Tom, are you sure about that i7 processor spec? I believe the i7 is a 4-core processor, not a 6-core processor. And if you turn off hiperthreading it really is only 4 cores, not the 8 cores you seem to have with hiperthreading turned on.
Plus, I read this in the specs for the hardware supported by RD&T: Processor core requirement: At least 1 Linux core is required for each set of 3 z/OS cores implemented. For standard installations, IBM recommends a 4-Core system with 1 core devoted to linux and 3 cores devoted to z/OS. For Sysplex installations, IBM recommends an 11-Core system with 3 cores devoted to linux and 8 cores devoted to z/VM and its guests. AFAIK ordinary people don't have access to an 11-core system. That would require a "PC" with four i7 CPU's on the motherboard, and I don't know of any such "PC" motherboard out there. Does that mean RD&T cannot really support a "Sysplex installation"? Peter -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU] On Behalf Of Pinnacle Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 9:26 AM To: IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU Subject: Rational Development and Test (RD&T) aka z/OS on a PC I've been remiss in not posting this sooner on IBM-Main. I recently purchased Rational Development & Test (RD&T) from IBM, a product which allows anyone to run z/OS on Intel hardware. That's right, anyone. You do not have to own any big iron. Any high-schooler, college kid, z/OS professional, etc. can order this product and run z/OS on a PC platform. For ordering details, go to this link: http://www-03.ibm.com/software/products/en/ratideveandtestenviforsystz There are two main pricing options, about 9K for the perpetual license with 15%/yr service renewal, or about 4K for a yearly fixed-term license. I chose the 9K option because I am definitely in this for the long haul. Before you start screaming "That's too expensive", take a look at what it costs for a yearly Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) subscription: http://www.visualstudio.com/products/how-to-buy-vs That's right folks, depending on your level of MSDN, z/OS is extremely competitive with MSDN from a price standpoint. You all know that I've never been shy about criticizing IBM when I disagree with them. I've been advocating for 15 years to create a Personal Use license for z/OS. Well folks, IBM came through for us, and they came through big time. RD&T IS the z/OS Personal Use license. Anyone can now run z/OS in the comfort of their own home. I've been running z/OS V1R13 on my own PC at home now for about 4 months, and I couldn't be happier with it. For those of you saying, "I can't afford it", my response would be "how can you not?". This is our livelihood, our careers. The investment you make in RD&T is an investment in your future. If you go through with the order, you will need to take one additional step that is not yet well-documented (IBM is fixing that). After purchasing RD&T, you will have what's called a Passport Advantage account. You'll need to sign on to that and process an order for Physical Media. This will order the USB license key dongle necessary to run RD&T on the zPDT emulator, and will also provide you a set of DVD's for the RD&T install. You can also download the RD&T software if you wish to begin installation immediately. The part number for the USB license key is: BA16UML. After ordering the physical media, you should have it within a day or two via 2-day air. Please let me know if you have any issues with ordering RD&T, and I'll do what I can to assist. You will also need a reasonable PC, and a Linux distribution to run on it. I got an Asus system with an i7 (6 core) processor, 16GB memory, 10GB Ethernet, 2 1TB hard drives for about 1K. Be sure to turn off hiperthreading in the BIOS, as that can cause CPU loops. For the Linux distribution, I recommend OpenSUSE (http://www.opensuse.org/en/), which is now fully-supported by IBM, or you can go with a supported package like RedHat or Suse. I run the Gnome desktop, but you can choose KDE if you like. After installing Linux, you would then unload the z/OS volumes, install the RD&T software (the zPDT emulation layer), enable your license key, and IPL. z/OS on your own home PC! I firmly believe that RD&T is a game-changer. It addresses so many of the needs discussed here in the past, recapturing mind share, making z/OS prevalent, addressing the skills shortage in a truly meaningful way, and assuring the future of the z/OS platform well into the 21st century. I'll be posting more about RD&T in the future. In the meantime, I'd recommend you go buy RD&T, or start budgeting to buy RD&T. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Regards, Tom Conley -- This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. 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