Cheap PPC Linux Machines From IBM

ksheff writes "According to this story, IBM is planning on introducing low-end SMP servers and deskside machines based on the PPC970. The machines would be able to run Linux and AIX. A 4-way machine is expected to cost less than $3500! IBM expects a 20x increase in the number of PPC Linux servers by 2006."

Comments

Beware of Linux and AIX

[Anonymous Coward]

SCO will be after your ass!

We already know.....

[Creepy Crawler]

That cheap beowulf boxen are better in general. And if 1 component in Beowulf fales, it's a "Plug'N'Chug" for a new box.

1 Word. Cheap.

And since it's running linux (if it was Macos, it'd be from apple), why does hardware platfor matter? I thought the Linux branches to X hardware platforms were something Linux-kiddies always yelled?

Nice. But irrevalent.

Re:We already know.....

[lethalwp]

why does it matter? for desktop because of stuff like this:
enemy-territory]$ file et.x86
et.x86: ELF 32-bit LSB executable, Intel 80386, version 1 (GNU/Linux), for GNU/Linux 2.0.0, dynamically linked (uses shared libs), stripped

try to run that on a ppc and tell me how it worked?

most commercial compagnies release already only windows software, some of them do linux, but binaries only, they won't support all platforms, don't believe in that.

But if you only use open source soft you can recompile, maybe others platforms would be better , cheaper, and provide competition, what is damn needed in this fscked capitalism world where big compagnies mostly don't care about "1 user"

Re:We already know.....

[Creepy Crawler]

>>the PPC970 is a 64 bit cpu...

Point being? Doesnt give my programs "Super-root" abilities.

>>How can you compair a Athlon to a G5?

Simple. How useful is it in general use (or per category)?

Server? Probably. Still, you have problems if _that_ box goes down, you're down. With a cluster, all of them have to go down before "IT" is down.

Graphics workstation? Get me a SGI.

Workstation (non-graphics intensive)? Offload my data processing to a SUN server and get me X86 dual.

>>Yes If you want a cheap dual smp rig then Athlons are fine. But if you want a powerfull workstation, backed by a huge company, THis is a pretty cool idea.

I take it you dont know what other products AMD does. Go look at those nice "IBM motherboards". Half of those components will have that nice AMD insignia that's been on their products since the 70's. And after INTEL was created by developers who broke off of them. AMD just doesnt make clone chips...

>>im sure since IBM is the creator of a G5 they are going to be able to support them better than anything else they sell. Companies are going to see this and they will realize that these machines will be quick and easy for IBM to repair.

I know how that goes. Just like all those damned Compaq Servers that even the drive bays are non-standard. I cant wait.

>>Oh Sure these companies can call Bob's computer warehouse, but we all know how much better IBMs support will be....

The last thing I want to do is call tech support that might have the product out by next-day. Some parts, I need now.

>>If I worked for a Multimillion dollar company I wouldnt want the computer repair guy going to walmart to pick up spare parts for their new server/workstation.....

Oh yes. I'm sure that a IBM nic is soo much more different than the 30$ nic shrinkwrapped in walmart. Just IBM had their name on it, so it's suddenly 50$ more.

Re:We already know.....

[Creepy Crawler]

>>>>You seem to be confusing 'expensive computer' with 'beowulf cluster'.

Nope, I dont. If you can compute without continual deadlocks of data, then it's usually clusterable. Databases use a heavy amount of locks to prevent data corruption, and therfore not allow clusters.

>>>Clusters have a great price/performance ratio for a small class of problems. Climate modeling, fluid dynamics, some life sciences, etc.

>>>The machines from IBM are designed to do , in enterprise speak, 'transactions'. SQL querys, web services, distibuted software, etc.

Read my other coments on this thread. I already mention it.

>>>A cluster makes a very shitty web server.

I disagree. If you use 1 DNS name bound to 6 servers (function of BIND poor man load balancing), you get round robin rotation between 6 servers. Now you can build a cluster of web servers that pull from one backend (DB server running heavy iron). Each Server can do it's own web page data processing, while distributing the load.

And in that last situation, all you'd need is redirects if the user does another DNS lookup to redirect him to thr proper server that originally gave ihis DB user request. Or you could just send a unlock to the DB server after marking some table like Last_Server_IP to null and then re-running the data to verify goodness.

I'll believe it when I see it

[Anonymous Coward]

Anyone else remember IBM's OS/2 for PowerPC? Exactly.

But will it run OSX?

[Anonymous Coward]

Who cares about AIX or Linux, they're just toy OSes anyway. Plus they are written by criminal IP stealing coders. I prefer a professional OS written by people who care about my computing experience.

That OS would be the one from Apple. John Galt would use it.

Re:The Gay Nigger Association Wants YOU!

[Anonymous Coward]

Hello. I am not gay, nor am I a nigger. Therefore I do not qualify to be a member of the GNAA. On the other hand, I agree with the cause of the GNAA and I would like to support it. So I ask, does the GNAA accept donations? I would like to donate money to the GNAA, so how may I do so? Thank you for your time.

VLADINATOR IS A MEMBER OF THE GNAA

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, it's true, I have acquired a list of all members of the GNAA, and William Scott Lockwood III was on the list. This shocking revelation brings into question the previously excellent reputation of the GNAA. Surely nobody wants to be members of an organization that Vladinator is also a member of. I would recommend everyone reconsider their membership to the GNAA and unless you like to associate with losers and oathbreakers like Vladinator that you quit. So, I am encouraging all members of the GNAA to quit and join the SJP (Straight Jew Posse) instead. I know I have already given up my GNAA membership.

Thank you for your time.

- Posted by a proud member of the SJP.

SGC - SLASHDOT HOMOSEXUALITY REPORT

[Anonymous Coward]

Posted from the nero-online.org Troll Library

Following my work researching The Linux Gay Conspiracy, I am saddened to announced that I have discovered yet another orgy of perverted heterophobic values. My claim lies with the Slashdot mangement.

First, what kind of name is Slashdot? This is obviously a code word in the homosexual community for something perverted.
Slashdot is an anagram of LAD SHOTS, which refers to Slashdot's pedophile agenda and T ASS HOLD, which refers to some gay sexual posistion that Michael and CmdrTaco enjoy.

The 'editors' of Slashdot, as they call themselves, are homosexual swingers with cleverly disguised nicknames.

CmdrTaco (aka "Rob" Malda) is the "head" honcho of Slashdot. Cmdr obviously refers to his desire to dominate over his gay partners, and Taco is obviously a sly reference to his colon. Update: It is well known that Taco claims to be married to Kate Fent. No one really believes that 'she' is actually his wife. We have proof that this 'she' is actually a he. It turns out that Kathleen Fent is an anagram of KHAN FELT EN ET. So this Kate of his is really Khan who "felt in it". I will not describe what that means as I am sure you can imagine yourself.Update From AC: Kate Fent = FAT TEEN, K.

Michael Sims, who goes as 'michael' on Slashdot, is a well known thug and advancer of homosexual agenda. His name is an anagram of ASS CHIME MIL which obviously refers to his desire to flaunt his lower organ.Update: It turns out that Michael Sims is also an anagram of ASS LICE, HMM, I?. That is so sick that words cannot describe the horror.

Father Randy "Pudge" O'Day is Slashdot's Mac propagandist. Macintosh computers are well known as the Gay computer due to their homosexual colors and stylings. An email exchange between 'Pudge' and Apple HQ have been leaked by a former Apple employee who converted to heterosexuality. These two emails (here and here) have been repeatedly posted on Slashdot, but are quickly censored by Slashdot moderators who do not want the public to know about its agenda.Update form Subject Line Troll - it appears the O'Day is just a few letter changes away from I'm Gay and rhymes with O'Day. Is anyone surprised that Mr. Pudge is a fudge packing Mac hippie?

Simoniker, a recent addition to Slashdot has been uncovered as Mr. Goatse himself. Simoniker is a frequent poster to the Games section of Slashdot, obviously because he enjoies modded versions of Quake 3 and UT2K3 as a homosexual warrior who likes to 'overcome' his opponents with his exagerated sized love member. In addition, Simoniker is an anagram of KEN I RIM SO (Ken is probably his current boyfriend) and MEN I IRK SO (which refers to his frustratingly troubled gay relationships, probably due to his rather large asshole).Update from AC: I'M ON ERIK'S... "Eriks what? We can only imagine" -AC.

CowboyNeal. How could I forget him? CowboyNeal is Slashdot's Poll Editor. His rampant homosexuality is obvious. "Cowboy Kneel" is what his name actually means. His odd sexuality needs no further explanation.

Please reply with additional information, contributions, and corrections. I will include any additional information and credit you with it in my further releases of this report.

Re:Future super Amiga?

[Anonymous Coward]

Any new Amiga is complete vaporware. Get used to it.

A ride on the cluetrain.

[Duncan3]

*laughs* I love all you people that haven't dealt with IBM before. Let me translate:

"A base configuration of the 4U is expected to cost less than $3,500, sources said."

That means the case, a power supply, and one CPU with maybe a 128MB stick of RAM. Each additional CPU module will add to the price. And did you want a hard drive in that?...

Re:Nonsense.

[the_2nd_coming]

perhaps a good responce to this fellow would have been:

"RTFM if you can't seem to figure it out!!"

I mean, he is a Linux power user and all.