1

The Itanium Roadmap

The Itanium Roadmap

Implications for Users Considering Migration

Implications for Users Considering Migration
to Itanium
to Itanium
Joe Clabby Joe Clabby
President, Clabby Analytics President, Clabby Analytics
November, 2003 November, 2003
2
Presentation Disclaimers
Presentation Disclaimers
This report was developed by Clabby Analytics at its own
expense and represents the opinion of Clabby Analytics.
IBM assisted in the creation of this report by reviewing this
report for technical accuracy, and by providing information
(including publicly available data) contained herein.
All statements regarding IBM's future direction and intent are
subject to change or withdrawal without notice, and represents
goals and objections only.
This report does not necessarily represent IBM's position on
these issues.
Other companies may also have provided information to Clabby
Analytics for inclusion in this report.
Clabby Analytics is receiving a fee for the delivery of this report.
3
Background
Background
In November, 2002, Clabby Analytics approached Hewlett In November, 2002, Clabby Analytics approached Hewlett- -
Packard, IBM, Intel, and Sun with a proposal to do a multi Packard, IBM, Intel, and Sun with a proposal to do a multi- -client client
study of 64 study of 64- -bit computing architectures bit computing architectures
None of these companies were interested in funding such a study None of these companies were interested in funding such a study
Clabby Analytics conducted our research on 64 Clabby Analytics conducted our research on 64- -bit technologies bit technologies
and market trends anyway and market trends anyway
Published our opinion in June, 2003 Published our opinion in June, 2003 HP HP s Forced Migration to s Forced Migration to
Itanium Itanium
IBM approached Clabby Analytics to provide further details and IBM approached Clabby Analytics to provide further details and
research on our opinion research on our opinion
This teleconference explains our opinion in more depth This teleconference explains our opinion in more depth
4
Agenda
Agenda

Topics of discussion
Topics of discussion

Discontinuance of PA
Discontinuance of PA
-
-
RISC, Alpha, and the e3000
RISC, Alpha, and the e3000
means HP users will eventually need to migrate to
means HP users will eventually need to migrate to
new systems platform
new systems platform

A Closer Look at the HP Itanium Migration

A Closer Look at the HP Itanium Migration
Roadmap
Roadmap

Toward understanding RISC and EPIC

Toward understanding RISC and EPIC
architecture
architecture

The real bottom line: application availability

The real bottom line: application availability

Considered advice: look above the platform!

Considered advice: look above the platform!

Summary Observations
Summary Observations
5
Speaker Background
Speaker Background
Computer industry for 26 years Computer industry for 26 years
Sales/marketing/research & analysis Sales/marketing/research & analysis
Technical background Technical background
Systems/OS Systems/OS
Comms Comms/networking /networking
Application development Application development
Migration Migration
Research/analysis Research/analysis
Former VP of Platforms and Services, Aberdeen Group Former VP of Platforms and Services, Aberdeen Group
Now independent Now independent
Author Author
Visualize This (Internet virtualization); Web Services Explained Visualize This (Internet virtualization); Web Services Explained
(Web services applied to business) (Web services applied to business)
New book on making IT systems and infrastructure serve business New book on making IT systems and infrastructure serve business
process flow (adaptive, agile, on process flow (adaptive, agile, on- -demand computing) demand computing)
Philosophy Philosophy
Information systems should serve business process flow Information systems should serve business process flow
6
The Situation
The Situation

HP is discontinuing Alpha and PA
HP is discontinuing Alpha and PA
-
-
RISC
RISC
Alpha Alpha
New generations include Alpha EV7 and EV79 chips through 2005 New generations include Alpha EV7 and EV79 chips through 2005
See Information Week article on the demise of Alpha at: See Information Week article on the demise of Alpha at:
http:// http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=15600236 =15600236
Support planned through 2011 Support planned through 2011
PA PA- -RISC RISC
PA PA- -8800 and PA 8800 and PA- -8900 roadmap through 2005 (or 2006) 8900 roadmap through 2005 (or 2006)
HP users will eventually need to migrate to new systems platform HP users will eventually need to migrate to new systems platforms s
HP would like to see: HP would like to see:
Its Tru64 Unix Alpha customers move to HP Its Tru64 Unix Alpha customers move to HP- -UX on EPIC/Itanium UX on EPIC/Itanium
Its HP Its HP- -UX PA UX PA- -RISC customers move EPIC/Itanium platforms RISC customers move EPIC/Itanium platforms
But moving from RISC architecture to the new EPIC architecture But moving from RISC architecture to the new EPIC architecture
means means adopting a completely new instruction set! adopting a completely new instruction set!
7
The Situation
The Situation

Further
Further

HP discontinued support for the HP e3000 HP discontinued support for the HP e3000
The e3000 line retired on October 31, 2003 The e3000 line retired on October 31, 2003
http://www.hp.com/products1/evolution/e3000/index.html http://www.hp.com/products1/evolution/e3000/index.html
Wants HP e3000 users to move to EPIC/Itanium Wants HP e3000 users to move to EPIC/Itanium
HP would like HP would like NonStopKernel NonStopKernel OS on MIPS and OpenVMS on OS on MIPS and OpenVMS on
Alpha customers to move to Itanium also Alpha customers to move to Itanium also
http://www.gartner.com/gc/webletter/hp/article1/article1.html http://www.gartner.com/gc/webletter/hp/article1/article1.html
HP has not adopted AMD HP has not adopted AMD s Opteron s Opteron
A 64 A 64- -bit Intel bit Intel- -based processor that has an instruction set similar to IA based processor that has an instruction set similar to IA- -
32 rather than a completely new instruction set (as is the case 32 rather than a completely new instruction set (as is the case with with
EPIC) EPIC)
Opteron would be an option for users with existing Intel Opteron would be an option for users with existing Intel- -based based
applications who want application and database consistency when applications who want application and database consistency when
moving from IA moving from IA- -32 to 64 32 to 64- -bit computing bit computing
Means only Windows/Linux 64 Means only Windows/Linux 64- -bit growth path will necessitate bit growth path will necessitate
dealing with the new EPIC/Itanium instruction set dealing with the new EPIC/Itanium instruction set
HP is clearly steering its customers to
HP is clearly steering its customers to
EPIC/Itanium
EPIC/Itanium
8
The Situation
The Situation

Finally
Finally

The migration story does not end with platforms The migration story does not end with platforms
HP has also announce that it is withdrawing its MA8000, EMA HP has also announce that it is withdrawing its MA8000, EMA
12000/16000 (last orders were in August, 2003) storage offerings 12000/16000 (last orders were in August, 2003) storage offerings
HP customers may also need to reevaluate
HP customers may also need to reevaluate
their storage situation.
their storage situation.
9
The Proposition
The Proposition
HP 9000
PA-RISC
HP 9000
PA-RISC
ProLiant
Intel 32-bit
ProLiant
Intel 32-bit
HP e3000
Proprietary 16-bit,
PA-RISC
HP e3000
Proprietary 16-bit,
PA-RISC
HP NonStop
MIPS
HP NonStop
MIPS
AlphaServer
Alpha
AlphaServer
Alpha
MPE/iX
HP-UX
Linux
Windows
Linux
OpenVMS
Tru64
NonStop Kernel
HP-UX, Linux,
Windows,
OpenVMS (future)
NonStop Kernel (future)
Integrity
64-bit
Itanium
10
The Predicament
The Predicament
"It's probably a good idea for developers and software vendors to do
a native port or re-compilation onto Itanium because RISC has no
understanding of some of the architectural constructs within Itanium.
Therefore, the code that was developed for PA-RISC cannot take
advantage of it," says Chris Franklin, enterprise server marketing
manager at HP.
Source: Infoconomy Information Age
July - 2002
11
What
What

s Really Going On?

s Really Going On?

Two points
Two points
Moore Moore s Law s Law
In 1965, Gordon Moore (Intel co In 1965, Gordon Moore (Intel co- -founder) stated his belief that the number of founder) stated his belief that the number of
transistors per square inch on integrated circuits would double transistors per square inch on integrated circuits would double every every year every every year
(now every 18 months) (now every 18 months)
What happens when engineers can no longer ratchet What happens when engineers can no longer ratchet- -up clock rates and pack up clock rates and pack
data as densely? data as densely?
New approaches to New approaches to parallelism parallelism
In order to continue Moore In order to continue Moore s Law, microprocessor makers are trying to find ways s Law, microprocessor makers are trying to find ways
to process more instructions in to process more instructions in parallel parallel
Parallelization: breaking up data and handling it simultaneously Parallelization: breaking up data and handling it simultaneously rather than sequentially rather than sequentially
Example: Example:
Courtesy: IBM
12
What
What

s Really Going On?

s Really Going On?

EPIC/Itanium is a new approach designed

EPIC/Itanium is a new approach designed
to achieve efficient parallelism
to achieve efficient parallelism
HP and Intel have collaborated on a new design for parallel HP and Intel have collaborated on a new design for parallel
processing processing
EPIC (explicitly parallel instruction computing) is an EPIC (explicitly parallel instruction computing) is an architectural architectural
approach approach to computing that attempts to increase performance by to computing that attempts to increase performance by
speculatively executing instructions and fetching data from memo speculatively executing instructions and fetching data from memory ry
such that data can be processed quickly such that data can be processed quickly
Itanium is the EPIC Itanium is the EPIC microprocessor microprocessor
Itanium uses a different instruction set than RISC processors Itanium uses a different instruction set than RISC processors
Itanium can process up to 20 operations at once Itanium can process up to 20 operations at once
Itanium resources include: Itanium resources include:
2 floating point execution units; 4 integer execution units; 3 b 2 floating point execution units; 4 integer execution units; 3 branch units ranch units
Internet streaming Internet streaming
Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) processing Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) processing
128 integer registers 128 integer registers
EPIC is an approach to parallelism;
Itanium is a processor designed to execute that approach.
13
Why Is This Important?
Why Is This Important?

Parallel Processing
Parallel Processing
The concept of The concept of parallel processing parallel processing is important because parallel is important because parallel
processing allows a microprocessor to process more work processing allows a microprocessor to process more work
Like having many more systems to use for processing Like having many more systems to use for processing
When combined with faster clock speed = significantly more power When combined with faster clock speed = significantly more power
from the microprocessor from the microprocessor
The approach used to provide parallel processing is the primary The approach used to provide parallel processing is the primary
differentiator between RISC and EPIC architectures differentiator between RISC and EPIC architectures
With the RISC approach the logic for extracting parallelism exis With the RISC approach the logic for extracting parallelism exists ts
between the compiler and the processor between the compiler and the processor
With the EPIC approach the logic for extracting parallelism runs With the EPIC approach the logic for extracting parallelism runs
exclusively at the compiler exclusively at the compiler the Itanium chip then follows an execution the Itanium chip then follows an execution
schedule defined by the compiler and then executes compiler schedule defined by the compiler and then executes compiler
instructions instructions
HP HP s PA s PA- -RISC and Alpha users now have an important choice to RISC and Alpha users now have an important choice to
make make and need to understand the differences between RISC and and need to understand the differences between RISC and
EPIC and the impact on their migration path. EPIC and the impact on their migration path.
14
Comparing RISC to EPIC
Comparing RISC to EPIC

Exploring the differences in a little more depth
Exploring the differences in a little more depth

Both RISC and EPIC are trying to tackle the same problem Both RISC and EPIC are trying to tackle the same problem
parallelization parallelization
RISC uses a design that allows the microprocessor to take part RISC uses a design that allows the microprocessor to take part
in the decisions regarding how to best process incoming in the decisions regarding how to best process incoming
instructions instructions
RISC supplements compiler optimization with hardware that RISC supplements compiler optimization with hardware that
extracts parallelism and is responsive to execution variability extracts parallelism and is responsive to execution variability
This is especially relevant at runtime (while a program is execu This is especially relevant at runtime (while a program is executing) ting)
because the processor can dynamically reschedule the workload it because the processor can dynamically reschedule the workload it
receives around failures and disruptions that may occur receives around failures and disruptions that may occur
EPIC uses an approach that performs all parallelization at the EPIC uses an approach that performs all parallelization at the
compiler level and then it tells the microprocessor what to do compiler level and then it tells the microprocessor what to do
EPIC attempts to increase performance by speculatively EPIC attempts to increase performance by speculatively
executing instructions and fetching data from memory without executing instructions and fetching data from memory without
knowledge of actual run time conditions knowledge of actual run time conditions
EPIC design uses EPIC design uses predication predication (conditional execution based on a (conditional execution based on a
qualifying circumstance/predicate) to qualifying circumstance/predicate) to avoid some of the delays avoid some of the delays
associated with branches associated with branches
EPIC architecture relies exclusively on compilers to extract EPIC architecture relies exclusively on compilers to extract execution execution
parallelism parallelism
15
A Closer Look at the EPIC Approach
A Closer Look at the EPIC Approach

How EPIC works
How EPIC works

The ramifications of using this predictive approach
The ramifications of using this predictive approach
By using a predictive data and control speculation approach, EPI By using a predictive data and control speculation approach, EPIC architecture allows C architecture allows
the compiler to move load instructions up earlier in program exe the compiler to move load instructions up earlier in program execution order and hence cution order and hence
initiate memory accesses earlier than would otherwise be possibl initiate memory accesses earlier than would otherwise be possible e
Memory latency (wait time) is reduced, resulting in the ability Memory latency (wait time) is reduced, resulting in the ability to execute program more quickly to execute program more quickly
This makes the EPIC/Itanium a real This makes the EPIC/Itanium a real screamer screamer in certain predictable application environments in certain predictable application environments
Outstanding performance in leading benchmarks (predictable test Outstanding performance in leading benchmarks (predictable test environments) environments)
Scientific, research, network edge, security, and high Scientific, research, network edge, security, and high- -performance computing environments performance computing environments
Very large database consolidation environments
Software Compiler Itanium
Programs written
in architecture in-
dependent "High Level
Language (e.g. C++,
Fortran, etc.)
Translates and
parallelizes com-
puting tasks and
presents them to
Itanium
Executes EPIC tasks
using underlying
parallel architecture,
bandwidth, execution
resources, and inte-
grated cache
Error management in hardware, firmware,and O/S
Very large database consolidation environments
This is a very good architecture in predictable,
number-crunching environments
16
A Closer Look at the EPIC Approach
A Closer Look at the EPIC Approach
A Closer Look at the EPIC Approach
A Closer Look at the EPIC Approach

Two drawbacks
Two drawbacks
EPIC intrinsically requires larger caches EPIC intrinsically requires larger caches
"Code Bloat" "Code Bloat"
EPIC instructions are 33% bigger than RISC instructions EPIC instructions are 33% bigger than RISC instructions
Architectural constraints require insertion of "No Architectural constraints require insertion of "No- -Operation" instructions Operation" instructions
The EPIC compiler must generate code to test if a problem was en The EPIC compiler must generate code to test if a problem was encountered and then generate countered and then generate
code to fix the problem code to fix the problem
Data is speculatively brought into cache and not used Data is speculatively brought into cache and not used
EPIC uses a static approach to determine how a workload should b EPIC uses a static approach to determine how a workload should be e
processed processed
Rigid execution schedule prevents EPIC from adjusting to data an Rigid execution schedule prevents EPIC from adjusting to data and control d control
patterns that do not fit assumptions made at compile time patterns that do not fit assumptions made at compile time
Inability to cope with runtime variability Inability to cope with runtime variability makes EPIC architecture makes EPIC architecture less desirable less desirable
than RISC for than RISC for transaction processing environments transaction processing environments
Runtime is when a system is actually executing commands. Failure to
execute properly at runtime means transactions need to be stopped, rolled-
back, restarted with loss of time but hopefully with no loss of data!
Some computer engineers consider this static approach the Some computer engineers consider this static approach the flaw flaw in in
EPIC architecture because EPIC attempts to predetermine how a EPIC architecture because EPIC attempts to predetermine how a
processor will respond in a dynamic, non processor will respond in a dynamic, non- -predictable environment predictable environment
(rather than examining how an application is behaving at run tim (rather than examining how an application is behaving at run time). e).
17
A Comment on Benchmarking
A Comment on Benchmarking

EPIC performs well in benchmarks, but

EPIC performs well in benchmarks, but

Because of the static scheduling nature of EPIC, Intel and HP Because of the static scheduling nature of EPIC, Intel and HP
encourage the use of a encourage the use of a profiling profiling step. step.
Profiling is an extra procedure after a program is compiled wher Profiling is an extra procedure after a program is compiled where one runs e one runs
the compiled program on sample data to see how it performs the compiled program on sample data to see how it performs -- -- and then and then
feeds the results back to the compiler for a feeds the results back to the compiler for a second compilation second compilation
Means the sample data must be highly representative of the real Means the sample data must be highly representative of the real data data
This is an expensive process that is only as good as the sample This is an expensive process that is only as good as the sample data data
EPIC works well in TPC EPIC works well in TPC- -C benchmarks (and others) because the C benchmarks (and others) because the
test data is known beforehand! test data is known beforehand!
The code can be pre The code can be pre- -profiled with a workload similar to TPC profiled with a workload similar to TPC- -C (or even with C (or even with
TPC TPC- -C itself) C itself)
EPIC can be tuned to the profile of the benchmark itself EPIC can be tuned to the profile of the benchmark itself usually usually
producing outstanding benchmark results. producing outstanding benchmark results.
Remember Remember it it s what happens at runtime in s what happens at runtime in
the real world that is important! the real world that is important!
18
A Closer Look at the RISC Approach
A Closer Look at the RISC Approach
RISC makers believe they can maintain leadership performance gro RISC makers believe they can maintain leadership performance growth without wth without
introducing a completely new architecture introducing a completely new architecture
Systems performance continues to scale with frequency (and RISC Systems performance continues to scale with frequency (and RISC vendors show vendors show
higher frequency roadmaps than Intel with Itanium) higher frequency roadmaps than Intel with Itanium)
Dual cores; Simultaneous Multi Dual cores; Simultaneous Multi- -Threading (SMT); etc. Threading (SMT); etc.
IBMs Approach:
Courtesy: IBM Corporation
19
A Closer Look at the RISC Approach
A Closer Look at the RISC Approach

Sun
Sun

s approach
s approach
Sun is working on a design that would place six to eight Sun is working on a design that would place six to eight
cores on one die, enabling the company to handle up to cores on one die, enabling the company to handle up to
32 threads simultaneously part of Sun 32 threads simultaneously part of Sun s Throughput s Throughput
Computing Initiative Computing Initiative codenamed codenamed Niagra Niagra) )
Called Called chip multi chip multi- -threading threading (CMT) (CMT) Sun expects to Sun expects to
process tens of threads simultaneously by leveraging the process tens of threads simultaneously by leveraging the
increased number of transistors on a microchip increased number of transistors on a microchip
By 2005, Sun expects to increase performance by By 2005, Sun expects to increase performance by
15X 15X
Beyond 2005, Sun expects to increase today Beyond 2005, Sun expects to increase today s s
process performance by a factor of 30X! process performance by a factor of 30X!
http://www.sun.com/processors/whitepapers/through http://www.sun.com/processors/whitepapers/through
put_whitepaper.pdf put_whitepaper.pdf
In other words, expect RISC technology to continue to have the
capacity and capability to deliver against the Moores Law
performance curve for quite some time!
20
A Closer Look at the RISC Approach
A Closer Look at the RISC Approach
Further, RISC makers believe that they have a solid and Further, RISC makers believe that they have a solid and
sustainable lead over Itanium in the areas of reliability, avail sustainable lead over Itanium in the areas of reliability, availability, ability,
and scalability and scalability
Courtesy: IBM Corporation
21
The Primary Issue:
The Primary Issue:
Applications Availability
Applications Availability

Forget about TPC
Forget about TPC
-
-
C, SPECWEB99_SSL, SPEC CPU2000,
C, SPECWEB99_SSL, SPEC CPU2000,
Linpak
Linpak
HPC et al
HPC et al

enter the real world

enter the real world

The real issue is

The real issue is
porting existing custom (and possibly packaged) applications
porting existing custom (and possibly packaged) applications
to Itanium
to Itanium
Choices: rewrite them Choices: rewrite them or run them in emulation mode on Itanium or run them in emulation mode on Itanium
Check to see if your ISV has ported your favorite applications t Check to see if your ISV has ported your favorite applications to Itanium 2 o Itanium 2
(And if not, in which year will that ISV support Itanium (And if not, in which year will that ISV support Itanium- -based servers) based servers)
How much are you willing to pay to port your custom applications How much are you willing to pay to port your custom applications to Itanium 2? to Itanium 2?
Rev level is also important Rev level is also important
If you run PeopleSoft 7 and HP/Intel only ports PeopleSoft 8 If you run PeopleSoft 7 and HP/Intel only ports PeopleSoft 8 you you ve got to ve got to
upgrade the application too! upgrade the application too!
22
The Primary Issue:
The Primary Issue:
Applications Availability
Applications Availability

The Application Situation
The Application Situation
IBM & Sun Microsystems IBM & Sun Microsystems each offers over 10,000 applications on their each offers over 10,000 applications on their
respective Unix platforms respective Unix platforms
Took many years (after stabilizing their architectures) to get t Took many years (after stabilizing their architectures) to get there here
Intel Intel - - estimated 300 estimated 300- -400 applications available on Itanium 400 applications available on Itanium- -class platforms class platforms
Note that these 300 Note that these 300- -400 are across 3 operating systems: Linux, Windows, Unix 400 are across 3 operating systems: Linux, Windows, Unix
Be careful: some estimates are that EPIC/Itanium is running a th Be careful: some estimates are that EPIC/Itanium is running a thousand applications. ousand applications.
This may be the case This may be the case but examine if the applications are being run in EPIC 64 but examine if the applications are being run in EPIC 64- -bit bit
mode or if they run in the emulator (much slower mode or if they run in the emulator (much slower may be less than 1X of the speed may be less than 1X of the speed
of 32 of 32- -bit!) bit!)
Go to Go to http://cedar.intel.com/cgi http://cedar.intel.com/cgi- -bin/ids.dll/topic.jsp?catCode=CMG bin/ids.dll/topic.jsp?catCode=CMG for Intel for Intel s s
application list application list
Good performance is meaningless if it wont run your applications!
23
The Questions You Need to Ask Yourself
The Questions You Need to Ask Yourself
What What s the benefit? s the benefit?
If you chose to migrate, does the potential gain in performance If you chose to migrate, does the potential gain in performance offset the cost? offset the cost?
New products, expensive assessment/porting/implementation servic New products, expensive assessment/porting/implementation services for what gain? es for what gain?
Is HP Is HP- -UX your long UX your long- -term strategic operating environment? term strategic operating environment?
If yes, stay with HP If yes, stay with HP s plan s plan
If Linux If Linux what are HP what are HP s Linux/EPIC/Itanium plans? s Linux/EPIC/Itanium plans?
If Windows If Windows HP, Dell, and IBM also provide Itanium solutions. Also conside HP, Dell, and IBM also provide Itanium solutions. Also consider AMD. r AMD.
Can the money you need to spend on migration be spent more Can the money you need to spend on migration be spent more
wisely elsewhere (on other projects)? wisely elsewhere (on other projects)?
Does the vendor have the expertise to help in the port? Does the vendor have the expertise to help in the port?
Sign Sign- -up for the white paper on this topic up for the white paper on this topic
Does the vendor have the tools/utilities needed to help port? Does the vendor have the tools/utilities needed to help port?
Sign Sign- -up for the White Paper on this topic up for the White Paper on this topic
Are there alternative approaches? Are there alternative approaches?
Moving to grid architecture to obtain more processing power Moving to grid architecture to obtain more processing power
Moving to a different RISC architecture Moving to a different RISC architecture
Remember: The only reason to go with EPIC/Itanium is to get better
performance. Get price quotes for moving to EPIC/Itanium and for
moving to a competing RISC architecture!
24
The Marketplace
The Marketplace

The Cost Argument

The Cost Argument
Itanium claims: Itanium claims:
Itanium 2 processor 1.40 GHz with 1.5MB L3 cache offers leading Itanium 2 processor 1.40 GHz with 1.5MB L3 cache offers leading price/performance for price/performance for
compute intensive workloads compute intensive workloads and also offers outstanding performance for network edge, and also offers outstanding performance for network edge,
security, and software engineering applications. Optimized for D security, and software engineering applications. Optimized for DP servers and P servers and
workstations workstations [offer] a significant price/performance advantage over RISC [offer] a significant price/performance advantage over RISC- -based platforms based platforms
delivering industry leading $/FLOPS delivering industry leading $/FLOPS . .
Source: Source: http://www.intel.com/products/server/processors/server/itanium2 http://www.intel.com/products/server/processors/server/itanium2- -
/index.htm?iid=ipp_browse+featureprocess_itanium2& /index.htm?iid=ipp_browse+featureprocess_itanium2&
This is true This is true sometimes. The benchmark data constantly changes sometimes. The benchmark data constantly changes
(leapfrogging); and vendors constantly adjust pricing to compete (leapfrogging); and vendors constantly adjust pricing to compete with each with each
other. other.
Also, consider this: Also, consider this:
IDC estimated that the [Itanium] chip, shortly to go into its th IDC estimated that the [Itanium] chip, shortly to go into its third incarnation as the ird incarnation as the
Madison processor, only shipped in 3,500 servers last year. That Madison processor, only shipped in 3,500 servers last year. That's out of a total of 's out of a total of
4,500,000 server systems shipped in 2003 4,500,000 server systems shipped in 2003 . .
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=7983 http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=7983
Speculation: Intel cannot afford to seed this market with cheap
chips ad infinitum (especially with low volumes). Expect price
increases due to low volumes over time in the Intel camp; matched by price
decreases (if necessary) in the RISC camp
25
Look Above the Platform, too!
Look Above the Platform, too!
Applications
M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T
Monitor
Contol
Audit
Secure
Report
Etc.
Custom
Packaged
Windows/Open Source
Commercial Packaged
Middleware
App Dev Tools
Web Server/Portal
Application Server
Infrastructure
Operating Environment
Linux or Windows
S
t
a
n
d
a
r
d
i
z
e
d
S
t
a
n
d
a
r
d
i
z
e
d
S
t
a
n
d
a
r
d
i
z
e
d
Hardware
Intel or PowerPC
S
t
a
n
d
a
r
d
i
z
e
d
J2EE or .NET
Databases
Oracle
SQL Server
DB2
26
Look Above the Platform, too!
Look Above the Platform, too!
Your focus needs
to be on building
information systems
that serve business
process flow.
Find and Manage
Resources Automatically
Dynamic partitioning,
memory, storage allocation
Locate Other
Resources
Generate
a Web
Services
Request
.NETInfrastructure
Applications writtenusing
Microsofts IDE(Visual Studio)
Running onMicrosoft horizon-
tal andvertical infrastructure
components (Exchange, SQL)
Using automatedmanage-
ment; maybe data federation
J2EEInfrastructure
Applications written
using IBMor HPor s IDE
Running onIBM, BEA, or other
horizontal andvertical
infrastructure components
Using autonomic/adaptive
management; maybe data
federation
Generate
a Web
Services
Request
.NETInfrastructure
Applications writtenusing
Microsofts IDE(Visual Studio)
Running onMicrosoft horizon-
tal andvertical infrastructure
components (Exchange, SQL)
Using automatedmanage-
ment; maybe data federation
J2EEInfrastructure
Applications written
using IBMor HPor s IDE
Running onIBM, BEA, or other
horizontal andvertical
infrastructure components
Using autonomic/adaptive
management; maybe data
federation
Agile, Adaptive, or On Demand
Operating Environment
Information Systems Support
Business Process Flow
Where are you going
to find the sophisticated
software that enables
your organization to
build dynamic, subserv-
ient computing environ-
ments that run on EPIC
architecture?
27
Summary Observations
Summary Observations
Both RISC and EPIC architectures strive for the same thing Both RISC and EPIC architectures strive for the same thing
increased performance through parallel processing increased performance through parallel processing
RISC vendors believe they can achieve efficient parallelization RISC vendors believe they can achieve efficient parallelization for for
at least another decade through Simultaneous Multi Threading, at least another decade through Simultaneous Multi Threading,
adding multiple cores to a single die, by increasing frequency, adding multiple cores to a single die, by increasing frequency, and and
numerous other techniques and technical approaches numerous other techniques and technical approaches
RISC vendors also believe that they have a substantial and susta RISC vendors also believe that they have a substantial and sustainable inable
lead over EPIC architecture in reliability, availability, and sc lead over EPIC architecture in reliability, availability, and scalability alability
EPIC/Itanium presents an alternative approach for parallel EPIC/Itanium presents an alternative approach for parallel
processing processing
EPIC/Itanium engineers believe they can beat the RISC approach EPIC/Itanium engineers believe they can beat the RISC approach
Both are good architectures Both are good architectures
The primary differences are: The primary differences are:
EPIC/Itanium runs a new instruction set (potentially requiring s EPIC/Itanium runs a new instruction set (potentially requiring software oftware
migration) migration)
Where parallelization takes place Where parallelization takes place
RISC RISC in the compiler and on the chip; EPIC in the compiler and on the chip; EPIC in the compiler exclusively in the compiler exclusively
Argument: EPIC approach is flawed because it doesn Argument: EPIC approach is flawed because it doesn t allow for t allow for
runtime correction runtime correction
28
Summary Observations
Summary Observations
EPIC does very well (performance EPIC does very well (performance- -wise) in predictable wise) in predictable
application environments application environments
Network edge, security, software engineering, high Network edge, security, software engineering, high- -
performance computing, very large database, a few others performance computing, very large database, a few others
Compute intensive with limited variability Compute intensive with limited variability
EPIC is one of the futures for Microsoft EPIC is one of the futures for Microsoft s Windows s Windows
Problems: Problems:
The biggest problem with EPIC/Itanium is lack of applications The biggest problem with EPIC/Itanium is lack of applications
Around 300 Around 300- -400 across three operating environments 400 across three operating environments
Limited ISV support Limited ISV support
Watch the application reporting numbers (some are 32 Watch the application reporting numbers (some are 32- -bit bit
applications that can run on Itanium applications that can run on Itanium ) )
The second biggest problem will be porting costs for custom The second biggest problem will be porting costs for custom
applications applications
29
Summary Observations
Summary Observations

Hewlett
Hewlett
-
-
Packard is Intel
Packard is Intel

s co
s co
-
-
developer of EPIC
developer of EPIC
HP has bet the farm on EPIC HP has bet the farm on EPIC
Problems with HP approach: Problems with HP approach:
All roads lead to HP All roads lead to HP- -UX on EPIC/Itanium UX on EPIC/Itanium
HP/e3000 to HP HP/e3000 to HP- -UX on EPIC/Itanium migration tools UX on EPIC/Itanium migration tools
and plan and plan
HP Tru64/Alpha to HP HP Tru64/Alpha to HP- -UX on EPIC/Itanium migration UX on EPIC/Itanium migration
tools and plan tools and plan
HP HP HP HP- -UX/PA UX/PA- -RISC to HP RISC to HP- -UX on EPIC/Itanium UX on EPIC/Itanium
(custom engagements) (custom engagements)
What about people who want to go to Linux. Where What about people who want to go to Linux. Where
are the corresponding tools, utilities, and services? are the corresponding tools, utilities, and services?
What about Windows users or Linux users who want What about Windows users or Linux users who want
backward application compatibility with IA backward application compatibility with IA- -32? 32?
Where Where s HP s HP s AMD Opteron support for 64 s AMD Opteron support for 64- -bit bit
compatibility? compatibility?
30
Summary Observations
Summary Observations

Ask yourself some serious questions

Ask yourself some serious questions
What benefit will you derive by rebuilding your platform What benefit will you derive by rebuilding your platform
environment? environment?
Are you strategically committed to HP Are you strategically committed to HP- -UX? UX?
Are there other places where your money can be spent Are there other places where your money can be spent
more wisely (other than on application migration)? more wisely (other than on application migration)?
(security, management, consolidation, business process (security, management, consolidation, business process
integration and management integration and management for instance for instance ). ).
Does your chosen vendor have the expertise to help you Does your chosen vendor have the expertise to help you
migrate? migrate?
Are the tools and utilities in place to help you migrate? Are the tools and utilities in place to help you migrate?

Give careful consideration to what you

Give careful consideration to what you

re
re
ultimately trying to accomplish (hopefully it
ultimately trying to accomplish (hopefully it

s to
s to
build information systems that help streamline
build information systems that help streamline
business process flow)
business process flow)
Make your choice on whichever architecture and Make your choice on whichever architecture and
approach will help you achieve that objective! approach will help you achieve that objective!
31