IBM Power Enterprise Pools 2.0 delivers enhanced Utility Capacity for processors and memory across a collection of IBM Power E980 servers
IBM Europe Hardware Announcement ZG19-0006April 23, 2019
ENUSZG19-0006.PDF
The planned availability date was revised.
The planned availability date was corrected.
At a glance
IBM® Power® Enterprise Pools 2.0 is a new IBM Power E980 offering designed to deliver enhanced multisystem resource sharing and by-the-minute consumption of on-premises Power E980 compute resources to clients deploying and managing a private cloud infrastructure.
- All installed processors and memory on servers in a Power Enterprise Pool (2.0) are activated and made available for immediate use when a pool is started. There is no need to reallocate mobile resources from server to server.
- System capacity may be seamlessly made available when it is needed without requiring human awareness or intervention.
- Permanent, Capacity Upgrade on Demand processor and memory activations (Base Capacity) and corresponding license entitlements are purchased on each Power E980 system. These Base Processor and Memory Activation resources are then aggregated across a pool.
- Unpurchased (inactive upon shipment) processor and memory capacity in the pool is activated when a pool is started and can subsequently be used on a pay-as-you-go basis (Metered Capacity) from Capacity Credits purchased from IBM or an authorized IBM Business Partner.
- Processor resource within a pool is tracked by the minute, based on actual consumption by shared processor partitions.
- Memory resource within a pool is tracked by the minute, based on the assignment of resources to partitions, not based on operating system usage of the memory.
- Metered Capacity consumption on one system may be offset by idle Base Capacity elsewhere in the pool during the same period.
- A single Power Enterprise Pool (2.0) may support up to 500 shared processor partitions across up to 16 Power E980 systems within a single enterprise, within a single country.
- Each Power Enterprise Pool (2.0) is monitored and managed from a Cloud Management Console in the IBM Cloud.
- Capacity Credits may be purchased from IBM, an authorized IBM Business Partner, or online through the IBM Entitled System Support website, where available.
- Clients may more easily identify capacity usage and trends across their Power E980 systems in a pool by viewing web-accessible aggregated data without spreadsheets or custom analysis tools.
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Overview
As more enterprises look at ways to reduce costs while maintaining the scalability required to stay competitive in today's fast-paced business environment, pay-as-you-go or consumption-based infrastructure models have grown increasingly popular. These purchase models enable clients to quickly scale their IT infrastructure up or down to optimize costs while quickly adapting to dynamic business environments. To maintain a competitive advantage, you need an IT model that helps you adapt rapidly to the changing tech landscape. That's where a consumption-based IT thrives because it:
- Balances the flexibility of cloud infrastructure with the control, security, and reliability you'd expect from your on-premises data centers
- Pays for IT resources and capacity on demand, reducing up-front CapEx and other costs associated with traditional procurement processes (that is, energy, cooling, and so on)
- Enables rapid infrastructure expansion to accommodate the needs of new projects and workloads
All these benefits contribute to a greater alignment between business and IT leaders, and when both sides of an organization are aligned, you're better prepared to deliver innovative products and services to your customers. Regardless of industry or company size, the shift to consumption-based IT is clear.
IBM Power Enterprise Pools 2.0 delivers enhanced multisystem resource sharing and by-the-minute consumption of on-premises compute resources for clients deploying and managing a private cloud infrastructure. This flexibility combined with the Power E980 security, reliability, and scalability provide clients with the consumption-based-IT solution required in today's dynamic, hyper-competitive market. Power Enterprise Pools 2.0 simplifies system management, so clients can focus on optimizing their business results instead of moving resources around within their data center. Resources are easily tracked and monitored by the IBM Cloud™ Management Console with HMC, which automatically tracks usage by the minute and debits against Capacity Credits based on actual usage. With Power Enterprise Pools 2.0, clients no longer need to worry about over-provisioning capacity to support growth.
Base Capacity is processor and memory resource that is purchased on each Power E980 system and is then aggregated across a defined pool of systems for consumption monitoring.
Metered Capacity is the additional installed processor and memory resource above a system's Base Capacity, activated and made available for immediate use when a pool is started, then monitored by the minute and metered by an IBM Cloud Management Console.
Metered resource usage is charged only for minutes exceeding the pool's aggregate Base resources, and Metered Capacity charges are debited against a client's purchased Capacity Credits on a real-time basis.
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Key prerequisites
- One or more Power E980 systems with IBM AIX®, Linux®, or IBM i operating system. See the Hardware requirements section and Software requirements section for detailed requirements.
- IBM Power Systems Firmware 930
- Hardware Management Console 930
- IBM Cloud Management Console
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Planned availability date
May 17, 2019, except June 28, 2019, for the following functions for Power Enterprise Pools 2.0:
- Multiple Hardware Management Console (HMC) concurrent connections to CMC per Power E980 system.
- Reducing access to Metered processor resources to enforce a client's budget for Capacity Credit consumption.
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Description
Pools 2.0 provides new innovation beyond the initial Power Enterprise Pools offering, by allowing Base Processor Activations, Base Memory Activations, and their corresponding license entitlements to be effectively shared across a collection of Power E980 systems without having to move Mobile activation resources through the Hardware Management Console (HMC).
Pools 2.0 enables a group of Power E980 systems, using shared processor partitions, to be defined as a pool of collective Base Capacity resources, activates all available processor and memory resources systems within the pool, and then monitors the collective processor, memory, AIX, and IBM i license entitlement resource utilization of the pool by the minute. Any individual resource consumption above the pool's Base (purchased) resources is charged as Metered Capacity by the minute.
A new Cloud Management Console (CMC) application entitled Enterprise Pools 2.0 enables clients to monitor their Base and Metered Capacity across the pool, providing summary and sophisticated drill-down views of realtime and historical resource consumption by virtual machine (VM).
Clients pay for Metered Capacity consumption by purchasing Capacity Credits, which are then debited realtime as processor, memory, and/or license entitlement resources above the pool's Base are consumed by the minute.
Power Enterprise Pools 2.0 process for enabling Utility Capacity:
- Clients purchase one or more Power E980 systems with Base Processor and Memory Activations, as well as corresponding software license entitlements.
- Clients purchase an initial quantity of Capacity Credits from an IBM Business Partner, directly from IBM Sales or where available, on the IBM Entitled System Support site, to pay for potential Metered Capacity consumption (minutes of consumption above a pool's collective Base Capacity for a given resource).
- A system administrator creates a Pool ID through the Entitled System Support using the serial number of a Power E980 system with associated Capacity Credits.
- An administrator accesses the Cloud Management Console and defines a Power Enterprise Pool using the Pool ID and assigns Power E980 systems to it by serial number.
- All resources are subsequently activated on all E980 systems in the pool, and the Cloud Management Console begins monitoring the pool.
- Metered resource minutes consumed above the pool's aggregate Base for that resource are debited against the pool's Capacity Credits by the Cloud Management Console and updated in Entitled System Support daily.
The Enterprise Pools 2.0 application provides features to:
- Start a pool
- Add Power E980 systems to a pool
- Set a monthly budget for Metered Capacity consumption
- Analyze total or Metered minutes, Capacity Credits, core, memory, or operating system resource usage
- Monitor Base and Metered Capacity used within a pool over time
- Analyze trends within a pool and adjust time scale to review by minutes, hours, days, weeks, or month
- Drill down within a selected time period to see more detailed usage by VM
- Show Capacity Credits consumed and breakdown usage by resource within a pool
- Display Capacity Credit balance, budget status, Metered resource rate table, and Capacity Credit purchase history
- Monitor and maintain monthly Capacity Credit budget
- Tailor alerts and thresholds for a pool based upon budget and resource consumption
Both core and memory usage are tracked and charged by the minute. Both are based on the average usage for one minute and not the peak usage during the minute.
- Core usage is tracked based on actual consumption by partitions.
- Memory usage is tracked based on the assignment of memory to partitions and is not tracked based on the operating system usage of the memory. Only memory assigned to active partitions is tracked and charged.
Core usage is tracked and charged by operating system. Pools 2.0 has two different types of Base Processor Activation resources, and software license entitlement is monitored and metered independently of processor activations; therefore, there are four different types of core-related Metered Capacity charges:
- A core that may run any operating system supported on Power
- A core that may run only Linux/VIOS
- IBM AIX software (licensed per core)
- IBM i software (licensed per core)
There are no software charges for Linux or VIOS partitions. Linux license entitlement must be procured separately as required to support the appropriate cores/sockets activated and available for use by Pools 2.0.
Metered Capacity resources consumed will be debited against 1 Capacity Credit at the following rates:
| Metered resource | Usage Ratio (Minutes : 1 Capacity Credit) |
|---|---|
| 1 Core Activation - any OS | 20,000 |
| 1 Core Activation - Linux/VIOS only | 40,000 |
| AIX software | 30,000 |
| IBM i software | 1,500 |
| 1GB Memory Activation | 1,500,000 |
Only Power E980 servers are allowed in Power Enterprise Pools 2.0, that is, no Power E880C, Power E870C, or earlier generation servers may co-exist in this new pool. Because all available resources in Pools 2.0 are fully-active and available for use by the minute, there is no requirement or support for using Elastic COD to activate resources by the day or need to reallocate any Mobile activation resources offered with the initial Power Enterprise Pools offering, so these options are not supported on a system configured for Power Enterprise Pools 2.0. Power Enterprise Pools with Mobile activations and Elastic Capacity on Demand remain available as discrete for Power E980 and previous generation high-end systems.
Requirements for Power Enterprise Pools 2.0:
- One to sixteen Power E980 systems, each having at least 25% of its installed processors activated through Base Processor Activation features and at least 50% of its installed memory activation features activated through Base Memory Activation features.
- All VMs on Power E980 systems within a Power Enterprise Pool (2.0) must be configured as shared processor partitions. Dedicated processor partitions are not allowed.
- A maximum of 500 virtual machines are supported in an instance of Cloud Management Console managing a Power Enterprise Pool (2.0) - upon initial release.
- Power Systems Firmware level 930, or later.
- Hardware Management Console 930.
- All Power E980 servers in a Power Enterprise Pool (2.0) must be under warranty or current IBM Hardware Maintenance contract with the same service level.
- All cores activated by Base Processor Activations must be licensed for supported operating system and registered for associated Software Subscription and Support.
- All cores activated by Base Processor Activations must be licensed for either IBM Power Systems Enterprise Cloud Edition (5765-ECB) or IBM Power Systems Enterprise Cloud Edition with AIX (5765-CBA) and registered for associated Software Subscription and Support.
- A connection to an IBM Cloud Management Console (subscription included as part of Enterprise Cloud Edition above).
- Capacity Credits purchased through IBM or IBM Business Partner or IBM Entitled System Support, where available.
An Attachment for Power Enterprise Pools 2.0 with Cloud Management (Z126-8404) either signed with purchase of capacity credits or accepted online as part of a capacity credit purchase transaction through Entitled System Support.
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Statement of general direction
IBM intends to increase the maximum number of virtual machines supported in one or more Power Enterprise Pools (2.0) managed by a single Cloud Management Console instance to 1,000.
Statements by IBM regarding its plans, directions, and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice at the sole discretion of IBM. Information regarding potential future products is intended to outline general product direction and should not be relied on in making a purchasing decision. The information mentioned regarding potential future products is not a commitment, promise, or legal obligation to deliver any material, code, or functionality. Information about potential future products may not be incorporated into any contract. The development, release, and timing of any future features or functionality described for IBM products remain at the sole discretion of IBM.
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Product number
Features available May 17, 2019
The following are newly announced features on the specific models of the IBM Power Systems 5819 machine type:
Machine Feature
Description type Model number
Power Capacity Credits 5819 CRD 1 Capacity Credit (Pools 2.0) 5819 CRD EP9B 10 Capacity Credits (Pools 2.0) 5819 CRD EP9C 100 Capacity Credits (Pools 2.0) 5819 CRD EP9D 1,000 Capacity Credits (Pools 2.0) 5819 CRD EP9E 10,000 Capacity Credits (Pools 2.0) 5819 CRD EP9F
The following are newly announced features on the specific models of the IBM Power Systems 9080 machine type:
Machine Feature
Description type Model number
Power Enterprise Pools 2.0 Enablement 9080 M9S EP20 1 core Base Processor Activation (Pools 2.0) for EFP1 9080 M9S EP90 1 core Base Processor Activation (Pools 2.0) for EFP2 9080 M9S EP91 1 core Base Processor Activation (Pools 2.0) for EFP3 9080 M9S EP92 1 core Base Processor Activation (Pools 2.0) for EFP4 9080 M9S EP93 1 core Base Linux Processor Activation (Pools 2.0) for EFP1 9080 M9S EP96 1 core Base Linux Processor Activation (Pools 2.0) for EFP2 9080 M9S EP97 1 core Base Linux Processor Activation (Pools 2.0) for EFP3 9080 M9S EP98 1 core Base Linux Processor Activation (Pools 2.0) for EFP4 9080 M9S EP99 256 GB Base Memory Activation (Pools 2.0) 9080 M9S EP9S 512 GB Base Memory Activation (Pools 2.0) 9080 M9S EP9U
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Publications
Not applicable.
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Services
IBM Systems Lab Services
IBM Systems Lab Services offers a wide array of services available for your enterprise. It brings expertise on the latest technologies from the IBM development community and can help with your most difficult technical challenges.
IBM Systems Lab Services exists to help you successfully implement emerging technologies so as to accelerate your return on investment and improve your satisfaction with your IBM systems and solutions. Services examples include initial implementation, integration, migration, and skills transfer on IBM systems solution capabilities and recommended practices. IBM Systems Lab Services is one of the service organizations of IBM's world-renowned IBM Systems Group development labs.
For details on available services, contact your IBM representative or go to the IBM Systems Lab Services website.
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IBM services include business consulting, outsourcing, hosting services, applications, and other technology management.
These services help you learn about, plan, install, manage, or optimize your IT infrastructure to be an on-demand business. They can help you integrate your high-speed networks, storage systems, application servers, wireless protocols, and an array of platforms, middleware, and communications software for IBM and many non-IBM offerings. IBM is your one-stop shop for IT support needs.
For details on available services, contact your IBM representative or go to the IBM Global Technology Services® website.
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Details on education offerings related to specific products can be found on the IBM authorized training website.
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Technical information
Specified operating environment
Hardware requirements
This new Enterprise Pools 2.0 offering is available to use for the following IBM Power System:
- IBM Power High End system 9080-M9S
- HMC 930
- IBM Cloud Management Console
Software requirements
IBM Power Systems Enterprise Cloud Edition (5765-ECB) or IBM Power Systems Enterprise Cloud Edition with AIX (5765-CBA)
If installing the AIX operating system LPAR with any I/O configuration (one of these):
- AIX 7.2 with the 7200-03 Technology Level, or later
- AIX 7.2 with the 7200-02 Technology Level and Service Pack 7200-02-03-1845, or later
- AIX 7.2 with the 7200-01 Technology Level and Service Pack 7200-01-05-1845, or later
- AIX 7.1 with the 7100-05 Technology Level and Service Pack 7100-05-03-1838, or later
- AIX 7.1 with the 7100-04 Technology Level and Service Pack 7100-04-07-1845, or later
- AIX 6.1 with the 6100-09 Technology Level and Service Pack 6100-09-12-1838, or later (AIX 6.1 service extension required)
If installing the AIX operating system Virtual I/O only LPAR (one of these):
- AIX 7.2 with the 7200-02 Technology Level and Service Pack 7200-02-01-1732, or later
- AIX 7.2 with the 7200-01 Technology Level and Service Pack 7200-01-01-1642, or later
- AIX 7.2 with the 7200-00 Technology Level and Service Pack 7200-00-02-1614, or later
- AIX 7.1 with the 7100-05 Technology Level and Service Pack 7100-05-01-1731, or later
- AIX 7.1 with the 7100-04 Technology Level and Service Pack 7100-04-02-1614, or later
- AIX 6.1 with the 6100-09 Technology Level and Service Pack 6100-09-07-1614, or later (AIX 6.1 service extension required)
If installing the IBM i operating system (one of these):
- IBM i 7.2 TR9, or later
- IBM i 7.3 TR5, or later
See the IBM Prerequisite website for compatibility information for hardware features and the corresponding AIX and IBM i Technology Levels.
If installing the Linux operating system (one of these):
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.5 for Power LE (p8compat), or later
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for SAP with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 for Power LE version 7.5, or later
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 Service Pack 3, or later
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 Service Pack 3, or later
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Service Pack 4 , or later
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15, or later
Note: The above list applies to the installation of the Linux operating system LPAR in nonproduction SAP HANA implementations.
If installing VIOS:
- VIOS 2.2.6.31, or later
- VIOS 3.1.0.10, or later
Java™ is supported on POWER9™ servers. For the best use of the performance capabilities and the most recent improvements of POWER9 technology, IBM recommends upgrading Java-based applications to Java 7, Java 8, or later, whenever possible. For those clients who want to run Java in AIX environments, see the AIX Download and service information website.
For Linux (including Linux on Power), see the Linux Download information website.
For those clients who want to run Java in IBM i environments, read the following planning statements:
- Java 6 is not a supported environment for IBM i 7.3 and is no longer supported in IBM i 7.2.
- For those clients who want to run Java on IBM i, see the Java on IBM website.
Planning information
Cable orders
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The client is responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and appropriate controls in application systems and communications facilities.
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IBM Electronic Services
IBM has transformed its delivery of hardware and software support services to help you achieve higher system availability. Electronic Services is a web-enabled solution that offers an exclusive, no-additional-charge enhancement to the service and support available for IBM servers. These services are designed to provide the opportunity for greater system availability with faster problem resolution and preemptive monitoring. Electronic Services comprises two separate, but complementary, elements: Electronic Services news page and Electronic Services Agent.
The Electronic Services news page is a single internet entry point that replaces the multiple entry points traditionally used to access IBM Internet services and support. The news page enables you to gain easier access to IBM resources for assistance in resolving technical problems.
The Electronic Service Agent is no-additional-charge software that resides on your server. It monitors events and transmits system inventory information to IBM on a periodic, client-defined timetable. The Electronic Service Agent automatically reports hardware problems to IBM. Early knowledge about potential problems enables IBM to deliver proactive service that may result in higher system availability and performance. In addition, information collected through the Service Agent is made available to IBM service support representatives when they help answer your questions or diagnose problems. Installation and use of IBM Electronic Service Agent for problem reporting enables IBM to provide better support and service for your IBM server.
To learn how Electronic Services can work for you, go to the IBM Electronic Service Agent website.
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Terms and conditions
Products - terms and conditions
Warranty period
Not applicable
Terms and Conditions
Each Machine in the Enterprise Pool 2.0 must be covered by the same level of IBM (Hardware and Software) Warranty and or Maintenance support. All Base Processor Activations must be licensed for AIX, IBM i, or Linux and included associated Software Subscription and Support.
Usage plan machine
No
IBM hourly service rate classification
Not applicable
When a type of service involves the exchange of a machine part, the replacement may not be new, but will be in good working order.
Maintenance service offerings
Not applicable
General terms and conditions
Field-installable features
No
Model conversions
No
Machine installation
Client setup. Clients are responsible for installation according to the instructions IBM provides with the machine.
Graduated program license charges apply
No
Licensed Machine Code
IBM Machine Code is licensed for use by a client on the IBM machine for which it was provided by IBM under the terms and conditions of the IBM License Agreement for Machine Code, to enable the machine to function in accordance with its specifications, and only for the capacity authorized by IBM and acquired by the client. You can obtain the agreement by contacting your IBM representative. It can also be found on the License Agreement for Machine Code and Licensed Internal Code website.
Access to Machine Code updates is conditioned on entitlement and license validation in accordance with IBM policy and practice. IBM may verify entitlement through client number, serial number, electronic restrictions, or any other means or methods employed by IBM in its discretion.
If the machine does not function as warranted and your problem can be resolved through your application of downloadable Machine Code, you are responsible for downloading and installing these designated Machine Code changes as IBM specifies. If you would prefer, you may request IBM to install downloadable Machine Code changes; however, you may be charged for that service.
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For all local charges, contact your IBM representative.
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IBM Global Financing offers competitive financing to credit-qualified clients to assist them in acquiring IT solutions. Offerings include financing for IT acquisition, including hardware, software, and services, from both IBM and other manufacturers or vendors. Offerings (for all client segments: small, medium, and large enterprise), rates, terms, and availability can vary by country. Contact your local IBM Global Financing organization or go to the IBM Global Financing website for more information.
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All European, Middle Eastern, and African countries, except Islamic Republic of Iran, Sudan, and Syrian Arab Republic.
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