Achieving infrastructure flexibility and scalable capacity on demand with virtual servers for OS/400-based applications

IBM Managed Hosting - server services virtual iSeries

Taking aim at today’s IT infrastructure

Achieving this goal will require a

challenges with virtualized computing

highly scalable, flexible infrastructure

For years, conducting business on the

that enables companies to respond

Helps reduce IT infrastructure

Web has meant a mounting invest-

dynamically and cost-effectively to

cost and complexity

ment in server and related capacity

everyday resource demands, however

resources. With Web performance

uneven or unpredictable they may be.

critical to visitor retention and cus-

For companies en route to becoming

tomer loyalty, there was little choice

on demand businesses, the answer

but to overbuild the server environ-

lies in virtualization—replacing

Highlights

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Merges IBM ^ ® capability with the dynamic scalability and usage-driven flexibility of virtual technology

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ment to accommodate peak usage

dedicated physical resources with

Helps relieve pressing IT

and maintain superior availability

virtual ones to allow for consolidation

concerns, allowing renewed

levels. For many companies following

and optimal scalability.

focus on strategic business

this path, the resulting information

matters

technology (IT) infrastructure has

Virtualizing the server environment

grown very costly and complex.

IBM virtual server services is one of

Worse yet, it is largely underutilized,

the ways we are helping clients lower

and in a financially strained economy,

their infrastructure costs through

the rising acquisition and manage-

virtualization. Virtual server services

Provides usage-based pricing

ment costs associated with an

pools a client’s server capacity

flexibility

underutilized infrastructure can be a

resources (including CPU processing

real source of frustration.

power, main memory and hard disk

Helps simplify IT management through standardization, automation and integration

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Includes access to a wide

In the current business climate, with

provisioning and management. Virtual

Managed Hosting portfolio

intense pressure to reduce IT costs,

servers share the application workload,

the emphasis has shifted from

minimizing the possibility of a capacity

infrastructure expansion to consolida-

shortage. When a surge occurs,

to isolate and protect client

tion. Company leaders are

additional processing capacity is

environments

determined to lower not only the

dispensed automatically to meet the

number of servers and other hardware

rise in demand.

Leverages partitioning and IBM security technologies

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storage) to help simplify resource

range of services from the IBM

Combines IBM virtualization

resources that make up their IT

and hosting expertise with end-

infrastructure, but the management

to-end infrastructure solutions

complexity as well.

for a virtual world

IBM virtual iSeries™ enables clients running IBM OS/400 ® -based applications to capitalize on these resource benefits. Built using powerful IBM ^ technology,

Virtual infrastructure elements • Switches • Firewalls • Load balancers • Internet bandwidth • Content caching

Internet

virtual iSeries uses the same highperformance POWER4™ processors and dynamic workload management

Client 1 LPARs

features as dedicated iSeries servers, but with even greater resource optimization and cost efficiency. With a single virtual server doing the job of multiple physical

Client 2 dedicated environment

Client 2 LPARs Client 3 LPARs

iSeries servers

Client virtual environments

Client 3 dedicated environment

Client 3 dedicated environment

servers, you can consolidate existing hardware resources and simplify resource management. Logical partitioning technologies, which segment the physical server into multiple virtual servers, allow the virtual servers to efficiently share hardware resources and host multiple operating system instances. One iSeries can be divided into as many as 32 separate logical partitions with server resources distributed dynamically among them. That means you can run multiple applications on a single physical server and reverse the one-to-one, application-to-server mindset that has resulted in an overabundance of servers today. With fewer servers to deploy, you can lower your operating expenses and, more important, your total cost of ownership.

Client 3 data center

IBM delivery center

A virtual iSeries solution helps you gain the benefits of utility computing without giving up your dedicated resource environment. Moreover, it gives you the flexibility to maintain your dedicated resources at an IBM delivery center, your own data center location or both.

Applying the cost benefits to your own

• Better return on investment with

IT environment

fewer expenditures earmarked for

Implementing virtual iSeries technol-

the infrastructure and related

ogy can help you achieve your most

management

critical IT objectives:

• Improved cost control and predictability with usage-based

• Dynamic resource allocation, with

pricing to better align monthly

burstable CPU capacity to accom-

spending with actual resource

modate fluctuations in demand • Rapid provisioning of additional

consumption • Accelerated time-to-market for

resources beyond the base capac-

new applications, by leveraging

ity commitment, with fulfillment of

available partitions of the virtual

CPU, memory and disk capacity

server and helping you avoid the

requirements as needed

delays and cost of purchasing

• Optimal server utilization, enabling a single machine to handle increased workloads and multiple applications, with limited or no degradation to performance and availability

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additional server hardware.

Implementing management efficiencies

Virtual iSeries can also facilitate

While virtual iSeries lessens the need

enterprisewide for the greatest benefit

resource consolidation and integration

for in-house server management,

Every device added to an IT infra-

across multiple business units. This

your system administrators still retain

structure to accommodate a new

makes it easier to implement a

visibility into the operating environ-

application or greater throughput

standardized management toolset

ment and its performance via IBM

increases its complexity. This ad hoc

across the enterprise. Multiple

e-business Hosting™ Connection, our

approach to server acquisition has

business units can share capacity

comprehensive Web portal service.

resulted in a heterogeneous mix of

resources with less waste and greater

hardware and operating systems that

efficiency. With resources pooled,

The flexibility built into the virtual

is often difficult to manage with a single

individual workloads can be handled

iSeries helps you implement the

set of tools. Emerging technologies

by common hardware. Plus, iSeries

service according to your business

have also increased the complexity of

enables you to assign each parti-

needs. Virtual iSeries servers can be

the infrastructure, putting enormous

tioned application exactly the

implemented alongside your dedi-

pressure on existing IT personnel and

resources needed, without shutting

cated servers. So going virtual doesn’t

forcing company executives to hire

down the partition.

mean you have to replace your entire dedicated infrastructure. Plus, you

additional skill sets or risk techFinally, virtual iSeries facilitates

can retain your dedicated infrastruc-

automation. Instead of the manual

ture at its current location. The

IBM virtual iSeries technology helps

effort and time typically required to

open-standards-based virtual iSeries

lessen the IT management struggle

handle functions like resource

servers facilitate interoperability with

and its costs. You can consolidate

provisioning, automation enables

legacy systems and IT environments

testing and production workloads on

them to be handled more simply, with

no matter where they reside.

the same device, in separate parti-

fewer personnel and at lower cost.

nological obsolescence.

But virtual iSeries flexibility does not

tions. You not only reduce the need for additional dedicated testing servers,

Mapping the service to your business

end with the initial implementation.

you can build and test new applica-

needs

Each month, IBM will work with you to

tions on the same system on which

Virtual iSeries (OS/400 v5 r2 Standard

size your virtual resource capacity

they will be deployed, simplifying the

Edition) servers are deployed and

according to projected needs. You

migration from testing to production.

managed by IBM at an IBM delivery

continually adjust your baseline

center. Applications running in the

resource commitment to accommo-

virtual server environment are

date shifts in the workload. This

accessible over the Internet via frame

enables you to optimize your monthly

relay, virtual private network (VPN)

resource costs and reduces the need

connection or other connection.

for bursting. It also helps ensure that ample resource capacity is available to your applications whenever it’s needed

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Virtual iSeries minimum standard configuration

Configuration options

Operating system supported

OS/400 v5 r2 Standard Edition

Processor (CPU) resource

One 8- or 16-way processor, plus dynamic allocation of resources 25% above or below the CPU hours baseline amount

CPU hours baseline amount determined by client; additional processor units or fractional processor resources are assigned as needed

Main memory

4GB

Baseline amount determined by client; additional resources are available in 1GB increments

Disk storage

220GB provisioned from internal DASD

Additional storage available in 30GB increments

Network interface cards

Up to 3 IOAs (input/output adapters) for each logical partition

Additional IOAs available as required

IBM’s technical team will work with you to help establish an appropriate configuration for your monthly resource needs.

Establishing a baseline and monitoring

usage charge you have established

important. Charges are based on

monthly utilization

for the month. If you use 25 percent

the amount of resources allocated

Your monthly resource commitment

more hours, your monthly charge will

each month, and additional disk

not only determines the baseline

be 25 percent higher. It’s simple—you

space and memory can be pur-

processor capacity available to your

pay for the resources you use.

chased as needed.

base usage charges. To help you set

IBM gathers utilization metrics to help

Leveraging integrated IBM management

an initial baseline, IBM monitors your

you forecast processing require-

and support services

actual usage for 60 days. We provide

ments for the upcoming month.

IBM provides a common toolset for

usage reports and sizing tool esti-

Baselines can be adjusted up or

managing and supporting our clients’

mates to help you come up with an

down each month, giving you the

virtual and dedicated server environ-

appropriate number of CPU hours

flexibility to allocate adequate

ments. Standard Managed Hosting

for each virtual server.

processing resources for monthly

services provided with the virtual

promotions or seasonal fluctuations

iSeries solution include:

applications, it also determines your

Once this baseline is established, you

in demand. The virtual iSeries pricing

are charged for the actual CPU hours

flexibility also enables you to keep

you consume monthly, within a 50

monthly payments predictable and

and the operating system for server

percent band. If you use 25 percent

under control.

virtualization, and configuration of

• Installation of the physical server

multiple virtual server instances

fewer hours than your baseline commitment, your monthly charge will

Although charges for disk and

be 25 percent less than the baseline

memory capacity are not based

monthly review of client-specific

on usage, monthly planning is still

usage data and upcoming plans

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• Capacity planning, including a

Relying on virtual iSeries to isolate and

Virtual LAN offers distinct, high-

availability monitoring, network

protect your work environment

speed Ethernet connections between

bandwidth monitoring and server

Each client’s virtual environment is

partitions to allow for dynamic

utilization monitoring

logically partitioned and physically

processor allocation across partitions

isolated from that of other IBM clients.

while restricting traffic as needed.

physical and virtual servers,

Key iSeries Hypervisor and virtual

Security-rich communication paths

including alert monitoring, problem

LAN (VLAN) technologies help guard

can be easily established or pre-

determination and fault correction

against unauthorized cross-partition

vented between partitions. Because

access, denial of service attacks and

these paths cannot be detected by

plus billing, performance and utili-

resource insufficiencies among

other partitions, they preclude one

zation reports via a single Web portal

partitions.

partition from eavesdropping on the

• Device (IP ping) and URL

• Proactive management of the

• Access to client support services,

• Service level agreements for availability

data moving between other partitions. Hypervisor oversees partition control

• Call center support

and mediation for iSeries servers,

Virtual iSeries servers are also

• Routine operational services,

isolating partitions from one another

protected by IBM managed security

including system reboots and

at the processor, memory and I/O

services, including vulnerability

device status notifications, plus

device level. This is designed to

scanning, which audits the iSeries

tape backup and restoration.

prevent a program running in one par-

monthly to pinpoint weaknesses that

tition from affecting another. It is also

are in violation of predefined security

You can augment the standard

designed to prevent high processor

controls; security policy verification,

services with security, performance,

utilization or an outage in one partition

which automatically checks compli-

storage and other services from the

from impacting the performance of

ance and evaluates suspicious policy

IBM Managed Hosting services

another. Likewise, programs running

changes monthly; and Internet-facing

portfolio. Custom hardware, software

outside the Hypervisor cannot

managed firewall services. All of

and application solutions can also be

accidentally or maliciously execute

these services are designed to

provided, as well as disaster recovery,

an instruction that could affect a

provide protection proactively—

database support and application

Hypervisor-controlled partition.

before a breach occurs. If a security

performance management.

fault is detected by these services, IBM will respond and take any corrective action needed.

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Leading the virtualization movement

Today, IBM makes it possible to

Virtual iSeries is part of a family of

virtualize the IT infrastructure from

virtual service offerings from IBM.

end to end, allowing you to achieve

Other virtual server offerings include

the greatest cost savings and return on

virtual pSeries (for AIX -based

your existing IT investment. Choosing

applications), virtual xSeries (for

these solutions can help you retain

Microsoft Windows -based applica-

your competitive advantage. Choos-

tions) and Linux virtual services (for

ing IBM can provide the virtual

Linux-based applications running on

technology expertise you need and

IBM zSeries mainframes). Together,

the multiplatform flexibility your IT

these solutions offer clients the

environment demands.

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industry’s first multiplatform, virtual server solution for e-business.

Virtualization is a critical step in the move to on demand. As you make

IBM virtual networking services

your move, let IBM help you imple-

redefine the way front-end infrastruc-

ment virtual iSeries and the dynamic

ture capacity is delivered. They

e-business infrastructure to speed

provide a highly scalable, usage-

the journey.

based virtual alternative when dedicated services become too costly

For more information

or difficult to manage. Services include

To learn more about virtual iSeries,

IBM managed firewall, managed load

contact your IBM sales representative

balancing and Internet bandwidth.

or ask your IBM Business Partner about IBM e-business Hosting, and visit:

© Copyright IBM Corporation 2004 IBM Global Services Route 100 Somers, NY 10589 U.S.A. Printed in the United States of America 02-04 All Rights Reserved IBM, the IBM logo, the e-business logo, the e(logo), the e(logo) business on demand lock-up, e-business Hosting, eServer, AIX, OS/400, POWER4, iSeries, pSeries, xSeries and zSeries are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other counties, or both. References to “utility” in this document reflect industry usage and are not intended to suggest that “on demand” services are similar to public utility services for purposes of governmental regulation.” Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others. References in this publication to IBM products or services do not imply that IBM intends to make them available in all countries in which IBM operates.

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