On Tue, Oct 18, 2016 at 10:51:56PM +0000, Ralph Siegler wrote: > On Tue, 18 Oct 2016 11:48:04 -0600, Jack J. Woehr wrote: > > > Chris Bennett wrote: > >> Does anyone need a Power8? > > > > Chris, this is the hottest high-end server in the IBM universe today. > > > The Power8 *needs* OpenBSD because they don't have a really good > > firewalling regimen at that level. > > > > Ya know, I actually admin some AIX Power8 boxes besides the Linux and BSD > at work, and put together the specs for two employer just purchased for > G/L application >
Ah, someone with some Power8 boxes! OK, Power8 officially works with Linux. What does Linux bring to the table for these boxes? Useful applications or just showing up for the hell of it? Off-list, I have been informed that there ARE developers interested in this architecture. Below you suggest getting going with Power6 and 7, which are much cheaper to purchase. Would it be reasonable to look at this the other way around: Develop the Power8 architecture now so that when prices fall later, companies can then afford to buy them and immediately use a developed and tested OpenBSD on them? Chris Bennett > and openbsd is my favorite server OS > > BUT > > no one is going to buy box from product line that starts at $11,000 (non- > expandable entry level box) to run pf on 1 of its six cores. That's > crazy talk. And anu more usual power8 box is going to be $50K and up. > x86-64 would be much more cost effective for any app where OpenBSD shines > like web server, mail, dns, firewall, router, etc. and etc. > > There is zero need, use or justification for openbsd on power8 in 2016. > People buy power8 because there is app that requires it or other Unix > with a (TM) after it. > > For the low end expandable $26,000 each boxes, well at least a body only > need plug in two of the four 900W power supplies if only single six-core > cpu is installed, can keep electric bill low that way. HA! > > I especially like the comment about wanting openbsd port for power8 > desktop or laptop....someone never lifted a power8 chip plus heat sink I > can tell > > What would be *useful* is Power6 port that could optionally run on later > models, some good deals on ebay with power7 going for $3k and up) But > IBM isn't going to help with that.
