Re: NT vs AS/400

> From: "John Taylor" <john.taylor@telusplanet.net>

> So why does the same 8GB drive cost $300
> on xSeries, and over $4000 on iSeries?

> This is one of the main reasons that we run separate NT
> servers instead of the integrated card - the disk is just too
> expensive. It's also the reason that our webserving isn't done
> on the iSeries.

That's true.  We have more favorable to say for Rochester when we're
considering Windows vs. OS/400, rather than iSeries  vs. xSeries.  And that
was the premise of Avi's original post.  Rochester may have priced itself
out of the file server, print server, web server, mail server, and
communication server markets.  And in my mind, that's a big mistake, because
it ultimately encroaches into the database and business application server
markets.  But if we switch gears, and focus on integrating Web technologies
with business data - that's where the iSeries has an opportunity to strut
its stuff.

For example, we could talk about the close coupling of ILE languages and
record level database access.  That proven combination leads to the most
functional, best performing, most fault tolerant applications.  Contrast
that with an ODBC or similar connection to the database.  We could talk
about the productivity of ILE languages and supporting tools.  I have a lot
of experience with Windows based software development, and I can
unequivocally say that I and my peers have been less productive with Windows
based languages and tools.  We could talk about application deployment
across multiple hardware tiers vs. hosting applications on a single server.
The former leads to extra requirements, a need for multiple skill sets,
increased complexity, less reliability, extra systems management, and poorer
performance.

These are but a few points.  So, while it's unfortunate that Rochester has
priced itself out of some significant markets, I think there's a future for
iSeries in the Web Application Server market.

Nathan.


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