RE: Power8 PCI slots -- MIDRANGE-L

Rob,

Our 3573 tape library has 4 LTO5 HH FC drives, we do use 4 drives simultaneously.
We connect via a Brocade FC switch.
Switch is configured so all 4 LTO drives are available to any LPAR at once.
Each LTO5 HH FC does need a FC connection on the i.
We have 2 FC ports on each, I'm not sure how this could be improved on.

Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: MIDRANGE-L [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of rob@xxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 6:59 PM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: RE: Power8 PCI slots

We did separate FC for each lpar until just now.

Rob Berendt
--
IBM Certified System Administrator - IBM i 6.1 Group Dekko Dept 1600 Mail to: 2505 Dekko Drive
Garrett, IN 46738
Ship to: Dock 108
6928N 400E
Kendallville, IN 46755
http://www.dekko.com

From: "Steinmetz, Paul" <PSteinmetz@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "'Midrange Systems Technical Discussion'"
<midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: 04/28/2014 04:53 PM
Subject: RE: Power8 PCI slots
Sent by: "MIDRANGE-L" <midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

Jim,

Because we really only have 2 LARS, we decided years back NOT to use
VIOS, KISS.
Each LPAR has its own hardware.
We need separate FC for tape for both production and R&D LPAR
(simultaneously both use tape), we no longer DLPAR FC for tape.
I use the CEC has a host for guest DSLO and testing LPARs only.

Yes, we need to wait and see the costs.

Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: MIDRANGE-L [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jim
Oberholtzer
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 4:49 PM
To: 'Midrange Systems Technical Discussion'
Subject: RE: Power8 PCI slots

Unless you really, I mean really need VIOS, I would not run it. Virtual
Ethernet and other support is so good at IBM i that unless you really need
NPIV support for external storage or Tape of some sort, I'd just use the
IBM I virtualization. It's fast, stupid easy to set up, and just works.

Rob's right you most likely could cut out all but one 4 port Ethernet
card, and depending on the tape you use, either virtualize it or if it's
fibre, then move the card(s) as it makes sense. We have not seen pricing
yet so we have no idea what that extra socket is going to cost.

--
Jim Oberholtzer
Chief Technical Architect
Agile Technology Architects

-----Original Message-----
From: MIDRANGE-L [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
rob@xxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 2:38 PM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: Re: Power8 PCI slots

Do you really need all 11 slots? Are some of these numerous fiber or
ethernet cards to support multiple lpars which would be better served
being virtualized via VIOS?

Rob Berendt
--
IBM Certified System Administrator - IBM i 6.1 Group Dekko Dept 1600 Mail
to: 2505 Dekko Drive
Garrett, IN 46738
Ship to: Dock 108
6928N 400E
Kendallville, IN 46755
http://www.dekko.com

From: "Steinmetz, Paul" <PSteinmetz@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "'Midrange Systems Technical Discussion'"
<midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: 04/28/2014 03:10 PM
Subject: Power8 PCI slots
Sent by: "MIDRANGE-L" <midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

This may a bit early and maybe pre-mature.
Now that the Power8 PCI slots are again "hot swappable" (Power 5 was,
Power 6 and Power7 not).
Current Power7 is configured with 2 loops, (4 5913) each 5913 pair is
split in one of two 5877, in case of drawer and/or loop failure.

If I were to upgrade to a Power8, at some point, I theoretically could
eliminate my two 5877, put all 11 slots in Power8 CEC.
Not only would this eliminate all expansion drawers, but also both GX++
loops.
Hardware maintenance would also be reduced.

One negative would be that I'd be maxed, no room for expansion, currently
I have 9 empty slots.

Any other negatives or thoughts from the group.

Thank You
_____
Paul Steinmetz
IBM i Systems Administrator

Pencor Services, Inc.
462 Delaware Ave
Palmerton Pa 18071

610-826-9117 work
610-826-9188 fax
610-349-0913 cell
610-377-6012 home

psteinmetz@xxxxxxxxxx<mailto:psteinmetz@xxxxxxxxxx>
http://www.pencor.com/

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