IBM Mainframe Specs

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macrules34

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Mar 18, 2016
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Does anyone know if there is a website that (specifically IBM) that will show the specs as ordered on an IBM mainframe? I have the part number and serial number. The only thing I could find was if it was under warranty (which it is not).
 

BlueFox

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Oct 26, 2015
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If this is your first time dealing with a mainframe, you'll soon find out that the hardware inside doesn't matter so much as the licensing, which is complicated to say the least. Having a fully loaded unit unfortunately doesn't mean you actually get to use it.
 

macrules34

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Mar 18, 2016
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Okay thanks for the insight @BlueFox.

But would still like to know the config specs so I know what I'm dealing with in a hardware sense, so it gives me an idea of its max capacity as configured.
 

Evan

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Jan 6, 2016
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Max specs you can tell from model. Can’t imagine even running a small modern Z series at home let alone an old monster
 

macrules34

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Mar 18, 2016
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LOL, I know they are a beast, great for a heating system too!!!

It has a minimum of 26 MIPs and a minimum of 8GB of Ram. I want to know exactly what the configuration of this particular machine is.
 

BlueFox

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Without a model number, I don't think we can really help much.
 

BlueFox

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That will tell you the CPU capability, but not much else. It still really comes down to licensing. If you're asking these sorts of questions, I think you're going to be in way over your head if you wish to purchase one. They're not like commodity server hardware that you can just piece together and get up and running. I deal with them on a daily basis at work (minimal hardware experience however) and I can tell you that everything about them is a pain. They manage certain workloads better than anything else out there, but generally if you don't already have one, you really don't want one (as a business at least).
 

Evan

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Jan 6, 2016
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Yeah the only way is to ask I am afraid, the minimum spec you know but it goes way up from there to 3139 MIPS for a fully loaded system.