Re: Is a RISC chip more expensive?

Quadibloc wrote:
Stephen Fuld wrote:
Quadibloc wrote:

I read a recent news item to the effect that Univac has abandoned
making custom CPU chips for *both* the 1100 descendants and the A-
Series descendants, and are now using an emulation layer on x86 for
*all* new computer designs.
Can you point me to a source for that? As an old Univac systems
programmer, I would really like to see what they are doing. Thanks.

Here's one:

Thanks, John. But I don't think these mean what you think they mean. see below.



http://www.unispheremag.com/5_minute_archives/7-06.html

Not only does it use "Intel Xeon and Itanium processor technologies",
and run "Unisys's own OS2200 and MCP", but the article does state
"This next-generation architecture will also serve as the basis for
all Unisys enterprise servers"

Also,

http://m-net.net.nz/1653/databases/news/unisys-unveils-next-gen-common-architecture-mainframes.php

For some time, Unisys has offered systems composed of multiple processor types. They consist of one or more Intel Xeon processors and one or more of their own proprietary CPUs. These all share the same memory that is statically partitioned between them. There is a high speed link between the proprietary CPUs and the Xeons to allow fast communication between them. The idea is to allow the customer to maintain its investment in the applications programs, database technology, etc. from the proprietary systems and "marry" them to the much better presentation tools, and front end logic offered on the Xeon systems. For example, you could run a web server on the Xeon that got its data from a database residing on the proprietary system.

I believe the systems that these references talk about are the next generation of that type of system. A few quotations to bolster my position.


From the first one

The new Dorado and Libra models permit Intel and *CMOS processors* to co-exist in a dynamically provisioned environment. They also feature partitioning capabilities for balancing application workloads across different environments.

(Added emphasis mine)

The use of the term CMOS is "Unisys speak" for their proprietary processors (1100 series and A- series) that made the transition from bi polar to CMOS some years ago.


And from the second one


These releases provide support for ClearPath systems using Intel or *proprietary processor technology* and both operating environments provide full compatibility for applications written on earlier ClearPath systems based on *CMOS processors*.

(Again, emphasis is mine). It is clearer here. They are providing both Intel and their proprietary processors within the same system (different partitions).


--
- Stephen Fuld
(e-mail address disguised to prevent spam)
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Processor Clarification
    ... > dual Black Xeon 3.4Ghz CPUs. ... Let's forget about Intel prosessors immidiedly... ... AMD prosessor can handle video editing also really good. ...
    (alt.linux)
  • [PATCH x86 for review II] [22/39] x86_64: Kconfig typos
    ... Optimize for Intel Pentium 4 and older Nocona/Dempsey Xeon CPUs ... Optimize for Intel Core2 and newer Xeons ...
    (Linux-Kernel)
  • Re: really simple question
    ... The speed some CPUs are described as 2x something, ... what is the difference between an intel dual core and a Xeon ... and Core2Duo are TM of Intel) ... Intel Xeon can be dual core too, but basically the Xeon series is optimized ...
    (alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt)
  • Double the Power
    ... makers Intel and Advanced Micro Devices entering 2006. ... But despite the dual-core religion, ... Ever-faster CPUs were running so hot that they made ... performance at lower clock rates than their single-core counterparts. ...
    (comp.dcom.telecom)
  • Re: AMD offers no motherboard: why?
    ... How much money does Intel make selling chipsets? ... get back into the chipset business. ... With CPUs being pretty much passe (pretty soon I'll be making them too in my ... days of GUI terminals and the imminent maturing of virtualization technology. ...
    (comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.chips)