Re: Upgrade existing machine or buy new?

WRKQRY runs fine on my 6.1 lpars. And it's a safe bet that it doesn't die
on 7.1.

Anything with web or "newer" technologies like php, I'd say go with newer
machines. The processors themselves are just tuned for those loads much
better.

Replace and do not try to migrate your disk drives. They're too old. Way
too old and dog slow. Even 70GB's are phasing out. Larger disks with
better cache and faster spin rates are the norm. You get a 4 drive raid
set of 140's and you'll be sitting tall in the saddle. Your disk drives
wouldn't even run on power 6 hardware. Don't go with 35GB's, they're 10k
vs 15k speed. Yes, that is significant.

Forget 1/4" tape cartridges for back up. They're officially on the
endangered species list. Along with 3581, 3582, 3583, 3490, 3570, 3590,
and more. Well, maybe the 30GB and 50GB 1/4" cartridges may be supported.
But they don't read a whole lot of the older cartridges. I'd look at
LTO4 or LTO3 at the earliest. Which could make system migration
"interesting". Hopefully your BP can find someone local who can duptap
for you. You might have to ftp or something with image catalogs. This
may make for one long weekend. IOW, I really discourage trying to hold on
to old hardware as long as you have. Sort of like trying to move from a 5
1/4" diskette PC to a new PC with only a DVD drive.

Don't know if you can do an unload/reload on your 170 to replace the disk
drives with 70's or greater and then move those to the new machine. Allows
you to bust it up over a few weekends and not have to involve a buddy to
duptap. But, since you're running a 170 the highest level of OS you can
go is V5R3. And the only stepping stone is an older 520, (not a power
520). And since you have a tendency to keep your machines for too long I
don't recommend you go with something with that kind of age.

Rob Berendt