IBM Software Processor Value Unit Licensing for Middleware
® IBM Software Processor Value Unit Licensing for Middleware Evolving the Structure to Provide a Foundation for the Future Processor Value Unit - Technology Education July 25, 2006 © IBM Corporation IBM Confidential
IBM Software Technology Education Agenda 4 What is a Processor 4 What is an n. Way 4 Processor Performance 4 Historical 4 Strategies 4 Disparity 4 Processor Vendors are moving to Multi-core 4 Summary IBM Confidential 2
IBM Software Processor Definition is Important in Middleware Licensing § Single-core chips have 1 core per chip § Dual-core chips have 2 cores per chip § Quad-core chips have 4 cores per chip Multi-core chips Dual-core Chip Single-core Chip Processor Core 1 2 Chip 1 2 Socket 1 2 IBM defines processor = core As do most Middleware Vendors…eg. Oracle and BEA However, some Hardware Vendors. . . Intel, AMD, and Sun define processor = chip IBM Confidential 3
IBM Software The Definition of n. Way Differs by Hardware Vendor § 4 Processor Cores § 4 Single-core Chips § 8 Processor Cores § 4 Dual-core Chips Server 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 4 Way All Hardware Vendors call this a 4 Way or 8 Way? 4 IBM System p & i, and HP 9000 call this an 8 Way 4 Sun and all Intel/AMD vendors including IBM x. Series call this a 4 Way IBM Confidential 4
IBM Software Most Middleware Vendors Count Processor Cores § 4 Single-core Chips § 8 Processor Cores § 4 Dual-core Chips Server 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 4 Way Most Middleware Vendors say this Server has 4 Processor Cores 4 Way or 8 Way? Most Middleware Vendors say this Server has 8 Processor Cores IBM Confidential 5
IBM Software Processor Cores Are Not All Created Equal Today Year 1 § Historically, a constant workload required fewer processor cores over time 4 Proc 1 Core 2 Proc Year 5 1 Core 1 Proc § Some processor cores increased performance faster than others § Today, the number of processor cores required for a given workload varies by processor technology Year 3 1 Core 1 Core Constant Workload 1 Core IBM Confidential 1 Core 1 Core Same Workload 6
IBM Software 1. Increase the performance of each processor core 4 By increasing clock speed, adding threads, or adding cache Performance Two Strategies to Improve Chip Performance 2. Packaging multiple cores on a single chip One Processor Core Time 1 2 4 Processor core performance can change or remain flat over time Dual-core example IBM Confidential 7
IBM Software Processor Core Performance Disparity Expected to Grow Core Performance One Processor Core t S re o e. C gy e t ra v o r p Im Multi-core Strategy Time Core Disparity 1. Deliver Performance by improving performance of the processor core itself 2. Deliver performance by increasing the number of cores on the chip Increasing processor core performance disparity means traditional per processor licensing is not sustainable IBM Confidential 8
IBM Software Processor Vendors Are Moving to Multi-core 4 IBM Power introduced dual-core chips in 2001 4 Octi-core chips introduced by Sun in 2005 4 Most x 86 servers sold in 2006 will have dual-core chips Processor Technology Pre-2005 IBM Power Dual-core HP PA RISC Dual-core Sun Ultra. Sparc Dual-core Intel and AMD x 86 2005 2006 -7 Projected Octi-core Dual-core Quad-core Intel (HP) Itanium (IA-64) Dual-core Fujitsu Sparc 64 Dual-core A sustainable licensing structure that addresses the processor performance disparity on these multi-core chips is required IBM Confidential 9
IBM Software Summary 4 Processor definition is important in middleware licensing 4 IBM SWG defines a processor = core 4 Number of n. Ways and processors NOT always the same 4 Processor Core performance disparity is expected to grow 4 Not all processors are created equal today 4 Two Strategies to Improve Chip Performance 4 All vendors moving to Multi-core chips 4 A sustainable licensing structure that addresses multi-core is required IBM Confidential 10
IBM Software Backup IBM Confidential 11
IBM Software Reference Material § See the PVU Q&A for IBM Sales for more details. This, and other education material, will be available on the Passport Advantage web site § Questions should be directed through the normal software support structure. If they are unable to answer a question, they will have access to the Processor Value Unit licensing project office. IBM Confidential 12
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