One of the claims that we in the Linux on System z world make is that it can be more cost effective to run your systems on the mainframe than using a distributed x86-based architecture. I was trawling my research and decided to post some of the key data points and quotations that support this hypothesis. There’s a huge amount of research behind this but if I were talking to a customer and wanted to hit the highlights this would be a good starting point:
- Over a three year period, total costs for hardware, software and support can be up to 80% less with similar dramatic savings on floor space and energy.
- Using a fully configured machine running Linux for System z, clients can create and maintain a Linux virtual server in the z114 for as little as $500 per year.[1]
- Extra resources to manage an additional 10 IFLs? Probably none at all but add 100 x86 cores you’ll need an additional two people.
- Clients can consolidate workloads from forty x-86 processors running Oracle software on to a z114 with just three processors running Linux.
- Run production, development and QA environment on single machine
- Much better resource utilization (often 90%+) without degradation on service vs. x86 typically at 10-20% utilization levels
- Just take Oracle licensing costs as an example. A System z10 BC with one IFL compared to cluster of two x86 dual-processor Intel quad-core servers:
- Saving 87.5% on licensing Oracle Database Enterprise Edition Full License
- Saving 87.5% per annum on the cost of Oracle Database Enterprise Edition
- According to Gartner, one major Insurance Company
- Saved ~80% of floor space and a similar percentage of electric power
- Avoided investing additional $10 million for backup
- Reduced TCO by $15 million in 3 years
[1] http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/35013.wss
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