IBM zEnterprise plus zBX plus URM -- defragging system management
Regarding, "The downside of multiple generations of systems is that each tends to come with its own set of management tools and practices. Research we have carried out recently (soon to be published) suggests the phenomenon of fragmented management – that is, if each system requires separate management capabilities, the resulting overheads in terms of staffing outweigh the in-principle benefits of having such management tools in place in the first place."
...IBM's zEnterprise system with zBX (zEnterprise BladeCenter Extension) links traditional mainframe architecture with POWER7 and x86 blades, all centrally managed by the Unified Resource Manager. Announced July 22 so real-world experience with it should trickle in soon. For IBM's view, see
http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/z/news/announcement/20100722_annc.html
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/IBM_zEnterprise_System#Unified_Resource_Manager
or consult your favorite source of information.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
