Issues on the horizon when limiting yourself to a Unix strategy

As clearly demonstrated with SPARC-based servers, RISC-based platforms are no longer the best performers.

• Lower performance, higher cost
  RISC based, and specifically SPARC, servers' overall performance is between two to four times lower than IA systems running Linux. Systems designed on proprietary technologies mean restricted hardware and limited software choices and support. Those who are currently acquiring RISC servers are spending more and more operating and maintaining an aging infrastructure (with higher consumption costs, such as power, space, cooling, etc.), as systems and license prices increase continuously.
• Increased capital expenditures endanger important equipment upgrades
  With a higher investment required, RISC platforms require a longer amortization period (from two to three times longer) and therefore dangerously impact any long-term IT strategy for regular technology upgrades. As these servers get more expensive, replacing datacenter equipment may become too large an investment for a reduced IT budget.
• Shifting technology roadmap
  Apart from limited evolutions, product roadmaps for RISC are missing and the technology is losing IT industry focus and interest, creating an additional threat due to knowledge shrinkage.

The value of migrating to Linux

It is widely acknowledged today that Intel ® Xeon ® processor-based HP servers running the Linux operating system deliver better cost/performance ratios than Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) systems. However, companies are still hesitating to migrate their RISC-based applications onto systems with Intel Xeon processors. They first need to clearly examine the costs and benefits of migration, and guarantee continuity and quality of service for mission-critical applications.

It is the RISC platform's limitations that are driving the move to Linux, and companies postponing migrations must be aware of significant issues on the horizon:

• Justifying the cost of continuing to operate and maintain an aging RISC infrastructure, where options for hardware and software upgrades are becoming increasingly limited and costly
• Reducing overall capital expenditure (CAPEX) when RISC platforms require an amortization period two to three times longer than equivalent Intel Architecture (IA) systems
• Handling the high consumption costs (of electrical power, data center space, and sophisticated cooling systems) associated with RISC systems
• Coping with a loss of specialist knowledge as the IT industry slowly loses interest in RISC

The HP and Intel partnership provides many benefits when migrating from RISC to Intel Xeon processor‑based HP ProLiant platforms:

• Intel's clear and stable roadmap for the Intel Xeon processor
• Intel's unequivocal commitment to open source software
• HP's support for and promotion of freedom of choice in both operating system and application software
• Better cost/performance ratios from HP systems than equivalent RISC systems
• Commitment to Linux development and distribution, focused on improving functionality, performance, and scalability as well as reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS)

HP Intel CME Solution Center’s expertise

The participation of service experts with deep and broad migration experience enables us to ensure that our customers are extremely satisfied during the course of, and after, their migration. Our datacenter offers a secure infrastructure for proofs-of-concepts and benchmarks to adapt and validate the solutions, with more than 400 systems in enclosures that have received a Carrier Grade validation to fit telecom requirements.
You can get the benefits of thisgreat collaboration, bringing together HP and Intel technology and expertise with an eco-system of Open Source and third party partners, customers can greatly reduce risk and time-to-market.

To know more about RISC Migration Methodology:
»Download the Solution Brief (PDF)