Charles Finley Jr. wrote:
>
> I agree with Jeff and would like to add several other points.
> First the cost to own and operate.  The 980 box uses an increadable
> amount of electricity for both operating and air conditioning.

The 9x0 boxes require 238v 3-phase 5-wire circuits: three phases, an
electrical neutral, and an earth ground.  They adapted well from our old
Series III classic feeds (238v 3-phase on isolation transformers).  But
it is overkill, expensive, and while there are other supplied power
options, they want a serious chunk of juice.

> Hardware
> maintenance is very expensive.  The price for memory is still high and
> the maximum memory allowed for the machine is low because
> you can only use 64Mb and 16Mb memory boards.  The machine uses
> three phase power, therefore, if you don't already have it you will need
> to get it installed.  This could cost you a bundle. Moreover, third party
> software costs could exceed the cost of the hardware if you
> purchase a 980.

Memory is cheap, but the 980 has the "updated" memory controllers which
support the 64Mb boards (950/960 don't) but this implies controller
upgrades (expensive).  Three phase AC I addressed earlier, and further if
you go for add-on SCSI CIO channels and discs/dats, you may well need a
separate UPS for the external drives (if not genuine HP drives).  And
using SCSI requires firmware upgrades on CIO adapters and HPIB firmware.

Good Luch :-)

Jeff Kell <[log in to unmask]>

> Does your friend need an unlimited user license?  What machine do they
> have now?  Once a clear picture is drawn on the real user requirements
> and the true upgrade costs, it just might be cheaper to get a 969/100!
> [log in to unmask]
> Charles Finley, Open-Ended Systems Corp
> 310-419-5903
>
> ----------
> > From: Jeff Kell <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Desperately seeking Susan (980/400 or /300 needed)
> > Date: Tuesday, January 21, 1997 6:59 PM
> >
> > James B. Byrne wrote:
> > >
> > > I have been asked to locate a HP3000/980, either 400 or 300
> > > sub-series.  Memory requirements are said to be 512Mb.  This is for a
> > > direct business to business purchase. The used equipment  brokers
> > > have already sniffed this one out and are all over my colleague which
> > > is why he has asked me to do this.
> >
> > If this is a "new" acquisition, you should really reconsider this.  Even
> > if this is an upgrade, let's take a pause here.  Let me elaborate:
> >
> > We have a 950 and 960 (same box as 955 and 980) and I always considered
> > an upgrade to the 980 as a worthwhile and trivial upgrade, especially in
> > light of the fact the 960 is an upgraded 950 (3rd party, inexpensive).
> > The 980 upgrades are inexpensive (relatively speaking) from the hardware
> > perspective, but the 980 is in a different software support tier - the
> > same one as the 99x Enterprise servers.  The software upgrade costs far
> > exceeded the hardware cost.  The 980, given the costs to enter the tier,
> > is no longer cost effective when the newer 9x9 servers give greater
> > performance on a lower tier.  And unless things have changed, the 9x0
> > machines preclude an unlimited MPE license (if I'm wrong, please tell me
> > now to save on my own support costs!).  But then again, "trading down"
> > in user licenses yields no credits.
> >
> > But the "killer" proposition here is that of the MPE license.  You
> > cannot transfer MPE licenses across physical "boxes".  I now own two
> > unlimited user licenses for MPE/iX for our machines (the only option at
> > the time we acquired them).  It cost us a considerable chunk of change
> > to acquire them (and the associated software licenses); but in the
> > upgrade I suffer considerable losses (if I downgrade to a user-limit
> > license) or considerable costs (if I perpetuate the unlimited license).
> >
> > This is a "big deal" when the MPE license fees exceed the hardware cost.
> > Especially on an upgrade, when you pay the big bucks again; the
> > trade-ins were based on hardware, not MPE license level (again, hope I'm
> > wrong and this has changed).
> >
> > Unless you already have software licenses in place, the 980 is not a
> > wise choice given you can get more bang for your buck at a lower tier
> > with newer hardware (even 9x7 or 9x8; you probably don't have a 9x9
> > within your budget).
> >
> > Food for thought, but it comes back to haunt me at times, and perhaps
> > this may solicit some other opinions/options from others in similar
> > situations.
> >
> > Jeff Kell <[log in to unmask]>