22
Sun, Dec
3 New Articles

IBM Showcases New iSeries Benchmark

Commentary
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Computer benchmarks are like the miles-per-gallon stickers dealerships paste to the windows of new cars. There's an implied disclaimer: "Your mileage may vary." In addition, there are so many computer benchmarks--both industry-standard benchmarks and vendor-specific benchmarks--that it's often confusing for a potential server customer to know exactly what is being measured.

Therefore, it was with some trepidation that I looked at the new "three-in-one" iSeries benchmark that IBM recently announced. What exactly is IBM measuring? How relevant is this benchmark to the real-world challenges that face servers? Is there substance behind IBM's claims about the i810, or is IBM really calculating how many angels can dance on the head of microprocessor?

Needless to say, the iSeries does require some special consideration when you try to compare its horsepower to other servers. With other machines, you match apples to apples and oranges to oranges to understand how a particular server will respond to a given workload. But when you compare this machine's capabilities to the advantages or limitations of other architectures, it's like comparing bowls of fruit: The architecture of the iSeries makes it extremely resilient to a variety of different environments, and its use of storage pools and logical partitions--combined with its much-heralded performance-tuning capabilities--makes the machine one of the best all-round values for the medium-sized organization that has a real heterogeneous workload.

Still, does the iSeries really need a machine-specific benchmark to separate it from other servers in the marketplace? And why a "three-in-one" benchmark? What does it mean?

As Easy as "One, Two, Three": Java, Domino, and WebSphere

IBM's benchmark tests were performed on the recently announced iSeries model 810-2469 with feature code 7428. (The feature code 7428 indicates that the 5250 OLTP CPW rating for the system is 0 [zero]. With a rating of 0, enough interactive processing is available for a single 5250 job to perform system administration functions.) This model had a two-way processor that was running at 750 MHz and was based upon SStar technology. The system was configured with 8 GB of main storage and 30 disk arms. The disk drives were 10 K rpm with 17 GB of capacity each and were configured for RAID5 disk protection. This is a substantial system, composed of a lot of new hardware and, no doubt, chosen as the "ideal" iSeries system, based upon the current iSeries technology--stripped of peripherals but loaded with capacity.

IBM chose its three application suites for its three-in-one benchmark to showcase the capabilities of the machine as well: one for Java serving, one for Domino serving, and one for WebSphere serving. The base scenario for this benchmark is the result of running three applications simultaneously to drive the system at approximately 70% CPU utilization. IBM believes this scenario represents a "real-world data processing environment" consisting of online transaction processing (OLTP), collaboration, and Web serving. It helps that this combination represents the three environments that the iSeries has been tailored to address--three environments in which IBM has substantial expertise in all aspects of development.

jBOB OLTP Application

For the OLTP application workload, IBM used an application that conforms to the Java Business Object Benchmark (jBOB), which is a complete environment where users execute transactions against a database. The jBOB users execute a Java application that accesses DB2 database files via Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) to process transactions. The workload is centered around the transactions of an order-entry environment. These transactions include entering and delivering orders, recording payments, checking the status of orders, and monitoring the level of stock at the warehouses. The workload used a database configuration that represented 100 warehouses.

iNotes and Sametime Collaborative Application

The collaborative processing benchmark consisted of two components, iNotes Web Access users and Sametime Instant Messaging users. The iNotes Web Access simulation used the NotesBench R6i Notes workload. (IBM says that the results of this test have been audited by KMDS, Inc.) The iNotes Web Access users read, created, sent, and deleted mail and performed calendar and scheduling operations. The users accessed their 16 MB mail databases per the benchmark requirements of NotesBench. The second component of the collaborative processing benchmark simulated the actions of Sametime Instant Messaging users, sending and receiving messages against a large, 50-person buddy list.

WebSphere Web Serving Component

For the final component of the three-in-one benchmark, IBM used the Trade2 workload benchmark to simulate Web server processes. According to IBM, Trade2 can be configured to use JDBC directly or to use Enterprise Java Beans (EJBs) under WebSphere, but IBM used the JDBC mode in conjunction with WebSphere Express 5.0 without EJBs. According to IBM, the JSPs and servlets used by Trade2 were relatively simple in structure and each Web serving transaction used an average of two JSPs and two servlets. File sizes of the JSPs were 10 K or less.

No "Jack" out of the Box

IBM says it didn't mess with the configuration of the machine or the software. The three-in-one benchmark used the default settings (out-of-the-box configuration) of the iSeries, with no special tuning of storage pools, job priorities, or other attributes associated with the job execution.

In addition...

  • All of the applications were executed out of the same memory or main storage pool (*BASE) and shared the same processor resources. OS/400 Logical Partitioning (LPAR) was not used.
  • QSECURITY was set to level 40 (requiring more authorization checking).
  • Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) processing was added to the Trade2 benchmark. This makes a user log off and log in again as a new user, requiring a "full handshake" process for new transactions.
  • Global security was enabled in WebSphere Express using the OS to validate users.

Two separate Domino server partitions were used for the iNotes Web Access and Sametime Instant Messaging processing. (IBM says that both servers could have been supported by a single Domino server, using fewer resources, but the choice to use two was based on how real customers typically configure the box.)

The Domino Directory (name and address book) consisted of 6,000 persons.

In other words, IBM chose the most conservative, plain vanilla configurations, insisting that neither the machine nor the software was altered to meet performance expectations. This is a fairly common statement among hardware vendors, but recent evidence shows that most other vendors go deep under the covers to maximize either the software or the hardware configurations.

How Ya Doin'?

So, on the surface, the specifications for the iSeries three-in-one benchmark look very impressive. They are, indeed, very close to a real customer environment--though perhaps at a configuration level that is a little crude. (Any organization that would invest in an i810 and these applications suites would certainly play a bit with the tuning of both hardware and software.)

But the rather amazing thing about the benchmark was the i810's performance results. When IBM pushed the system to handle 2,850 users at a resource consumption level of 96.8%, the machine was still able to maintain sub-second response time for all applications: OLTP, collaboration, and Web serving. (See Figure 1.)

Application
Average CPU Utilization
Average Response Time and/or Throughput
Number of Users
Environment
Workload
OLTP
jBOB
24.8%
0.120 seconds
24.0 jtps
500
Collaboration
Lotus Domino Web Access and Lotus Instant Messaging
28.4%
0.654 seconds
0.196 seconds
500
500
Web Serving
Trade2
43.6%
0.509 seconds (109.3 trans/second)
2,850
TOTAL
 
96.8%
 

Figure 1: IBM pushes the envelope.

What's It Mean?

The three-in-one benchmark really showcases the power of the iSeries architecture and the resiliency of its hardware. Its multi-environment capabilities--bringing all these environments into a single footprint--really dwarfs the capacities of its competitors. All of these applications seem to run--out of the box--at optimum levels, without degrading the performance of any individual member.

So what does this mean to iSeries customers?

It means they can be confident that the architecture and the hardware are up to the challenges of real-world environments with a pretty fantastic performance level. It also means that the iSeries is establishing a new standard for server cost-effectiveness.

The Problem

The real problem with the three-in-one benchmark is not the equipment, the configuration, or the applications that are running. The real problem challenging IBM is convincing new non-iSeries customers to look at the results. Unfortunately, IT management rarely considers real technical specifications when choosing between server architectures anymore, instead looking at the short-term bottom line or accepting whatever black box is coming off the Business Partner's quota sheet. Companies don't buy servers these days: They buy server packages built around software suites, and the truth is, it's much easier for a salesman to bundle in a lesser server than to convince a customer that money can be saved through server consolidation.

Yet perhaps that's the gold lining of the three-in-one benchmark: For once, BPs will have the opportunity to show customers how they can bring all their applications into a single multi-environment footprint, maintain supreme performance, and still save a bundle.

Good work, IBM.

Thomas M. Stockwell is Editor in Chief of MC Press, LP. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: