Creating an estimate for IBM Power Virtual Server resources
Before you deploy a Power Virtual Server with cloud resources such as virtual server instances, storage volumes, shared processor pools, virtual tape libraries, or dedicated hosts, it is important that you create an estimate to understand the associated costs. You can use the cost estimator tool to estimate the cost of the IBM® Power® Virtual Server resources before you deploy them in an IBM data center or in a client location.
With the cost estimator tool, you can customize the resource quantities based on your business requirement and view the estimated cost. You can use the cost estimator tool for:
Creating and viewing an estimation of Power Virtual Server resources
You can create an estimate by specifying the parameters for your Power Virtual Server resources and by specifying a projected growth rate. Based on your selection, you can view the estimated cost of your Power Virtual Server resources in an IBM data center or in a client location. You can connect with your IBM Business Partner or contact IBM to place your order.
You are not charged for creating an estimate. The resources that you estimate can be deployed only after a workspace is created.
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Log in to the IBM Cloud catalog with your IBM credentials.
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Search for Power Virtual Server in the search box for IBM Cloud catalog.
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Click Power Virtual Server tile.
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Click Estimate Cost to create an estimated cost summary. An estimate is the approximate cost of the resources that you want to use in your workspace. You are redirected to the Estimate cost page for Power Virtual Server.
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Select the location type from the Location type list as IBM data center or Client location.
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Select an IBM Cloud region from the Location list. For IBM Power Virtual Server Private Cloud, select an IBM Cloud region that is near to your physical location or data center where the pod will reside.
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In the Summary panel, click Add to estimate to review the configuration.
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From the Add product to estimate list, select Create new estimate. Create new estimate panel is displayed.
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Enter a name for the estimate in the Name field.
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Optional: Enter a description for the estimate in the Description (optional) field.
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Click Create. You are redirected to the Estimate panel.
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Click Save.
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Click View estimate to open the estimate in a new tab. You can use the Action menu to export the estimate in XLSX, CSV, or PDF format.
Estimating Power Virtual Server resources in an IBM data center
You can create an estimate for Power Virtual Server resources in an IBM data center where the infrastructure is hosted and managed by IBM.
If you select the Location type as IBM data center, you can select one of the resources that are listed in the Estimate resource section. Refer to the following information to understand the fields that you are presented and their corresponding configurations:
- Estimating a virtual server instance
- Estimating a Power Virtual Server instance with an IBM i software tier
- Estimating SAP workloads
- Estimating a storage volume
- Estimating a shared processor pool
- Estimating a virtual tape library
- Estimating a dedicated host
The summary of the selected infrastructure is displayed in the Summary panel. You can review the total estimated cost per hour and per month that is displayed in the Summary panel. To add, save, and download the estimate, see Adding, saving, and viewing an estimate.
Estimating a virtual server instance
The following table explains the fields that you can use to create an estimate for a virtual server instance in a Power Virtual Server workspace:
| Field | Action |
|---|---|
| Number of virtual servers | Specify the number of virtual server instances that you want to estimate in a Power Virtual Server workspace. |
| Operating system | Select an operating system from the list that meets your workload requirements. |
| Configure for Epic workloads (AIX) | Select this checkbox if you want to deploy epic workloads on E980, E1080, or E1180 Power systems with Tier 1 storage and dedicated cores, at a shared-capped price. When you select this indicator, the other dependent fields are automatically filled. To learn more about epic workloads, see Configuring a VM for Epic workloads. |
| Add to a shared processor pool | Select this checkbox if you want to use shared processor pool. A shared processor pool is a pool of processor capacity that is shared between a group of virtual server instances (VM). |
| Machine type | Select the required Power system from the list. |
| Core type | Select the core type. The available options are: Shared uncapped: Shared among other clients. Shared capped: Shared, but resources do not expand beyond those that are requested (used mostly for licensing). Dedicated: Resources are allocated for a specific client (used for specific third-party considerations). |
| Cores | Specify the number of cores that you need. The minimum cores that you can specify is 0.25 for shared capped and shared uncapped core types. For dedicated core type, the minimum cores that you can specify is 1. |
| Memory (GiB) | Specify the memory size. The minimum memory size that you can specify is 2 GiB. |
| Storage tiers | Each estimated virtual server instance must have an associated boot volume. Total boot volume storage is multiplied by the number of estimated instances. You can choose from Tier 0, Tier 1, Tier 3, or Fixed IOPs. You cannot add a separate boot volume estimation. Hence, you must define the storage volume value by considering the boot volumes and data volume that you might need. |
You can perform the following actions based on the type of OS:
- IBM i: Assign an IBM i software tier to your instance to restrict the number of CPUs and the amount of memory that can be assigned to the instance. For more information, see Estimating an IBM i workloads with IBM i software tier.
- Linux for SAP (HANA): Select an SAP certified profile. For more information, see Estimating SAP workloads.
Estimating a Power Virtual Server instance with an IBM i software tier
A virtual software tier limits the size of the virtual machines (VMs) for a particular pricing tier, but the tiers can run on any system. The IBM i software tier is used for the software pricing of operating system (OS) and IBM i licensed program products (LPP). When you assign an IBM i software tier to an instance, the number of CPUs and the amount of memory that can be assigned to the instance is restricted by the IBM i software tier. For more information, see Assigning an IBM i software tier to an IBM i Power Virtual Server instance.
You can create an estimate of the Power Virtual Server instance with an IBM i software tier before you deploy the instance. To assign an IBM i software tier to an IBM i Power Virtual Server instance, meet the following prerequisites:
- IBM i image version is 7.3 or later
- VSN is assigned to the instance
- Machine type is IBM Power10 or later
The following table explains the fields that you can use to create a Power Virtual Server instance with an IBM i software tier:
| Field | Action |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Select IBM i from the Operating system list. |
| Version | Select the required IBM i version 7.3 or later from the Version list. |
| Virtual serial number (VSN) | Set Virtual serial number (VSN) to Assigned to assign a VSN to the instance. |
| IBM i Licenses | Select the appropriate IBM i licenses. The available options are: – IBM i Cloud Storage Solution – IBM i Power HA – Rational Dev Studio for IBM i |
| Machine type | Select an IBM Power10 or later Power system from the list. |
| Cores | Specify the number of cores that you need. The minimum cores that you can specify is 0.25 for shared capped and shared uncapped core types. For dedicated core type, the minimum cores that you can select is 1. |
| Memory (GiB) | Specify the memory size. The minimum memory size that you can specify is 2 GiB. |
| Virtual serial number (VSN) | Select an option to assign VSN from the virtual serial number (VSN) pane. Select Auto-assign for the system to assign a VSN. Select Select from retained VSNs to assign a VSN from the list of retained VSNs. |
| IBM i software tier | Based on the machine type, a list of supported IBM i software tiers is displayed. A text message with the recommended IBM i software tier is displayed after the IBM i software tier field based on the number of cores and memory size you select. You can select the recommended IBM i software tier from the IBM i software tier list or other options from the list. |
Estimating SAP workloads
The following table explains the fields that you can use to create an estimate for a Power Virtual Server instance with SAP workloads:
| Field | Action |
|---|---|
| Operating system |
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| Linux image type | Select the required Linux image type. Available options are SUSE and Red Hat Enterprise. |
| Machine type |
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| Advance Configuration | Set SAP RISE deployment to on to estimate the cost of a Power Virtual Server instance with an SAP certified profile - Standard RISE or Application Server. |
| Profile | Select an SAP HANA, a Standard RISE, or an Application Server profile. |
The SAP certified profiles are available with IBM Power10 or later servers.
To learn more on how to create an instance, see Configuring a Power Virtual Server instance.
Estimating a storage volume
The following table explains the fields that you can use to create an estimate for a storage volume in a Power Virtual Server workspace:
| Field | Action |
|---|---|
| Number of volumes | Specify the number of volumes that you need. The minimum number of volumes that you can specify is 1. |
| Tier | Select Tier 0, Tier 1, Tier 3, or Fixed IOPs from the Tier list. |
| Total storage (GB) | Specify the total storage. The minimum total storage that you can specify is 1 GB. |
Estimating a shared processor pool
The following table explains the fields that you can use to create an estimate for a shared processor pool in a Power Virtual Server workspace:
| Field | Action |
|---|---|
| Number of pools | Specify the number of pools that you need. The minimum number of pools that you can specify is 1. |
| Machine type | Select the required Power system from the list. |
| Reserved cores | Specify the number of cores that you want to reserve. |
To learn more about a shared processor pool, see Managing a shared processor pool.
Estimating a virtual tape library
The following table explains the fields that you can use to create an estimate for a virtual tape library (VTL) in a Power Virtual Server workspace:
| Field | Action |
|---|---|
| Number of VTLs | Specify the number of virtual tape library instances that you need. The minimum number of VTL that you can specify is 1. |
| Licensed repository capacity (TB) | Specify the size of your repository capacity that determines which software license is needed. The minimum licensed repository capacity that you can specify is 1 TB. |
| Machine type | Select the required Power system from the list. |
| Core type | Select the core type. The available options are: Shared uncapped: Shared among other clients. Shared capped: Shared, but resources do not expand beyond those that are requested (used mostly for licensing). Dedicated: Resources are allocated for a specific client (used for specific third-party considerations). |
| Cores | Specify the number of cores that you need. The minimum cores that you can specify is 0.25 for shared capped and shared uncapped core types. For dedicated core type, the minimum cores that you can select is 1. |
| Memory (GB) | Specify the memory size. The minimum memory size that you can specify is 2 GiB. |
| Storage tiers | Optional. You can click Add volume + to attach storage volumes to your estimate. You can choose from Tier 0, Tier 1, Tier 3, or Fixed IOPs. You cannot add a separate boot volume estimation. Hence, enter the storage volume by considering the boot volumes and data volume that you might need. |
To learn more about virtual tape libraries, see Managing a virtual tape library.
Estimating a dedicated host
The following table explains the fields that you can use to create an estimate for a dedicated host in a Power Virtual Server workspace:
| Field | Action |
|---|---|
| Number of dedicated hosts | Specify the number of dedicated hosts that you want to reserve. |
| Machine type | From the list of available systems, select the Power system that you want to use as a dedicated host. |
To learn more about dedicated host, see Getting started with dedicated host.
Estimating Power Virtual Server resources in a client location
You can create an estimate for Power Virtual Server resources in a client location where the physical infrastructure, including the IBM Power servers, are deployed and resides in the client's own data center, rather than in IBM's data centers.
If you select the Location type as Client location, complete the following steps:
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Specify the infrastructure requirements that include the machine type, number of systems, and storage capacity for your data center in the Infrastructure configuration section. The Infrastructure overview section displays the summary of the selected configuration. The pod size depends on the number of systems that you select including the total memory and the total number of cores that you plan to use in your data center.
Currently, IBM Power S1122 (2U), IBM Power E1150 (4U), and IBM Power E1180 (12U) servers are supported by specific memory. Each server type is shipped with a fixed number of cores.
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From the Committed monthly spend section, select the number of years from the Contract commitment term list. The Committed monthly spend value indicates the minimum monthly cost for your Power Virtual Server pod.
A longer contract commitment term reduces the minimum committed spend value. You can contact IBM to learn more about the possible savings with the commitment plans. Metered cost is determined based on the consumption and it is charged only when the consumption rate is greater than the minimum committed spend value.
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Click Model consumption to set the predicted consumption of the infrastructure configuration resources that you plan to use during the contract commitment term that you choose in the previous step. You can specify the predicted memory and core usage for each of the server types. You can also set the predicted storage capacity that you plan to use. After you set the predicted usage and reviewed the estimated metered (billing) cost, close the Model metered consumption window.
The summary of estimated costs for the contract commitment years is displayed in the Summary panel based on your selection of predicted infrastructure resource usage. Metered consumption cost is only charged if the actual metered cost is greater than the Minimum committed spend value.
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Review the estimated cost in the Summary panel on the right side of the page. The estimated minimum cost includes the Minimum committed spend value and the billing charges, if any.
The actual cost might increase based on your consumption rates.
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Click Add to estimate to create an estimate and export your configuration estimate. For instructions about creating an estimate, see Creating an estimate.
Adding, saving, and viewing an estimate
When you create the estimate, you can create and export the configuration estimate by completing the following steps:
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Click Add to estimate in the Summary panel of the Estimate Cost page. The Estimate panel is displayed.
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To add the cost information to an existing estimate, select an estimate from the Add product to estimate list. Alternatively, to create a new estimate, you can click Create a new estimate > specify a name and an optional description for the estimate > Click Create.
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In the Estimate window, click Save to save the product to the selected or created estimate.
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Click View estimate to view an estimate of your Power Virtual Server configuration.
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Click Download to export the saved estimate as an XLSX, a CSV, or a PDF file.
Contacting IBM to place an order
Share the downloaded estimate with your IBM Business Partner to start the ordering process. Initiate the discussion to plan for your infrastructure configuration, data center requirements, to learn about possible savings plans, or to place your order.
If you do not work with an IBM Business Partner, contact IBM through email or the contact number that is specified on the window.
Before you place the order for IBM Power Virtual Server Private Cloud, verify that the basic criteria to own a pod is met. For more information, see Prerequisites for installing the pod.