6947ch06.fm

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

￿Adapter Interruption applying to performance assist for FICON Express features (type FCP), and OSA-Express features (type OSD)

￿V=V guest support applying to performance assist for FICON Express features (type FCP), OSA-Express features (type OSD), and HiperSockets (type IQD).

See also “HCD support” on page 140 for I/O configuration support under z/VM.

ICKDSF Release 17 is required on all systems that share DASD with a z990 processor (see 6.2.7, “ICKDSF requirements” on page 141).

6.4 z/VSE and VSE/ESA software support

z/VSE and VSE/ESA support for z990 is provided on VSE/ESA V2.6, VSE/ESA V2.7, z/VSE V3.1 and later. For the latest information on support requirements, refer to the VSE subset of the 2084DEVICE Preventative Service Planning (PSP) bucket prior to installing the z990 server.

Some z/VSE and VSE/ESA supported functions are:

￿Support for up to 30 logical partitions

￿Up to four Logical Channel Subsystems

￿Spanned channel support (in VSE/ESA V2.7 and z/VSE V3.1 for HiperSockets CHPID type IQD only)

￿Adapter Interruption applying to performance assist (in VSE/ESA V2.7 and z/VSE V3.1 for OSA-Express CHPID type OSD)

￿HiperSockets support for CHPID type IQD (in VSE/ESA V2.7 and z/VSE V3.1 only)

z/VSE V3R1 is planned to have support for the Fiber Channel Protocol (FCP attached to a SCSI disk).

Important: The z/VSE operating system can execute in 31-bit mode only. It does not implement z/Architecture, and specifically does not implement 64-bit mode capabilities. The z/VSE operating system is designed to exploit select features of IBM eServer zSeries hardware.

ICKDSF Release 17 is required on all systems that share DASD with a z990 processor (see 6.2.7, “ICKDSF requirements” on page 141).

6.5 TPF software support

TPF support for z990 is provided by TPF Version 4.1, which also includes the support for up to 30 logical partitions.

ICKDSF Release 17 is required on all systems that share DASD with a z990 processor (see 6.2.7, “ICKDSF requirements” on page 141).

6.6 Linux software support

The currently available distributions SUSE SLES 7, SUSE SLES 8, Red Hat 7.1 and Red Hat RHEL 3.0, Turbolinux TLES 8, and Conectiva CLEE support compatibility and exploitation of

146IBM eServer zSeries 990 Technical Guide

Page 159 Page 161
Page 160
Image 160
IBM 990 manual Z/VSE and VSE/ESA software support, TPF software support, Linux software support
Page 159 Page 161

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.
Top Page Image Contents