www.softpanorama.org: sparc_vs_x86 fun

[Denis Vlasenko <vda@ilport.com.ua>]

http://www.softpanorama.org/Articles/Linux_vs_Solaris/sparc_vs_x86.shtml

>...
>Linux is essentially an OS that flourishes only on Intel. It never achieved
>any significant success on RISC architecture although IBM now is trying to
>change this situation pushing Linux on PowerPC and potentially cannibalizing
>its own AIX sales (at least on low level servers).  Actually running several
>competing with each other hardware and software offerings is nothing new for 
>IBM.

>Solaris is heterogeneous OS that (unlike Linux) can perform well on two 
>architectures: UltraSparc and Intel. Actually Linux used to be more
>heterogeneous in the past when it supported Alpha. But those days are long
>gone.
>...

Marketspeak, I suppose

>5.1.  UltraSparc is an expensive but pretty cool CPU :-)
>...
>* Energy efficiency: it consumes less energy then either Intel or Opteron
>  and much less then PoewerPC CPUs.

I never heard about "then PoewerPC CPUs", must be something new. :)

>* Fault tolerance. Sun servers can do amazing things with fauly components.
>  almost any of them can be switched off. Even low level Sun server like V240
>  can survive bam memory chips, onle falty CPU and one burned power supply.
>  In some somce it is an cheap cluster.
>* Cleaner architecture. Being big Endean CPU with RISC instruction set
>  provides some complier level advantages in comparison with convoluted
>  instruction set of X86 line.   

"fauly" components? "bam" memory chips? "onle falty" CPU? "somce"?
"complier" level advantages??

That's serious advantage, we definitely don't have those.
I don't even know what those things are... ;)
--
vda