RE: stuck on slow cisc box ... options?

Backup controller is usually CTL02,0,0.  The only thing that may not work
with a faster processor is the memory.  Check it out before purchasing the
memory.  But over doubling your memory will get rid of page faulting with
will make a tremendous performance increase.  You may run out of processor
though if more jobs start running.  What is you disk arm utilization.  If it
is low, then you have enough arms,  If high, add more drives.  If your
projected growth is little, it could be cost effective, but upgrading to a
bigger machine can save you money on maintenance, software license fee, etc.
With the price/performance of new 170 you can scream and save money.  I do
not think it would be wise to spend more money on your boat anchor.  I know
I just spent equivalent of half the cost of a 170 on upgrading a
9402-200/2030 and now I am replacing it with the 170.

Christopher K. Bipes     mailto:ChrisB@Cross-Check.com
Sr. Programmer/Analyst   mailto:Chris_Bipes@Yahoo.com
CrossCheck, Inc.         http://www.cross-check.com
6119 State Farm Drive    Phone: 707 586-0551 x 1102
Rohnert Park CA  94928 Fax: 707 586-1884

*Note to Recruiters
Neither I, nor anyone that I know of, is interested in any new and/or
exciting positions. Please do not contact me.


-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Clarke 3rd x4502 [mailto:clarke@teri.org]
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 1999 7:07 AM
To: 'midrange-l'
Subject: stuck on slow cisc box ... options?


Greetings - I am presently responsible for our corporate AS/00 .. a cisc
model 310-2043.  This system is absolutely overworked, and we will be
looking at a risc upgrade after the first of the year (current budget,
projects, etc. eliminate the possibility of doing so sooner).  Meanwhile, I
need to look into my options with regard to upgrading the existing
configuration.  I've already tweaked memory pools, time slices, etc. as best
as I can.  Minimally I plan to upgrade memory as all indications (mostly
monitoring wrksyssts day to day) are that we would see <some> improvement by
doing so.  Basically, I'm just looking to tide us over till late spring
without spending a fortune.  I do have a couple of questions:

        - My 'AS/400 Handbook' states that 'A #5144 external Additional
Battery Backup' is required when the Main Storage
          exceeds 384M.' - which will be the case as I will be upgrading
from 256mb to the max. 832mb.  Unfortunately I cannot find        any info
in the handbook re: the #5144.  This entire system is on a properly sized
UPS which is running at around 40%        capacity.  Would I still need a
#5144?

        - Is it possible to upgrade just the processor?  As I mentioned,
we're running a 2043, but a significantly faster 2044 is
          available for the 310.  Where it's just a feature card I can't
imagine why it would not be a simple card swap - unless
          there would be any compatibility issues with other components(?).
If this is possible, does anyone know where I
          might find a 2043 and roughly how much it would cost?

        - One question unrelated to my performance issue - I recall having
read/heard somewhere that in addition to controller 1,
          port 0, address 0 there is another port designated for system
console (backup?).  Now I can't find that info anywhere.
          Does anyone know which it is or know where I may have read this?
I want to say it's either controller 1, port 1, address 0         or
controller 2, port 0, address 0 - but I just don't remember.

Thanks heaps for any help anyone might be able to provide.

Regards,

Bob Clarke
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