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PowerPC 970s in IBM's New Blades

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Apr 12, 2001
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As first reported by ThinkSecret, IBM has released information on its new PowerPC 970 / Linux based BladeCenter JS20 Servers.

The upcoming JS20 Blade servers offer a high density server option allowing up to 14 hot-swap JS20 blades within 7U of rackspace. Each blade is equipped with two 1.6GHz PowerPC 970 processors for a total of 28 PowerPC 970s in the same 7U space.

According to TheRegister the system will not be available until late Q1 of 2004 and will be priced at $2699. eWeek had reported that IBM would be using the 970 in their low-end servers and anticipated an updated 970 by mid 2004.

Apple is still expected to update their 1U server offering (Xserve) to a G5 processor.
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2003/11/12/powerpc-970s-in-ibms-new-blades/
Picture of a blade server

blade.jpg


I guess this is encouraging for Xserve G5s. (in terms of form factor)

I wouldn't read much else into this. IBM's always planned to use the 970s in their own servers.

arn
 
Looks like a Dual G5 Xserve may just be around the corner. I wonder if OSX will run on those machines??
 
Could it be that IBM's 970 blade release will coincide with Apple selling an IBM blade server version of OS X Server. When it comes to the server market, Apple seems to make a lot more money on 999 / server license than actually selling and maintaining hardware servers. I mean this as in addition to the 1U xServe G5.
 
Is there any chance that Apple and IBM would do some kind of joint server project? Hardware co-developed by IBM and Apple to run Apple's server software?

I don't know how plausible of an idea this is, but it could bring some good results...
 
Xserve

In the 'PowerMac G5 Revision in Jan 2004' discussion, I mentioned that this might be a precursor to a Apple Xserve G5.

But the more I think about it, I can't help but wonder if IBM (while cutting the 970 deal) asked Apple to back-off on the server market with these processors and that they would supply a configuration that ran OS X Server.

Pure speculation of course.
 
And may I add DANG!!! At what a price! C'mon Apple, give us them G5 Xserves... certainly it looks like it'll all fit!
 
Originally posted by base80
I think the 970 is a processor with a vector unit owned by Apple IBM and Moto. So these can not be used for a IBM branded product.
Click to expand...
That's an interesting thought. This is what IBM thinks:

"Each JS20 blade contains two PowerPC 970 processors for a total of 28 processors for each BladeCenter. Redundant components round out the system to provide the high-availability levels needed for today's enterprise server applications."

No offence, but I'll take IBM's opinion over yours in this case.

-Richard

ps: Note that your logic, as stated, would also preclude it from being used in an Apple branded product...
 
Originally posted by base80
I think the 970 is a processor with a vector unit owned by Apple IBM and Moto. So these can not be used for a IBM branded product.
Click to expand...
IBM _IS_ using PowerPC 970 in a IBM branded product, that's that this news was all about. Both IBM and Motorola have used various PowerPC-models in products of their own. IBM's server/workstation series RS/6000 (now pSeries) was powered for a long time with 601 and 604-processors (they even did a laptop running OS/2 and Windows NT!). Motorola even made a Mac clone.

And.. IBM as the 970 design up for licensing so anyone with some money can license it and manufacture it by them selves.. and probably do some modifications too. If I remember correctly all three copanies, Apple. Motorola and IBM has the complete rights to sell further licenses to whomever they chose. IBM and Motorola has done this earlier with many types PowerPC-processors. Currently Xilinx and Tundra are doing this and I expect that companies like Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Boeing et al are doing it too.. doing specially designed embedded PowerPCs for militairy purposes with modifications like extreme temperature durability and radiation hardening.
PowerPC is _really_ large in this market.

And.. IBM and Apple doesn't play on the same market for products like this. I can't see any agreement between them dividing markets. I suspect that the discussions when doing the 970 design went in the quite opposite direction: How can we best take a real bite out of the x86-market?

Apple will release Xserve G5 when is passes quality control (can't be to long now).
 
I doubt it because if it'll run Linux I doubt it wouldn't run OSX. If not someone will make a hack for it. Does anyone know what the contract between Apple and IBM is? and to what extent could hardware be used by both companies? I don't think anyone knows except IBM and Apple. I have feeling both IBM and Apple want to take a big bite out of the MS market.

If Apple allows OSX server to be used on IBM's blade server then I could see IBM going for different server markets and Apple going for slightly different server maket. If this is successful I could see a IBM workstation using OSX.

I'm just thinking out loud but it does seem like both would benifit from this type of relationship. IBM sells cheaper server with Apple OS support. Apple gets increased sales of it's OS and other apps/ a bigger presence to public and IT.
Hell what says the next Xserve is nothing more then Apple case and OS and IBM internals?
 
>base80

The PPC970 is the Power4 spinoff. And IBM has been saying they will be using the processor in servers in the future.

With a very strong possibility of the chips replacing the 604e/Power3 used in the workstation line.

The only question of using a spinoff of the PPC970 in the Xbox would be one of unit cost -- while the PPC750s and cell processors were aimed at low cost systems.
 
Originally posted by szark
The visual tour accessible from this page gives a very good look at the architecture of the BladeCenter.
Click to expand...
I noticed that they make a point of noting that every one of these has a 48x CD drive and a -- you guessed it! -- 1.44MB floppy drive! "The floppy is dead! Long live the floppy!" Now, I can imagine that a floppy might be useful ... but I can't figure out how ...:confused:
 
Originally posted by ITR 81
Hell what says the next Xserve is nothing more then Apple case and OS and IBM internals?
Click to expand...

Although, IBM currently states that the blades will only ship with Linux, I am sure someone will adjust Darwin's hardware support layer in short order.
 
Re: PowerPC 970s in IBM's New Blades

Originally posted by Macrumors
The upcoming JS20 Blade servers offer a high density server option allowing up to 14 hot-swap JS20 blades within 7U of rackspace. Each blade is equipped with two 1.6GHz PowerPC 970 processors for a total of 28 PowerPC 970s in the same 7U space.
Click to expand...
I assume Apple is working on dual processor G5 xServes. Since Apple is 1U. In a 7U form factor Apple can get 14 processors.
But IBM can get double or 28.
There must be some other differences. :confused:
 
Anyone notice that IBM crippled the main feature of the Apple G5:

8 GB of Dual Channel DDR400

And I quote:

"The JS20 blade blades contain four DIMM sockets. A maximum of 4 GB of system memory is supported by adding a 1GB PC2700 CL2.5 ECC DDR SDRAM DIMM in each of the 4 DIMM sockets. All supported system memory is addressable through direct memory access. The JS20 blade supports currently available 256MB, 512MB, and 1GB DIMM base system memory and options. Supported DIMMs can coexist in the same server; however, memory DIMMs of the same capacity must be installed 3 in matched pairs."
 
What is cooking..

I have always wondered if IBM would allow Apple to use PowerPC 'without' restrictions (or without a counter offering). IBM and Apple are still competitors but they share the same enemy....
 
This sounds like fun.
I have to admit, I've never heard of Blade Servers, but now I have, so once again Mac Rumors has enlightened me.

Maybe G5 Xserves at MacWorld San Francisco? It's at least probable.

Remember, historically, the current model Xserve is ready for an update. :D
 
Originally posted by G5orbust
Anyone notice that IBM crippled the main feature of the Apple G5:

8 GB of Dual Channel DDR400

And I quote:

"The JS20 blade blades contain four DIMM sockets. A maximum of 4 GB of system memory is supported by adding a 1GB PC2700 CL2.5 ECC DDR SDRAM DIMM in each of the 4 DIMM sockets. All supported system memory is addressable through direct memory access. The JS20 blade supports currently available 256MB, 512MB, and 1GB DIMM base system memory and options. Supported DIMMs can coexist in the same server; however, memory DIMMs of the same capacity must be installed 3 in matched pairs."
Click to expand...



Actually, the 1.6ghz G5 also doesn't have 8gb RAM, so it's not crippled. I think the G5 spec is also 4gb.
 
Originally posted by junior
Actually, the 1.6ghz G5 also doesn't have 8gb RAM, so it's not crippled. I think the G5 spec is also 4gb.
Click to expand...

Touché.

You are exactly correct. DDR333, 4GB max...its all there. But, I believe that the 1.6 still could have 400MHz dual channel, but it was just chosen not to be. The architechture and bus sure support it, but i guess IBM and Apple have different plans for the chip.
 
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