Announced April 23rd 2014, IBM Power8 Systems for big data offer data processing at incredible new speeds (even Google uses them). Why so fast? We have three BIG reasons…
1. We’re amassing a wealth of data. Tons of information of all types is generated daily about what we do, what we like and how we’re connected. This rush of data is increasing the demand for immediate insights—pushing existing computing systems and infrastructures to their physical (and virtual) limits.
2. Businesses are expecting a lot from the cloud. It’s at the center of their plans to drive IT efficiencies and enable them to better collaborate within and outside the organization. Yet cost and security are proving to be barriers preventing IT from delivering on those strategies. With the right platform, an organization can become more agile and responsive.
3. Technology is advancing rapidly. A dynamic community of open development and collaboration is driving the creation of new technologies and capabilities. Unless you’re part of the community, it’s virtually impossible to keep pace and reap the benefits.
IBM’s recent launch of Power8 Systems at Hot Chips means they truly believe big data is here to stay, and they’re ready with solutions that put big data to work.
Some details about Power8
Power8 is a family of superscalar symmetric multiprocessors based on IBM’s Power Architecture. If that doesn’t ring a bell for you, it means that the heart of a Power8 server will have multiple processors, with multiple cores, and multiple threads within each core.
How Power8 works
With multi-core processors (in multiple sockets), servers save a lot of space and increase performance. With multiple threading, each core will execute two (or more) individual processing cycles simultaneously. So, by using multi-threading, the unused resources within each processor are utilized more effectively and accelerates the performance of the processor. Power8 processors can handle 8 hardware threads simultaneously, meaning you get 96 threads working together on a 12-core chip.
To compare, if IBM built a Power8 phone it would be the size of a shoebox that weighs 20 pounds. If you’re familiar with IBM Power Systems, get more advanced features by watching IBM’s Performance Optimization and Tuning Techniques for IBM Processors video below:
Who Power8 is for
Power8 is designed for midrange and enterprise systems running applications on a giant, shared memory space that is backed by lots of cores and threads.
What you get with Power8
See the chart below for IBM’s Power Systems scale-out offerings:
To dive deeper into this family of products, check out IBM’s Power Systems Brochure, or get a summary below.
Why Softchoice likes Power8
These systems are designed to put big data to work. In fact, these processors are so powerful, Google even built a server around it. We like Power8 because, for our clients, tapping into big data means having the right insights at the right time can separate your organization from competitors and provide unprecedented opportunities for growth. In addition, open infrastructures will allow you to scale out intelligently (using fewer scale-out systems) while being able to move more workloads to the cloud with robust security built into the foundation. In short, Power Systems will help you deliver a broader set of services and incorporate new technologies using the same technology footprint.
What you can do right now
Softchoice has a dedicated IBM team that will help you determine where to begin or how to make the most of your current Power Systems solutions. To talk with us directly, please book at appointment with a member of our presales team by dialing 1-800-268-7638. If you would rather speak with us in person, let us know if you would be interested in attending a Softchoice-hosted event in your city.
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