Mainframe, MVS and zOS Discussion

Hi All,

Can we draw a comparison among zIIP, zAAP and CPU usag or is there a standard comparison of cost among zIIP, zAAP and CPU? For example, can we say that, zIIP is three times cheaper than general CPU and zAAP is 5 times cheaper than general CPU ?

Thanks

Well, first with the z13 system zAAP is no longer available so you can't compare zAAP cost to CP on the z13.

Second, you need to be aware (if you are not) that IBM system costs depend upon the company and the negotiated contract, so you cannot say there is a ratio between zIIP cost and CP cost. The exact ratio will depend upon the negotiated deal.

Third, in 2006 when the specialty engines were announced this article http://www.tech-news.com/another/ap200602b.html listed a cost of $125,000 for the specialty engines and $800,000 to $1,200,000 for the CP cost so you can figure out approximate ratios yourself.

Fourth, I've heard the zIIP engine on the z13 runs about $100,000 while the z13 itself can run from probably around that up into the millions of dollars (depending upon how the system is configured).

A few additional comments:
- I've heard a zIIP for the z13 can be as cheap as $40,000 depending upon the negotiation. This would make a lot of difference to the cost ratio
- a z13 maxes out at 24 SAP processors, 2 spare processors, and 1 IFP (27 total) with the remaining 141 processors divided among CP, IFL, ICF, zIIP, and additional SAP engines (yes, there are 5 types of processors in a z13)
- IBM limits the z13 to 2 zIIP processors per CP (unless upgrading from a zEC12 with zAAP processors, in which case IBM allows 4 zIIP per CP)
- additional SAPs are limited to 16; zIIP are limited to 94 on a z13 (with 47 CP), while CPs, IFLs, ICFs can have up to 141 in a z13