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QuickSpecs
Configuration
hard partition to that Integrity Superdome and continue the execution of the application while it is
certified.
8) Why can't PA-8700+ processors be mixed with Itanium 2 9M processors?
8) Why can't PA-8700+ processors be mixed with Itanium 2 9M processors?
8) Why can't PA-8700+ processors be mixed with Itanium 2 9M processors?
8) Why can't PA-8700+ processors be mixed with Itanium 2 9M processors?
For years, HP has had a high level of investment protection with the HP 9000 Superdome. Customers
have been provided with the maximum investment protection level by keeping their investment in PA8600
and PA8700 processors while adding the higher speed PA8700+. In addition, each processor type runs
at its rated speed so there is no downgrading of the higher speed processors (some competitors are
erroneously saying Superdome has to downgrade the higher speed processors). For example, the PA8700
runs at a full 750 MHz while the PA8600 runs at 550 MHz-there is no forcing of the PA8700 down to
550 MHz just to obtain compatibility. This is possible because the processor speeds are independent from
the bus speeds.
The Intel Itanium 2 processor family is an advanced architecture featuring exceptional floating point and
SSL performance. The Itanium 2 processors have the processing power that is consistent with a
Superdome class high-end server. In addition, the Itanium processor accesses cache memory using a
data block that is greater than twice the size of the PA8600, PA8700, and PA8700+. Thus, the Itanium
processor family and subsequent PA-8800 and PA-8900 processors require a different chipset than the
PA8600, PA8700, or PA8700+ processors. One of the key restrictions in mixing processors is that all cell
boards in a given Superdome must have the same chipset. The PA-8700+ is supported by a legacy
chipset that only supported PA-RISC processors. As a result, the PA-8700+ can only be mixed with PA-
8700 and PA-8600 processors. In order to support Itanium 2 9M processors in their current HP 9000
Superdome, the customer would be required first to upgrade all of their PA-8700+ processors to PA-
8800 or PA-8900 processors utilizing the sx1000 chipset. Once this is complete, the customer would
then have the option of adding the Itanium 2 9M processor in a separate partition because it is also
supported by the sx1000 chipset.
9) Why are Itanium 2 6M processors and mx2 dual processor modules not supported?
9) Why are Itanium 2 6M processors and mx2 dual processor modules not supported?
9) Why are Itanium 2 6M processors and mx2 dual processor modules not supported?
9) Why are Itanium 2 6M processors and mx2 dual processor modules not supported?
The original plan was to enable PA-RISC systems that shipped from the factory to add Itanium-based
partitions later on. The plan was not to allow PA-RISC-based partitions to be added to systems that
shipped from the factory as Itanium-based servers with Itanium 2 6M processors and/or mx2 dual
processor modules. This is the only case where we encounter a problem with no support for Itanium 2 6M
processors and mx2 dual processor modules. If a customer has already made the decision to go with
Integrity Superdomes, it is very unlikely that they will take a back step to PA-RISC-based partitions.
Conversely, if a customer wants to upgrade a PA-RISC-based partition to be Itanium 2-based, they are
much more likely to use the Itanium 2 9M processor than the Itanium 2 6M processors or
mx2 dual processor modules because of the added performance and larger cache sizes.
Finally, this feature requires a significant amount of resources to test the different type of configurations
supported in a Superdome. In order to provide this functionality in a timely basis to customers, we had to
narrow the scope. Thus, the decision was made to not support Itanium 2 6M processors and mx2 dual
processors in a mixed processor type of system.
If a customer with Itanium 2 6M processors or mx2 dual processor modules wants to add PA-RISC
modules, they would need to first upgrade the partitions with Itanium 2 6M processors or mx2 dual
processor modules to Itanium 2 9M processors and then they could add a PA-RISC-based partition to the
Superdome.
10) Which versions of the HP-UX 11i operating system will be supported?
10) Which versions of the HP-UX 11i operating system will be supported?
10) Which versions of the HP-UX 11i operating system will be supported?
10) Which versions of the HP-UX 11i operating system will be supported?
Currently HP plans to support HP-UX 11.11 (HP-UX 11i v1) for the PA-RISC architecture as well as 11.23
(HP-UX 11i v2) for Itanium processors and
PA-RISC processors in a mixed environment. Based on HP's testing, HP believes that using HP-UX 11.11
DA - 11717
Worldwide — Version 35 — December 6, 2006
HP Integrity Superdome Servers 16- processor, 32-
HP Integrity Superdome Servers 16- processor, 32-
HP Integrity Superdome Servers 16- processor, 32-
HP Integrity Superdome Servers 16- processor, 32-
processor, and 64- processor Systems
processor, and 64- processor Systems
processor, and 64- processor Systems
processor, and 64- processor Systems
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