A mainframe specifically designed to meet the needs of small to medium enterprises IBM System z9 Business Class Time to rethink the role of the mainframe As we look at the technology installed in businesses of all sizes across the world, one thing we see is that nearly every infrastructure is different from any other infrastructure. These differences have built up over time and often stem from the buying decisions made both centrally and by multiple departments, with drivers varying from application availability to technology to cost, to name a few. The results of this approach to IT purchasing are highly Highlights complex and often costly infrastruc­ tures, comprised of multiple platforms, ■ ■ IBM System z9™ technology, Helps protect client’s invest- with limited integration, making it very for entry level to midsize ments in mainframe technolo­ difficult to manage and implement capacity needs, with a wide gies with upgradeability from progressive change. choice of capacity settings and z890 and z800 servers highly granular growth options, So what does this boil down to? In ■ an increase of 2.6 times more Key System z9 features of many cases, it means that rather than capacity settings than advanced security, resiliency, IT being an enabler of new business IBM eServer™ zSeries® 890 virtualization and connectivity opportunities, it instead restrains the (z890) technologies delivered in a business by limiting its flexibility. These midrange package limitations are becoming ever more ■ A broad set of specialty engines restrictive as sophisticated users both to facilitate integration of many types of workloads and fully leverage the power of the mainframe within and outside of the business have An extremely flexible approach to Enterprise Class (z9 EC). Today, more ever greater expectations for the computing than ever, z9 BC means there is a service provided by your business The z9 BC advances the innovation of System z9 for everyone. through your IT infrastructure. Well, it is the System z9 platform and brings time to regain control, time to create a value to a wider audience, both Built on a “classic” unified infrastructure, time to re-think midrange and small enterprise busi­ Built specifically for the midrange and the role of the new mainframe! nesses. The z9 BC offers a low cost of small enterprises, the z9 BC offers entry, granular growth, flexible configu­ many of the robust features and func­ The modern mainframe is worlds apart rations, subcapacity pricing, Capacity tions of the z9 EC at a considerably from the mainframe of a decade ago. It Backup Upgrade (CBU) and On/Off lower capacity and priced entry point. has retained the strengths on which its Capacity on Demand to meet growing The “classic” mainframe is thought to reputation was formed and taken them and changing demands for traditional offer the highest standards of scalability, to new heights, with security, availability and new workloads. availability and security. The z9 BC and reliability built in across the system offers customers the strengths of a components. It is flexible and open, So what are subcapacity models? mainframe while consuming less power with comprehensive support for This is the ability to offer only a portion compared to large server farms or Service-Oriented Architectures, all of of a single processor’s full capacity. On larger mainframes. And for ease of which can make it an ideal platform for the z9 BC, subcapacity options are installation, the z9 BC server can be deploying new workloads or for interop­ offered on 1-way to 4-way servers. installed in either a raised or non-raised erating with new workloads on alterna­ Having the ability to offer just a portion floor environment. tive technologies. Now, IBM is evolving of the full capacity gives you greater the mainframe further, extending the flexibility. The z9 BC comes in a single frame, scope of key management capabilities with one multi-chip module (MCM) that across heterogeneous platforms, The z9 BC is available in two models hosts the engines, memory and high designed so the mainframe can provide with 73 capacity settings. The speed connectors for I/O. On the a unifying influence across the IT that Model R07, aimed at smaller enter­ Model R07, there are seven customer­ supports your critical business prises, has a smaller I/O configuration configurable engines and one System processes. and lower entry point where large Assist Processor (SAP). This model amounts of resources are not the driv­ must be ordered with at least one The introduction of the IBM System z9 ing factor, but always a quick upgrade general purpose processor (CP), and Business Class (z9 BC) marks a key away when needed, either temporary or two more can be characterized as milestone in the mainframe’s evolution, permanent. The Model S07 is aimed at general purpose processors or specialty delivering significant capabilities that medium sized businesses that need to engines. The remaining four engines can meet the demands of small and have more available I/O or more are available for additional specialty medium enterprises. capacity, as well as the ability to engines. upgrade to the IBM System z9 The Model S07 also has seven system resources. The z9 BC improves Parallel Sysplex environment also allows customer-configurable engines and on our System z base with an for centralized data sharing across one System Assist Processor (SAP). Up increased focus on security, enhanced mainframes. With the Server Time to four engines can be characterized networking, continued operational ease Protocol (STP) feature (planned to be as general purpose processors or spe­ and is designed to help clients extend available January 31, 2007) on the cialty engines, with room for 3 more the business value of mainframe tech­ server, designed to maintain time specialty engines. This model does nology across the enterprise by inte­ synchronization with other System z9, not require a general purpose proces­ grating applications and data. z990 and z890 servers, the z9 EC can sor to allow for a fully configured be coupled into a Sysplex without the Linux® offering. Important connectivity capabilities requirement for an external IBM Sysplex available on the z9 BC are the Timer®. STP is also designed to The z9 BC uses the latest chip innova­ OSA-Express2 OSN (OSA for NCP) support up to a 100 km wide tion built on CMOS 10K-SOI technol­ feature, OSA-Express2 Link Parallel Sysplex without the need for ogy. It can support up to 64 GB of Aggregation and OSA-Express2 an intermediary site to house a remote memory and 16 enhanced, high per­ Network Traffic Analyzer, which provide Sysplex Timer. formance Self-Timed Interconnects System z9 networking enhancements (STI) for data communications between designed to help protect access to your The introduction of the Integrated memory and I/O. This is double the applications and data. Facility for Linux (IFL) in 2001 allowed amount in the z890. IBM to support new workloads and Specialty engines for better integration of open standards. Linux can offer a sta­ IBM System z™ virtualization technolo­ new with old ble, open and economical application- gies are designed to help lower the IBM mainframes have a long history of enabling platform with a wealth of total cost of computing by supporting providing integrated technologies to available applications. The System z multiple and diverse operating system optimize a variety of workloads. The platform provides users with the ability images on a single hardware footprint Internal Coupling Facility (ICF) was intro­ to “scale out” by deploying large num­ and helping to provide a compatible duced with IBM S/390® servers and bers of virtual Linux servers intended to environment for mission critical applica­ can help cut the cost of Coupling provide high levels of service while at tions. IBM’s world-class mainframe vir­ Facility functions by reducing the need the same time helping to reduce tualization technology represents over for an external Coupling Facility. expense and complexity. For smaller 35 years of innovation. It offers features IBM System z Parallel Sysplex® tech­ mainframe customers, having an IFL and functions that can help consolidate nology allows for greater scalability and running side by side with traditional tens to hundreds of independent dis­ availability by coupling mainframes workloads offers the accessibility of tributed servers onto one larger server. together. Using Parallel Sysplex cluster­ core business data to new Web based Virtualization technology is designed to ing, System z servers are designed for applications—while offering added help reduce management complexity up to 99.999% availability. Having a security and potentially first and more and facilitate a more efficient use of current availability. The System z9 Application Assist IPSec processing to take advantage of also available on z9 BC with two chan­ Processor (zAAP) allows users to zIIP specialty engines. It is anticipated nels per feature. This provides an entry strategically deploy and integrate new that the zIIP will help reduce the overall point that still provides fast channel link Java™ technology based workloads on cost of IPSec processing.1 speeds that can help to improve per­ the mainframe, which can facilitate the formance and throughput, increased integration of applications and core Enabling with FICON availability with pluggable optics, and is business data in a highly cost effective The z9 BC now includes IBM FICON® intended to maintain investment protec­ manner. A zAAP is designed to help: Express4 to help improve capacity and tion by recognizing and supporting 2 or simplify and reduce server infrastruc­ performance with the next generation 4 Gbps link data rate transfer speeds of tures, providing both operational and of FICON/FCP. This new feature may currently installed I/O technology. performance advantages over a physi­ help reduce the cost of storage opera­ cally separated multi-tier solution; tions and infrastructure and shorten Mainframe protection means being increase system productivity by reduc­ backup windows with faster channel available and secure ing the demands and capacity require­ link speeds.