I'm running DB2 on an 8 way XSeries 455 (this is an Itanium based
system) running Red Hat Linux. The first question I have is if there
are any other poor schmucks in the whole world running this kind of
configuration?

This thing has just been a total disaster. We've had multiple hardware
failures and IBM can't get parts anywhere in this country (the last set
was shipped in from Canada). We've had the server spontaneously reboot,
without a trace of any failure in message logs or in DB2's logs. From
our standpoint, it looks like an orderly shutdown, as if a shutdown
command had been issued.

We've had multiple DB2 problems. The current problem is that DB2 seems
to hang periodically. I've had this problem recur twice in the last 48
hours. I've got IBM support involved on this and they've tracked it
down to some sort of "latching" issue. They've suggested that I turn
off INTRA_PARALLEL on the box as a workaround, I'm just afraid that with
some of the complex queries we run, this would take the system's
response time down to an intolerable level.

We also have an outstanding issue where thousands of "floating point
assist" errors are being issued in our system messages log per day from
DB2. This is an issue that we've had DB2 support working on for about a
month now without a fix. I have to believe that this is adversely
affecting performance which has not been stellar to begin with.

So, if there are any poor souls out there running this type of
configuration, can you tell me if you have had similar problems? Does
anyone have any pointers on how to mitigate the DB2 issues I've had?

Having said all that, for the longer term (and maybe even for the
shorter term), we're considering jumping ship. Given that we want to
stick with DB2 and Linux/Unix of some flavor, can anyone offer
suggestions for the must reliable/stable/trouble free/high
performing/reasonably priced platform on which to run DB2? Also, how
would the performance of said platform compare with an Itanium 8 way?
If for example we were to decide AIX on p-Series, would a 4-way P5
provide similar performance to our 8 way Itanium?

Any input that can be offered would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Greig Wise
DBA on the verge of insanity


P.S. I've just been notified that our "standby" server (another 8 way X
455) has broken down again (for about the fourth time this month) and we
can't get parts until tomorrow.

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