Does IBM continue to define a “processor” to be the processor “core”?
Yes. As in all previous announcements, IBM always has and continues to define aprocessor to be the processor core. Customers are required to acquire software licenses for all activated processor cores available for use on the server. With Processor Value Unit (PVU) licensing, customers acquire PVU licenses based on the number and type of processor cores. Different hardware vendors have different definitions of a processor. For all server brands except IBM Power Systems (formerly System i and System p), the processor count provided by the server vendor must be adjusted for the number of cores on a chip.For example, an IBM System x3550 M2 two socket server with Intel Quad-core Xeonchips, actually has eight processor cores (2 chips times 4 cores per chip). Conversely, an IBM Power System 550 with eight processors (8-way) has eight processor cores(four chips times 2 cores per chip). Often times the term “processor core” is referred to simply as a core.
