So IBM has released details on the new mid-ranged POWER 8 system – and it’s awesome! I’ve always felt, ever since POWER8 was GA, that there was a gap between the low(er) end systems and the high-end systems. This has been answered with the new POWER8 E850. It’s even available in red racing stripes! Just kidding.
Let’s run down some stats:
Machine type model: 8408-E8E
Up to 16-48 cores
Up to 128 GB – 2 TB memory
Up to 11 PCIe Gen3 slots, with I/O drawers max of 51 slots
8 SAS bays, 4 SSD bays
Things that stand out
You can set up Easy Tier functionality for mixed SSD/SAS arrays on the disk backplane
The difference in rperfs between S824 and E870 was big – but now there is an in between option.
Things to note:
Minimum HMC level is V8R8.3.0
Minimum VIO level is 2.2.3.51
Minimum levels of AIX:
AIX 6.1 TL8 SP1 (for VIO)
AIX 6.1 TL9 SP1 (for VIO)
AIX 6.1 TL8 SP7 (non-VIO)
AIX 6.1 TL9 SP5 with APAR IV68443 (non-vio)
AIX 7.1 TL2 SP1 (for VIO)
AIX 7.1 TL3 SP1 (for VIO)
AIX 7.1 TL2 SP7 (non-VIO)
AIX 7.1 TL3 SP5 with APAR IV68444 (non-vio)
I’m looking forward to playing with and stress testing this machine! In the meantime here is a link to the Redbook: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/
If you get a chance to check it out, please let us know your thoughts in the comments below!