www.softpanorama.org: sparc_vs_x86 fun

Denis Vlasenko
2006-05-04T09:25:10Z

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