6947ch01.fm

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

￿4-port ESCON cards

￿OSA-2 cards

￿OSA-Express ATM cards

￿Pre-FICON Express cards

￿PCICC cards

The logical partitioning facility, PR/SM, provides the ability to configure and operate as many as 30 logical partitions. PR/SM manages all the installed and enabled resources (processors, memory) of the installed books as a single large SMP. Each logical partition has access to physical resources (processors, memory, I/O) in the whole system across multiple books.

1.2 z990 models

The z990 has a machine type of 2084 and has four models: A08, B16, C24, and D32. The model naming is representative of the book design of the z990, as it indicates the number of books and the number of processor units available in the configuration. PUs are delivered in single increment, orderable by feature code. A Processor Unit (PU) can be characterized as a Central Processor (CP), Integrated Facility for Linux (IFL), Internal Coupling Facility (ICF), zSeries Application Assist Processor (zAAP) or System Assist Processor (SAP).

The development of a multi-book system provides an opportunity for customers to increase the capacity and/or requirements of the system in three areas:

￿You can add capacity by activating more CPs, IFLs, ICFs, or zAAPs on an existing book concurrently.

￿You can add a new book concurrently and activate more CPs, IFLs, ICFs, or zAAPs.

￿You can add a new book to provide additional memory and/or STIs to support increasing storage and/or I/O requirements. The ability to LICCC-enable more memory concurrently to existing books is dependent on enough physical memory being present. Upgrades requiring more memory than physically available are disruptive, requiring a planned outage.

General rules

All models utilize a 12 PU MCM, of which eight are available for PU characterization. The remaining four are reserved as two standard SAPs and two standard spares.

Model upgrades, from A08 to B16, from B16 to C24, or from C24 to D32 are achieved by single book adds.

The model number designates the maximum number of PUs available for an installation to use. Using feature codes, customers can order CPs, IFLs, ICFs, zAAPs, and optional SAPs, unassigned CPs and/or unassigned IFLs up to the maximum number of PUs for that model. Therefore, an installation may order a model B16 with 13 CP features and three IFL features, or a model B16 with only one CP feature.

Unlike prior processor model names, which indicate the number of purchased CPs, z990 model names indicate the maximum number of processor units potentially orderable, and not

the actual number that have been ordered as CPs, IFLs, ICFs, zAAPs or additional SAPs. A software model notation is also used to indicate how many CPs are purchased and software should be charged for. See “Software models” on page 63 for more information.

Model upgrade paths

With the exception of the z900 Model 100, any z900 model may be upgraded to a z990 model. With the advance of Linux for S/390 and Linux on zSeries, customers may choose to

4IBM eServer zSeries 990 Technical Guide

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IBM manual Z990 models, General rules, Model upgrade paths
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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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