Timothy, You missed one other simple benefit of the z9. The memory is 20% cheaper per 8GB ($8,000 vs. $10,000). Granted, it is a small thing, but a benefit nevertheless.
What *I* am interested in seeing when we go to a z9 is how accurate those DB2/VSAM performance claims are! Bob Richards Technologist Enterprise Technology Infrastructure SunTrust Banks, Inc. (404) 575-2798 -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Timothy Sipples Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 9:09 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: IBM z9 upgrade and the SW pricing benefit Hopefully you'll get some real world feedback, but a few quick points... >We are looking into the SW pricing benefits of the IBM z990 and z9 >processors in that they will reduce your software MSU's by approximatelly >10% and 20% respectivley. Being a WLC customer, our understanding >(confirmed by IBM) is that our software MSU's used by SCRT to calculate our >software licence charge will drop by 10% for a z900 to z990 upgrade or 20% >for a z900 to z9 upgrade. Almost. Each major model changeover (e.g. z900 to z990, or z990 to System z9-109) provides what IBM calls the "technology dividend." For example, if you could find a z990 with identical performance/capacity to a z900 then the z990 would be rated at 10% fewer MSUs (i.e. software rating) than the z900. If you move from z900 to System z9-109 you get two 10% reductions which equates to 19% (not quite 20). In practice you don't always find models with identical performance/capacity, although with the z890 (sometimes added as a "rounding frame") you can get very, very close. Sometimes you end up with more capacity for the same (or somewhat lower) MSU rating. Other times you can get a much lower MSU rating. Just depends on where you are and what upgrade makes the most sense. Either way it's a win, and that's why it's always a good idea to look at new models when they come out. Everyone should be doing that for financial reasons, at least. Note also that z990, System z9-109, and z890 all have zAAPs available. It's a really good way to run Java, and that can offer additional software benefits. And IFLs (Linux engines) get faster as you upgrade, so that helps, too. And, as you upgrade models, they get better and better at handling crypto processing. A System z9-109 handles AES with hardware assist (CPACF), for example. Crypto offload can be quite useful -- and most customers keep adding crypto work to their mainframes to meet new privacy regulations. All that said, your software savings will depend on your mix of products, vendors, contract terms, and workloads. >Using a specific example - We have a z900 model 212 (depending on the chart >you use rated at 445 MSU's) and its 4HRA is 392 MSU. >- If we moved that z900 workload is moved to a z990 model 307 (rated at 451 >MSU's) our 4HRA would drop by 39 MSU's (ie 10% of 4HRA) to 353 MSU's. >- If that workload is moved to a z9 model 707 (rated at 479 SW MSU's) our >4HRA would drop by 78 MSU's (ie 20% of 4HRA) to 314 MSU's. I'm assuming the 7-way System z9 v. the 7-way z990 is because you want 7 physical engines. Obviously a 7-way System z9-109 has more performance and capacity than a 7-way z990. LEGAL DISCLAIMER The information transmitted is intended solely for the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of or taking action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you have received this email in error please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. Seeing Beyond Money is a service mark of SunTrust Banks, Inc. [ST:XCL] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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
