https://www.theregister.com/2022/12/15/new_ibm_power_cpu_for_oracle/ [user] [user] Sign in / up The Register(r) -- Biting the hand that feeds IT [magn] [burg] [burg] Topics Security Security All SecurityCyber-crimePatchesResearchCSO (X) Off-Prem Off-Prem All Off-PremEdge + IoTChannelPaaS + IaaSSaaS (X) On-Prem On-Prem All On-PremSystemsStorageNetworksHPCPersonal Tech (X) Software Software All SoftwareAI + MLApplicationsDatabasesDevOpsOSesVirtualization (X) Offbeat Offbeat All OffbeatDebatesColumnistsScienceGeek's GuideBOFHLegalBootnotesSite NewsAbout Us (X) Vendor Voice Vendor Voice Vendor Voice All Vendor VoiceAmazon Web Services (AWS) Business Transformation CofenseGoogle CloudGoogle Cloud for StartupsOutsystemsRapid7 Supermicro (X) Resources Resources Whitepapers Webinars Newsletters [systems] Systems 14 comment bubble on white IBM to create 24-core Power chip so customers can exploit Oracle database license 14 comment bubble on white Big Red doesn't charge more when users add cores, so Big Blue plans to triple the count. Because why not? icon Simon Sharwood Thu 15 Dec 2022 // 00:34 UTC # IBM has quietly announced it's planning a 24-core Power 10 processor, seemingly to make one of its servers capable of running Oracle's database in a cost-effective fashion. A hardware announcement dated December 13 revealed the chip in the following "statement of general direction" about Big Blue's Power S1014 technology-based server: IBM intends to announce a high-density 24-core processor for the IBM Power S1014 system (MTM 9105-41B) to address application environments utilizing an Oracle Database with the Standard Edition 2 (SE2) licensing model. It intends to combine a robust compute throughput with the superior reliability and availability features of the IBM Power platform while complying with Oracle Database SE2 licensing guidelines. The Register asked IBM to share details of the planned CPU, and why it feels the need to make one that complies with the SE2 license. The IT giant has not responded, though Oracle's description of the SE2 licensing model goes a long way toward explaining why Big Blue will build a processor for it. Oracle's blurb states: Oracle Database SE2 can be licensed on servers with a maximum of 2 sockets. However, the core counts per 2-socket server can increase over time without impacting customer license obligation. With Oracle Database SE2, customer license costs remain the same regardless of the number of cores in the socket. The Power S1014 is a single-socket 4U device, which IBM offers with processor modules boasting four or eight Power10 cores. The jump to 24 cores will therefore represent a significant capacity boost for Oracle-on-Power users who opt for a mere single-core server, without requiring them to pay more for Big Red's database. * Oracle clouds never go down, says Oracle's Larry Ellison * IBM so confident in supply chain, it's frozen storage prices and has freebies for late shipments * IBM: Hey Joe, we make chips, too. How about some of 'em subsidies? * IBM adds iTaaS to System I, Power 10 server bundle IBM's decision recalls Lenovo's 2019 release of the ThinkSystem SR655 server - a machine which filled its sole CPU socket with a 64-core AMD Epyc 7002. Lenovo promoted the manycore machine as a fine way to run plenty of VMs under VMware's server virtualization offerings at a time when Virtzilla licensed its wares per socket and few server-grade microprocessors could match the Epyc family's core count. Buyers liked that idea because a 64-core chip is, on paper, capable of handling more guests than lesser processors. VMware did not like that idea as much and quickly changed its licenses so that CPUs with over 32 cores counted as an extra socket for licensing purposes. The difference in this case is that Oracle's SE2 license allows for increased core counts without increased charges. VMware's licenses did not when Lenovo made its Epyc move. [systems] But Big Red is infamously fond of ensuring it maximizes revenue from customers. As the Power S1014 did not have a 24-core option at launch, it could well decide that tripling core count is a more generous interpretation of the SE2 license than intended, and give it a tweak. [systems] If IBM responds to our request for more detail on the promised silicon we will update this story. (r) Caveat emptor Be aware that the SE2 license does not offer access to all Oracle database features. Oracle's EE license offers access to more, and more powerful, features. Which makes IBM's statement of general direction a little odd: why create a powerful CPU for a low-end database? Big Blue still has not responded to our inquiry... Get our Tech Resources # Share Similar topics * IBM Power * Oracle More like these x Similar topics * IBM Power * Oracle Narrower topics * AIX * Database * Mark Hurd * MySQL Broader topics * IBM * Larry Ellison Similar topics # Share 14 comment bubble on white COMMENTS Similar topics * IBM Power * Oracle More like these x Similar topics * IBM Power * Oracle Narrower topics * AIX * Database * Mark Hurd * MySQL Broader topics * IBM * Larry Ellison TIP US OFF Send us news --------------------------------------------------------------------- Other stories you might like Oracle clouds never go down, says Oracle's Larry Ellison That summer heatwave in Britain? 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