Re: Processor speed -- MIDRANGE-L

See this:The news400 article claims that a dual intel zeon 400mhz CPU can run JAVA better than the current range of AS/400s

http://www.as400network.com/resources/artarchive/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewarticle&CO_ContentID=7060&CFID=181184&CFTOKEN=93662538

The AS/400 Isn’t There Yet

My analysis of currently available information and subsequent discussions with several knowledgeable independent software vendors (ISVs) and IBM lead me to conclude that the current AS/400 product line can’t meet the challenge, especially at the low end. The minimum configuration to run WAS AE on the AS/400 is a model 170 2385 with 1 GB of memory, a hardware cost of at least $55,000. Compare this with an entry point of less than $5,000 to run WAS AE on a Netfinity Windows NT Server system. I realize a Windows NT Server system used for production requires more than the minimum, but $55,000 is far above any reasonable estimate of the cost to deploy an entry-level Netfinity server to run production WAS AE applications. As it stands today, the AS/400 has minimal ability to compete in the entry-level market for developers and small sites. If this situation is left uncorrected, the AS/400 faces a tenuous future as a small business system.

It also appears that the rest of the AS/400 line suffers to some degree from the same problem as the entry-level machines — processors that are underpowered to handle EJB-based applications at a reasonable cost. The traditional AS/400 system design provides good price/performance for multiuser, transaction-processing applications implemented with RPG or Cobol, tightly integrated database access, and synchronous 5250 terminal I/O. But EJB-based applications place very different demands on a system — most importantly, these applications are much more CPU-intensive. The mismatch between the current AS/400 system designs and EJB application requirements means you have to buy a more expensive AS/400 to get an adequate CPU. Keep in mind, of course, that this mismatch may be less of a problem for larger systems running mostly traditional applications and a moderate EJB load.

-----Original Message-----
From: David Shea <dshea@arctools.com>
To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com <MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com>
Date: Tuesday, 25 April 2000 09:14
Subject: Re: Processor speed

"Processor speed" is irrelevant and would be misleading. The AS/400 architecture is so different from PCs and other machines that to compare by MHz rating is meaningless. The AS/400 also uses multiple co-processors (in all their boxes, not just the multi-processor boxes), so it's not a fair comparison to a PC where almost everything passes through the CPU.

You must be looking for a MHz number because you want to compare an AS/400 to some other box where MHz ratings are common. A more useful approach might be to tell us what you are trying to compare, and then you'll get feedback from people that are doing what you are analyzing. So, if you're looking to support 500 users on an Exhange box versus Domino, you'll get some feedback on that question.

Good luck.

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----- Original Message -----

From: Quazy

To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com

Sent: Monday, April 24, 2000 11:25 AM

Subject: Processor speed

I have a 9406-720 207E with processor feature #2063 and interactive #1504 2-way (810 CPW)

I would like to know what the speed rateing is on the processor in MHz not in CPW's how and where can I find out.

I would also like to konw what speed my CD-ROM drive is. It is a #6321 Model 2

Thanks Chris