Hot Swap iSeries applications

Help me explain, to a non-iSeries person, the limitations of HOT SWAPPING on the iSeries.

I understand how system clustering and iASP works. That's what we are doing now using PowerHA SystemMirror for i.

The main limitation in this environment though is that the DB is not shared between 2 systems at the same time. iASP technology requires time to reboot the DB on the other server and then telnet users lose their sessions and have to sign on to the backup server to work again. This isn't a HOT SWAP. Maybe you could call it a WARM SWAP.

Our System Architect keeps hammering me on this. He can't understand why the IBM iSeries platform can't provide a HOT SWAP environment. He isn't taking, "That is just how it works" as an answer either.

What does it take to have a cluster of 2 systems sharing a database allowing a HOT SWAP to another server when the primary server fails?

I know it isn't iASP.

Can this be done using an object oriented MIMIX type DB replication product and clustering?

Also, can there ever really be an environment on the iSeries platform that can HOT SWAP telnet connected clients? Maybe using some kind of virtual telnet addressing scheme on a frontend server.

Any help in explaining this will be greatly appreciated! If you can bail me out, I'll even buy you a drink at the next Common Conference! <smile>

Kenneth
Kenneth E. Graap
NW Natural
System Administrator for IBM Power Systems
503.226.4211 x5537
http://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethgraap