Re: iSeries vs MS Server 2003

One thing to remember .. there is only one iSeries, whereas there are
an infinite number of Wintel server configurations.

Windows Server 2003 has crossed the threshold into "enterprise class",
but great care has to be taken with configuration, and with the
hardware.  There are Wintel platforms that will give the iSeries a run
for it's money in terms of speed, throughput, and reliability.  IBM is
making Wintel hardware platforms that perform amazingly well and are
nearly bulletproof.

It is hard to get "enterprise class" on the Wintel platform, whereas
it is pretty easy on the iSeries.  If you need five 9's availability,
on the iSeries it is easy, on Wintel it isn't.  If you need to
increase performance, iSeries upgrades are (with few exceptions) easy
and work well, but Wintel upgrades are more problematic and variable.

I don't engage the "cost" or "TCO" arguments, as it seems impossible
to get to an "apples to apples" comparison.  On both platforms, you
can get to any level of performance and reliability that you are
willing to pay for.  On both platforms, getting truly high
availability is expensive.

Just my 0.02.

On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 07:09:36 -0600, Cletus <cletusr@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> I am working with a prospect that is currently MS centric. There are
> multiple servers, each providing separate and non integrated functions for
> the diversified organization. My general consensus is to base your core
> applications on an iSeries and the additional ones on MS, with some sort of
> integration.
> 
> Years ago, IBM had several white papers and marketing pieces that compared
> the two technologies, with MS always at least 2 years behind in architecture
> and reliability. I am interested in looking for any updated material in that
> vein again, whether from IBM or not.
> 
> All comments are welcome!
> 
> Cletus

-- 
Tom Jedrzejewicz
tomjedrz@xxxxxxxxx