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

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These LIC-CC based PU conversions, as listed on Table 2-7, “PU conversions” on page 65, require that at least one PU (CP, ICF or IFL) has to remain untouched, otherwise the conversion is disruptive. The PU conversion generates a new LIC-CC which can be installed concurrently in two steps. First, the assigned PU is removed from the z990 configuration. Second, the newly available PU is activated as the new PU type.

Logical partitions may also need to “free” PUs to be converted, and the operating systems must have the “configure offline/online” capability to do the PU conversion nondisruptively.

Model upgrades

The z990 servers have both a server model (2084-xxx) and a software model (3xx).

The server model indicates how many books are present on the configuration, while the software model indicates how many CPs are present for software billing-related purposes.

z990 model upgrades always require physical hardware (books) addition. z990 servers upgrades can change either, or both, the server and the software models:

￿On LIC-only upgrades:

May change the server’s software model (3xx) if additional CPs are included.

Cannot change the server’s model (2084-xxx), as no additional books can be included.

￿On hardware installation upgrades:

May change the server’s model (2084-xxx) if additional books are included.

May change the server’s software model (3xx) if additional CPs are included.

Both the server and the software models can be concurrently upgraded.

Concurrent upgrades can be accomplished in both planned and unplanned upgrade situations.

Important: If the z990 STI Rebalance feature (FC 2400) is selected and effectively results in STI rebalancing, the server upgrade will be disruptive and this outage must be planned. The z990 STI Rebalance feature may also change the Physical Channel ID (PCHID) of ICB-4 links, requiring a corresponding update on the server I/O definition via HCD or HCM.

Planned upgrades

Planned upgrades can be done by the Capacity Upgrade on Demand (CUoD), the Customer Initiated Upgrade (CIU), or the On/Off Capacity on Demand (On/Off CoD) functions.

CUoD and CIU are functions available on z990 servers that enable concurrent and permanent capacity growth of a z990 server.

CUoD can concurrently add processors (CPs, IFLs, ICFs, and zAAPs), memory, and I/O ports to an existing server. CUoD requires IBM service personnel for the upgrade.

CIU can concurrently add processors (CPs, IFLs, ICFs, and zAAPs) and memory up to the limit of the installed book(s) of an existing server. CIU is initiated by the customer via the Web using IBM Resource Link, and makes use of CUoD techniques. CIU requires a special contract.

On/Off CoD is a function available on z990 servers that enables concurrent and temporary capacity growth of a z990 server. On/Off CoD can be used for customer peak workload requirements, for any length of time.

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IBM 990 manual Model upgrades, Planned upgrades

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.