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Power 7 features

Power 7 Features

MaxCore:-

1. We can select to run POWER7 in TurboCore(TM) mode to optimize for database or other transaction-oriented workloads and utilize up to 4 cores per chip with twice the cache per core and a faster speed - This saves clients on software costs for those applications that are licensed per core. If the client has workloads is more simultaneous tasks will being all run in parallel, then POWER7 can be run in MaxCore mode providing up to 8 cores and up to 32 threads per socket or chip - each capable of handling a task in parallel with the others.

Intelligent Threads:-

2. Like the two processor modes, POWER7 also features Intelligent Threads that can vary based on the workload demand. The system will either automatically select or the system administrator can manually select whether a workload benefits from dedicating as much capability as possible to a single thread of work, or if the workload benefits more from having capability spread across 2 or 4 threads of work. With more threads, POWER7 can deliver more total capacity as more tasks are accomplished in parallel. With fewer threads, those workloads that need very fast individual tasks, we can get the performance they need for maximum benefit.

Intelligent Cache:-

3. Many workloads benefit from having access to a large amount of very fast memory directly on the processor. This type of memory is known as "cache" and helps the processor cores execute tasks faster when the next piece of information required is close at hand. POWER7 processors have Intelligent Cache with the ability to maximize cache access for the processor cores running tasks that most need it. Each of the up to 8 cores on a POWER7 processor has a very fast level of cache dedicated to each processor core. There is also a larger pool of cache shared among all cores on the chip. If a task running on any specific core doesn't need all of it's portion of the larger pool of cache, other cores can utilize it as access will be intelligently assigned to where it is most needed.

Intelligent Energy:-

4. Finally, POWER7 includes Intelligent Energy features that help to dynamically optimize energy usage and performance so that the best possible balance is maintained. Intelligent Energy features like EnergyScale work with IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager to dynamically optimize processor speed based on thermal conditions and system utilization. If the system's environment is favorable, the system can speed up processor cores to a frequency up to 10% higher than the normal rated speed to better handle demanding workloads. When utilization is lighter, or if environmental conditions are less favorable, the system can slow processor cores by as much as 50% to save energy. Users can select whether Intelligent Energy Optimization favors maximizing performance or energy savings based on their needs.

AME:-

5. For workloads that require large amounts of memory, or in virtualized environments where more memory is very beneficial, clients can utilize POWER7's Active Memory Expansionto make the physical memory on the system appear to the application as if it were up to twice as large as it actually is. For systems that have their full complement of memory or of memory components, Active Memory Expansion can provide additional memory capability to applications transparently. Active Memory Expansion is a unique POWER7 capability that clients can leverage to take maximum advantage of their memory resources.

Note: About the AME there will be more defecnitions

Active system optimizer:-

6. With AIX 7 TL1 expect to see a new feature called active system optimizer, which is designed to autonomically improve workload performance (AIX 7 on POWER7 only). A new network option you can set is called tcp_fastlo, which enables TCP fast loopback.This reduces TCP/IP overhead and lowers CPU utilization if two TCP endpoints are on the same frame (e.g., communication between two processes in the same LPAR).

Gen2 PCIe:-

7. PCIe Gen2 provides for more I/O ports available per adapter. You'll now see dual port 10G Ethernet cards and 4-port 8G fibre adapters. You'll be able to push SAS data out at 6G per second vs. the current generation's 3G per second. The new 5913 Large Cache SAS adapter has 1.8 GB cache and can drive up to 72 HDD or 26 SSD, or you can mix and match the drive types with this adapter. A huge improvement with this card is that it no longer has batteries, so you won't have to worry about replacing them. If it losespower the card will use a capacitor and write to flash memory