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What to do with a IBM z890 mainframe.

hadlowj
By hadlowj
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Something a bit different. I have found an IBM z890 mainframe that came out of a bank when it was taken over by a bigger bank which then integrated with its own system. It weighs 750kg and the new bank was just going to scrap it so it was a bargain. The question is what to do with it. First thing is it looks cool as hell so even if it just sat in the corner of the unit it would be cool but it is working and I love to tinker especially with something I don’t know much about. One thing they said it could do was run LINIX and be used as a web server but what else could a system like this do?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.  

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Something a bit different. I have found an IBM z890 mainframe that came out of a bank when it was taken over by a bigger bank which then integrated with its own system. It weighs 750kg and the new bank was just going to scrap it so it was a bargain. The question is what to do with it. First thing is it looks cool as hell so even if it just sat in the corner of the unit it would be cool but it is working and I love to tinker especially with something I don’t know much about. One thing they said it could do was run LINIX and be used as a web server but what else could a system like this do?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

How big is it exactly?

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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How big is it exactly?

Server Rack size. like a 42U rack. 

 

Pretty decent machine for free. I'd say just recycle it though. It's not going to be of much use to you. Go to a scrap yard though and scrap it, you'll make a nice amount from it. 

Please quote/tag ( Found by typing @DarrenP) In all posts directed at me. I do not check my current content. 


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78cm wide, 1.57m deep and 1.94m high (2'6 x 5'2 x 6'4) so not small.

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What kind of hardware does it have in it? 

My Current Build: 

Intel i5 3570K @ 4.4GHz 1.11V, Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, Asrock Z77 Extreme4, Corsair Vengeance 8GB 1600MHz, Samsung 840 EVO 250GB, Asus GTX 760 DCII Overclocked, Corsair CX600M

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What kind of hardware does it have in it? 

http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/printableversion.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_sm/1/897/ENUS2086-_h01/index.html

Please quote/tag ( Found by typing @DarrenP) In all posts directed at me. I do not check my current content. 


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Shit these things cost a lot of money... You got this for free... From a bank?!?!

 

http://www.tech-news.com/publib/pl2086.html

Please quote/tag ( Found by typing @DarrenP) In all posts directed at me. I do not check my current content. 


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I really can't make heads or tails of that page :P Any definite specs on this mainframe?

My Current Build: 

Intel i5 3570K @ 4.4GHz 1.11V, Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, Asrock Z77 Extreme4, Corsair Vengeance 8GB 1600MHz, Samsung 840 EVO 250GB, Asus GTX 760 DCII Overclocked, Corsair CX600M

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I really can't make heads or tails of that page :P Any definite specs on this mainframe?

Basically max 32GB of RAM, up to 4 CPU's on certain models. Basics. It's not going to be of a lot of use to OP. Unless he wants to run a bank from his basement. 

Please quote/tag ( Found by typing @DarrenP) In all posts directed at me. I do not check my current content. 


Intel Core i7-4790K - Gigabyte Z97X-UD5H-BK - 16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro 1866Mhz - EVGA GTX 980 - 256GB MX100 - 2TB WD RED - 900D - H100I - Corsair HX1050 - DNS 320L 2x2TB Seagate Barracuda 

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Not sure yet,  it was one of those it looks awesome, how much, take my money moments. Hope to have it at the unit this week where I will be able to get into it. As it ran a quite large national bank's UK network I am guessing it will be well equipped. 

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Not sure yet,  it was one of those it looks awesome, how much, take my money moments. Hope to have it at the unit this week where I will be able to get into it. As it ran a quite large national bank's UK network I am guessing it will be well equipped. 

If i may ask, how much money did you spend?

Please quote/tag ( Found by typing @DarrenP) In all posts directed at me. I do not check my current content. 


Intel Core i7-4790K - Gigabyte Z97X-UD5H-BK - 16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro 1866Mhz - EVGA GTX 980 - 256GB MX100 - 2TB WD RED - 900D - H100I - Corsair HX1050 - DNS 320L 2x2TB Seagate Barracuda 

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If it was me I would put a distro of Linux on it and make a game server possibly and possibly rent out the game server.

My Current Build: 

Intel i5 3570K @ 4.4GHz 1.11V, Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, Asrock Z77 Extreme4, Corsair Vengeance 8GB 1600MHz, Samsung 840 EVO 250GB, Asus GTX 760 DCII Overclocked, Corsair CX600M

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Take everything out of it and make a mini room/closet

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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Without a storage subsystem (got any 3990's laying around?) and communications capability (FEP?) not to mention an OS (MVS anyone?) probably not a lot of use for you personally. 

 

I would try to find someone who deals in leasing refurbished enterprise grade equipment and sell it to them. You might make a nice tidy sum!

 

Here are few from a quick Google search:

 

www.insightsystemsonline.com

www.arrowvaluerecovery.com

www.epcusa.com/computer-sales

 

Good luck!

The computer isn't the "Thing".....the computer is the "Thing" that gets you to the "Thing".  - excerpt from "Halt and Catch Fire".

 

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sure, as soon as it gets here I will take some photos and post them up, it does come with an OS installed.

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sure, as soon as it gets here I will take some photos and post them up, it does come with an OS installed.

Good and what OS does it come with?

My Current Build: 

Intel i5 3570K @ 4.4GHz 1.11V, Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, Asrock Z77 Extreme4, Corsair Vengeance 8GB 1600MHz, Samsung 840 EVO 250GB, Asus GTX 760 DCII Overclocked, Corsair CX600M

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