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

lost elsewhere in the enterprise. CBU adds Central Processors (CPs) to the available pool of processors and is activated only in an emergency.

GDPS-CBU management automates the process of dynamically adding reserved Central Processors, thereby minimizing manual customer intervention and the potential for errors. The outage time for critical workloads can be reduced from hours to minutes.

Concurrent activation of Capacity Backup (CBU) can be performed in parallel across multiple servers which results in an improved RTO. This applies to both the GDPS/PPRC and GDPS/XRC configurations.

Similarly, GDPS-CBU management can also automate the process of dynamically returning the reserved CPs when the temporary period has expired.

7.5 Intelligent Resource Director

Intelligent Resource Director (IRD) is a new capability only available on zSeries, running z/OS. IRD is a function that optimizes processor CPU and channel resource utilization across logical partitions within a single zSeries.

IRD overview

The Intelligent Resource Director (IRD) is a new feature introduced in z/OS, extending the concept of goal-oriented resource management by allowing you to group system images that are resident on the same zSeries server running in LPAR mode, and in the same Parallel Sysplex, into an “LPAR cluster.” This gives Workload Management the ability to manage resources, both processor and I/O, not just in one single image but across the entire cluster of system images.

Figure 7-12 on page 176 shows an LPAR cluster. It contains three z/OS images, and one Linux image managed by the cluster. Note that included as part of the entire Parallel Sysplex is an OS/390 image, as well as a Coupling Facility image. In this example the scope that IRD has control over is the defined LPAR cluster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Figure 7-12 IRD LPAR cluster example

176IBM eServer zSeries 990 Technical Guide

Page 190
Image 190
IBM 990 manual Intelligent Resource Director, IRD overview

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.