New IBM Processors at NIH Computer Center Will Speed Computing

CIT has just installed two IBM 9672-RB6 processors at the NIH Computer Center. To minimize outage to ongoing work, CIT installed, configured, tested, and put these processors into service on Sundays—August 19 and 26.

Based on complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology, each machine is configured with two processors—each capable of approximately 83 million instructions per second (MIPS). Thus, each machine (with two processors) is capable of 166 MIPS, or a total of 332 MIPS.

Warning—Have You Checked Your Vendor Software ?

Information on the installation of the new processors was e-mailed in advance to users via the Web-based "Titan / South System News." However, if you haven’t already verified that software from a vendor will run on the new processors, you should do so as soon as possible.

Many vendor-supplied applications have software checks to verify licensing restrictions. These applications may check what type (model number) of CPU the application is running on and/or check actual serial numbers of the CPU.

If you are running an application purchased from a vendor, you should check with your vendor to see if the software checks CPU serial numbers or model numbers. If so, you may need to make a change to your application to ensure it will continue to run on the new processors. Since the installation, only the new serial numbers and new model numbers are used.

•	New model number is




9672-RB6




Old model number was 9672-R44.

•	The new IBM 9672-RB6 serial numbers are




	CP0=044625     CP1=144625
	CP0=044626     CP1=144626




	The old IBM 9672-R44 serial numbers were:
	CP0=044625, CP1=144625, CP2=244625, CP3=344625
	CP0=044626, CP1=144626, CP2=244626, CP3=344626

Benefits—Immediate and Long Term

Together, these new machines will provide more computing power—a doubling of processor memory and an increase in individual processor speed—with greatly reduced environmental requirements. Applications that are data intensive or do not lend themselves to multitasking will experience the most improvement in performance.

The 9672 CMOS machines occupy the same amount of floor space as the older IBM 9672-R44 machines. However, energy consumption will be reduced—both power for operating the machines and cooling capacity for dispersing the heat generated. Over the longer term, we expect that these new machines will be extremely reliable and easily upgraded, as CIT continues to meet the needs of our customers.