[Info-vax] Poulson info from Dave Cantor

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 17-11-2010 18:44, JF Mezei wrote:
> John Wallace wrote:
>> By the time you get to a system of that size you need a better OS than
>> Windows, and quite possibly a better OS than Linux too, depending on
>> needs. A few customers *might* also need more IO slots than Proliant
>> can provide.
>
> Is there a reason why an X86 based server can't have as much memory or
> bus slots compared to an IA64 based one ?

No.

x86-64 architecture allows for up to 4 PB RAM.

It is purely limitations in implementation (read: lack of demand).

But even it had been an architectural limit, then they could just
have extended the architecture again.

> I suspect that if HP were to announce EOL of IA64 tonight, by tomorrow
> morning, their web site would feature some 8086 servers that scale all
> the way up to what IA64 offered.

Maybe not tomorrow.

But it could certainly be done.

> I guess HP makes enough money with HP-UX/Tandem/VMS systems to justify
> the continued subsidy to Intel. But wouldn't the profits be greater if
> they gave IA64 it coup de grâce and moved HP-UX and Tandem to industry
> standard archittecture ?

Porting cost money.

And a HW platform switch looses customers.

Bad for business.

Arne