supported....

Axel

On 4 Feb 2005 01:28:22 -0800, "axelsche" <axelsche@gmail.com> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>Greg you are right, the p570 is the newer technology and perhaps the
>better choice.
>But not all the features announced for the Power5 Architecture are
>really supported by IBM yet.
>For example the Virtualization of FC Adapters is not supported yet (It
>works, We have tested it, but it's not supportet yet by IBM if you have
>problems). And I think running Microsoft in an Power5 LPAR will never
>be supported....
>
>Axel


Well, Running Microsoft Windows on a p5 would be, to my opinion, a
rare type of perversion. Linux on an LPAR is a much more realistic
choice, as we have Oracle on Linux at some remote sites and testing
things locally could be a good idea.

Otherwise I've made my mind towards the p5 570, Oracle doesn't seem to
have any objections against it either.

Alexey

You should select the p5 570. Compared to a similar p650, you'll get
better performance with Oracle 9i. BTW, be sure to properly configure
the server for RDBMS performance (async I/O, vmo) and look into JFS2
Concurrent I/O option if you do not plan for raw devices.