stuck on slow cisc box ... options?

[Bob Clarke 3rd x4502 <clarke@xxxxxxxx>]

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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