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Draft Document for Review April 7, 2004 6:15 pm

The z990 servers can be configured in numerous ways to offer outstanding flexibility in deployment of e-business on demand™ solutions. Each z990 server can operate independently, or as part of a Parallel Sysplex cluster of servers. In addition to z/OS, the z990 can host tens to hundreds of Linux images running identical or different applications in parallel, based on z/VM® virtualization technology.

The z990 supports a high scalable standard of performance and integration by expanding on the balanced system approach of the IBM z/Architecture. It is designed to eliminate bottlenecks through its virtually unlimited 64-bit addressing capability, providing plenty of “headroom” for unpredictable growth in enterprise applications.

The z990 provides a significant increase in system scalability and opportunity for server consolidation by providing a “multi-book” system structure that supports configurations of one to four books. Each book consists of 12 Processor Units (PUs) and associated memory, for a maximum of 48 processors in a four-book system. All books are interconnected with a very high-speed internal communications links via the L2 cache, which allows the system to be operated and controlled by the PR/SM™ fac ility as a symmetrical, memory-coherent multiprocessor. The logical partitioning facility provides the ability to configure and operate as many as 30 logical partitions, which have processors, memory, and I/O resources assigned from any of the installed books.

The chart in Figure 1-1shows growth improvements along all axes. While some of the previous generation of servers have grown more along one axis for a given family, later families focus on the other axes. Now, with the z990, the balanced design achieves improvement equally along all 4 axes.

 

 

System I/O Bandwidth

 

 

 

 

96 GB/sec

 

 

 

 

24 GB/sec

 

 

256 GB

64GB

 

1.3ns

0.83ns

Memory

 

 

 

Cycle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time

 

 

16-way

zSeries z9XX

 

 

zSeries z900

 

 

 

 

 

 

Generation 6

 

 

 

Generation 5

 

 

32-way

Generation 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPUs

 

 

External I/O or STI bandwidth only (Internal Coupling Channels and HiperSockets not included)

zSeries MCM internal bandwidth is 500 GB/sec. Memory bandwidth not included (not a system constraint) .

Figure 1-1 Balanced system design

2IBM eServer zSeries 990 Technical Guide

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IBM 990 manual Balanced system design
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990 specifications

The IBM 990 series, often referred to in the context of IBM's pioneering efforts in the realm of mainframe computing, represents a unique chapter in the history of information technology. Introduced in the late 1960s, the IBM 990 series was designed as a powerful tool for enterprise-level data processing and scientific calculations, showcasing the company's commitment to advancing computing capabilities.

One of the main features of the IBM 990 was its architecture, which was built to support a wide range of applications, from business processing to complex scientific computations. The system employed a 32-bit word length, which was advanced for its time, allowing for more flexible and efficient data handling. CPUs in the IBM 990 series supported multiple instructions per cycle, which contributed significantly to the overall efficiency and processing power of the machines.

The technology behind the IBM 990 was also notable for its use of solid-state technology. This provided a shift away from vacuum tube systems that were prevalent in earlier computing systems, enhancing the reliability and longevity of the hardware. The IBM 990 series utilized core memory, which was faster and more reliable than the magnetic drum memory systems that had been standard up to that point.

Another defining characteristic of the IBM 990 was its extensibility. Organizations could configure the machine to suit their specific needs by adding memory, storage, and peripheral devices as required. This modular approach facilitated the growth of systems alongside the technological and operational demands of the business environments they served.

In terms of software, the IBM 990 series was compatible with a variety of operating systems and programming environments, including FORTRAN and COBOL, enabling users to access a broader array of applications. This versatility was a significant advantage, making the IBM 990 an appealing choice for educational institutions, research facilities, and enterprises alike.

Moreover, the IBM 990 was engineered to support multiprocessing, which allowed multiple processes to run simultaneously, further increasing its effectiveness in tackling complex computing tasks.

In summary, the IBM 990 series represents a significant advancement in computing technology during the late 20th century. With a robust architecture, versatile configuration options, and a focus on solid-state technology, the IBM 990 facilitated substantial improvements in data processing capabilities, making it a cornerstone for many businesses and academic institutions of its time. Its impact can still be seen today in the continued evolution of mainframe computing.
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