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Status Under review
Workspace IBM i
Created by Guest
Created on Oct 9, 2024

Removal of 4-Core Limit for IBM-i VMs on the S1022

Description:

As a forward-thinking organization leveraging IBM-i on the S1022 server, we are consistently seeking ways to enhance performance, optimize resource utilization, and meet our increasing workload demands. In light of this, we submit the following request for your consideration.

Request:

We propose the elimination of the current 4-core limit imposed on IBM-i VMs running on the S1022 server. This enhancement would better align the S1022 capabilities with modern enterprise needs and maximize the utilization of available hardware resources.

Justification:

Maximized Resource Utilization:

  • The S1022 server is equipped with advanced hardware capable of handling high-intensity workloads. The 4-core limitation artificially constrains our ability to maximize these powerful resources.

Enterprise Demand and Scalability:

  • Our enterprise environment requires the flexibility to allocate more than 4 cores to a single VM to support larger and more complex applications. Removing this limitation will allow for greater scalability and seamless growth.

Performance Efficiency:

  • Eliminating this restriction will improve VM performance by enabling more efficient CPU resource allocation, thus enhancing response times and overall system performance.

Competitive Advantage:

  • Removing this restriction will position IBM-i on the S1022 as a more competitive offering in the market, providing customers with the flexibility and performance they require.

Consistent with Physical Capabilities:

  • There are no inherent physical constraints that necessitate the 4-core limit. The S1022 hardware is inherently capable of supporting higher core allocations, and lifting this limit will align the policy with the server's capable architecture.

Cost Efficiency:

  • Allowing higher core limits will optimize infrastructure investments by enabling us to deploy fewer but more powerful VMs, reducing overall hardware and licensing costs.

Conclusion:

Removing the 4-core limit for IBM-i VMs on the S1022 could significantly enhance performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency for enterprise environments. We believe this adjustment is in alignment with both the physical capabilities of the hardware and the evolving needs of IBM customers. We trust this recommendation will be given serious consideration and look forward to your positive response.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Idea priority Low
  • Guest
    Reply
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    Nov 11, 2024

    Fully support this initiative, this is currently to restrictive and disadvantages MSP's. 

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Oct 31, 2024

    I do not support changing the four CPU limit on the S1022s. Private cloud providers have built their infrastructure to support clients requiring more than four CPUs on other IBM Power servers. Allowing any size LPAR on the S1022 would contradict the long-term vision of IBM i on the x22 servers.

    Private cloud providers, excluding Skytap and IBM PowerVS, would be at a competitive disadvantage compared to larger public cloud providers. They have designed their offerings around the x22 core limitations. While private cloud providers use x22 servers for workloads that comply with the CPU rules, they may offer other competitive services requiring more than four CPUs.

    I do not see how this would benefit IBM since there would not be a need to move to the next scale-out server model. If we remove the four-core limitation, we should consider removing the software tiers to make IBM i more competitive against other platforms.

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Oct 23, 2024

    Hope this technical change is approved by IBM.  As core throughput increases with each new POWER server model this makes perfect sense.

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Oct 14, 2024

    Totally in agreement with this idea.  Let’s change the firmware to remove the 4 core limit for IBM i within this scale-out line.  This would also be very attractive to PowerVS customers whom get pushed into the 1080 frame if they have VM’s running over 4 cores. This would help lower the monthly IaaS fees for many customers especially those wanting to be in a dedicated host model.  

  • Guest
    Reply
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    Oct 11, 2024

    I support this request and it should apply to both the 16 core S1022s and all core models of the S1022 servers.