Re: IBM i hosting "in the cloud"

Nathan:

Blades are indeed a potential solution. The potential kink in that method is the cost of the supporting hardware (and storage software) and memory limits on the blades that may become problematic in the scheme of things. We (meaning Larry and I) have several configurations that we think will work for the more permanent and long lasting solution that Aaron is driving at.

The software problem is stated: We would like to purchase from IBM the right to use IBM i and it's LPP's on a per use basis instead of the current model where you have to purchase the software all up front either by processor or User. That allows a partition to be put up for you that has the software you want, and pay for it as it is consumed. (IE: some number of weeks at a time). That keeps the upfront investment low enough that we can see promise to getting the deal done. Larry and I are in discussions with IBM about such a model now, and will report our progress as we can. There are a couple of other ideas that are being suggested as well that all have merit. The real issue is getting to a model that works keeping the upfront costs as low as possible and as you have suggested, adding capacity as it is consumed.

There are several folks from IBM following this thread and understand our fundamental approach, the next trick is to get it into a form that IBM can step up to support. That is what we are having discussions on now. IBM is also discussing the situation with the ISVs in Rochester this week and there may be some interesting ideas coming out of that as well.

We think we have the monitoring kicked out of the way so we are down to getting the upfront capital costs at a level that is sustainable.

Personally, I think we are very close to a solution that will work for everyone.


Jim Oberholtzer
CEO/Chief Technical Architect
Agile Technology Architects, LLC


On 5/19/2010 1:05 PM, Nathan Andelin wrote:

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From: Jim Oberholtzer
The problem is two fold, first a licensing model that can
be monitored and measured needs to be devised.

I'm not sure that I understand the problem. My understanding is that most IBM i licensing is according to "processor", or "user". It seems that you can certainly monitor users. And it seems that Power blades would offer an opportunity to begin with a 4-core processor, which is in the P05 tier, and you could add blades and disks to chassis a new tenants come on board. Start out small, and add capacity as new tenants come on board. And if push comes to shove, you could swap out early 4-core blades, with 8-core, or 16-core alternatives, based on growth. If I understand correctly, the licensing would only go up, when you need more capacity. What am I missing?

Blades offer more CPW bang for the buck. And it seems that you could partition 4-core Power7 (P05) processors in 1/10th increments, for smaller tenants.

The second and by far and away more difficult side is the method to
order, obtain license keys and pay for temporary use of the software.

If temporary is the issue, then IBM's Virtual Loaner Program would be the way to go. But Aaron prefaced this thread with the idea that a permanent, long-term commitment on the side of both hosting providers and tenants.

-Nathan.