Re: 24x7 information

[joberhol@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

*SNIP

> With all due respect, I disagree.  LPAR provides a single point of
> failure.  If the CPU fails, all partitions are down.  When you IPL the
> primary partition, all partitions are down.  And what happens in the case
> of a fire or prolonged power outage?
Al--
Isn't your recommendation a little too absolute?
CPU fails--that's a problem. How often does it happen?
IPL machine--again, that's a problem--but how often does it happen. And,
isn't the concept of a primary partition supposed to go away?
Fire--both redundant AS/400s burn up
Power outage--both redundant AS/400s croak (unless you have the optional
gerbil-powered attachment in one of them)
Shouldn't Jim at least consider the potential cost savings that LPAR
offers.
While there are exposures with LPAR that redundant AS/400s don't provide,
the cost savings (LPAR, for example, only requires _one_ licensed copy of
OS/400 across multiple OS/400 LPAR partitions) may make living a little
closer to the edge worthwhile.
rp

*ENDSNIP

Roger,

I find myself agreeing with Al on this one.  LPAR is not a good method for
true 24*7 operations because with two machines you  A) don't put them on
the same electrical service, B) don't put them in the same room together,
so fire, flood, ect does not affect both of them, and C) most folks do not
do LPAR down to the BUS level, meaning that all needed IOP hardware is in
every LPAR.  Most try to cheat and share the CD drive, Tape Drives, etc.

LPAR is great for lots of things, but it will not substitute for proper
prior planning and investment for 24*7.  You need redundant hardware,
software, data, and excellent change control in order to accoplish a true
24*7 environment.

The real question is:  How much is the CEO willing to spend to be truly
24*7?

Jim Oberholtzer



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