[Groovy]

I have heard that IBM has this new software called integrated virtual manager that does the same thing as an HMC. Do I really need an HMC or can I manage all of my servers with IVM?

[FASherman]

First lets approach this from a price standpoint. An HMC is going to set you back about $4800. Figure another $3200 for the rack mount monitor and keyboard. Thats a range of $4800 - $8100 for an HMC.

The IVM is not free. It is part of the Virtual I/O server 1.2 which requires adavanced virtualization features. Lets just pick a small end server, a p520Q (AKA p52A) and see what that means.

The advanced power virtualization for a p520Q is going to cost $2400. Three years of maintenance for the software is going to cost $1300.

You will have to have virtual IO server running in a partition. Figure a minimum of .1 CPU and 256 MB RAM and 1 HD to support that partition:

4 CPUs will cost $5400. One 40th of that is $135.
Activation for those CPUs is $2300. One 40th of that is: $57
4 GB memory is also $2300, so 256 MB costs $144.
And a single 73 GB 10K drive is $340.

Total cost for IVM: $4036.

Total savings over an HCM: $764.

So, from a pricing standpoint, the only time IVM makes sense is if you are managing a SINGLE express-config p520Q or smaller.

Two or more servers, and you really should get an HMC.

Now, lets look at the technical aspects. IVM is NOT an HMC replacement or substitute. It provides a subset of HMC functions, not offer the full range of management capabilities found on an HMC. It is strictly an LPAR management interface where the HMC has a much more feature rich tool for performing a variety of server maintenance tasks.

Establishing both the cost and technical comparison, it is clear that IVM is not a cost effective replacement for the HMC.

And since you specifically mentioned servers, not server, my technical recommendation is to make sure you have at least one HMC in your pSeries environment.

[cMack454]

Additionally, my understanding of IVM is that separate licenses are needed in the case of mixed POWER4 & POWER5+ environments -- meaning you've got to pay twice.

Now, that is also true of the HMC, but it is recommended you purchase in pairs regardless. A redundant HMC allows you to continue management of your environment(s), in case of emergency. <wink>

I have little experience/knowledge of the IVM package: does it allow for the creation/management/ of LPARs and dynamic reallocation of resources as does the HMC? If not, there would be another case against not having an HMC...

My thoughts --


Best!
Charlie
Systems Engineer
(and pSeries newbie)

[cMack454]

I stand, now, semi-more-informed: the IVM does support DLPAR, and the dynamic functions therein...

CM

[alexisl]

As it was explained to me, using the HMC is the only way to get a true terminal in case of emergency. There are times when you need a terminal hooked directly into the machine.

[cMack454]

Thanks for the help, troop!

I'll be applying this info with our client tomorrow. i'll let you know what happens...

Best!
Charlie

[georgetanner]

A couple of points to clarify:

1)
What FASherman states regarding price is correct - but the assumption that gets made is that the only reason you would purchase APV (Advanced Power Virtualization) is to use IVM. APV provides you with other function, such as micro-partitioning and VIOS.

So, if you're choice is between systems without micro-partitioning using an HMC, and systems using IVM, then the assessment is dead on. If you want to partition a smaller system, and don't want to provide dedicated CPUs and/or SCSI adapters to each partition, then IVM is a considerable cost savings (vs. systems with APV + HMC).

2)
Alexisl indicates that you can only get a true console from an HMC. This is not correct. Systems that do not use an HMC (both standalone, and IVM managed systems) rely on a physical attached TTY console to access the primary OS. IVM supports virtual terminals for all client partitions via the mkvt -id X command that is run from the command line.

[alexisl]

I agree that plugging straight into the machine will give you the true console but then you lose the configuration options like CUoD. So I was referring to the way that most people have thier systems configured.

[cMack454]

Why would you lose CUoD with an HMC...?

[sha012]

Well as you all mentioned the IVM's prosnly being the cost effectivness...

it has many cons...to list

1. IVM is built inside the VIO 1.2 server

2. The first lpar you build is the VIO 1.2 and it takes up all the physical I/O. so when using the IVM all I /O must be virtualized. This means that production LPARs cannot have dedicated physical I/O .

3. Cannot have dual VIO servers. So IVM is a single point of failure

So you may as well buy a HMC to manage all your p5 servers.