Preview: IBM z/VSE V4.1 supports z/Architecture and introduces a subcapacity monitoring tool

IBM United States Software Announcement 206-083
April 27, 2006

 

 ENUS206-083.PDF (25KB)

Table of contents   Document options  
TOC link At a glance TOC link Product positioning
TOC link Overview TOC link Statement of general direction
TOC link Key prerequisites TOC link Reference information
TOC link Availability TOC link Planning information
TOC link Description  
 
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At a glance

z/VSE Version 4 Release 1 is designed to enable network integration and infrastructure simplification. It is the replacement for z/VSE V3 and VSE/ESA and is designed to protect and leverage VSE information assets.

z/VSE V4.1 is designed to execute in z/Architecture mode only. It will support:

  • IBM System z9 Enterprise Class (formerly the System z9 109)
  • IBM System z9 Business Class
  • IBM eServer zSeries® z990, z890, z900, and z800

z/VSE V4.1 will provide an LPAR-based subcapacity monitoring tool.
 
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Overview

z/VSE® Version 4 Release 1 brings the value of innovative IBM System z9™ technology to VSE clients. It is designed to:

  • Exploit z/Architecture™ to help address the needs of VSE clients with growing core VSE workloads.
  • Support IBM System z™ servers.
  • Execute in z/Architecture mode only and support 64-bit real addressing. That means z/VSE V4.1 is designed to exploit more than 2 GB of processor storage. z/VSE V4.1 is not designed to support 64-bit virtual addressing or allow 64-bit addressing mode for user applications.
  • Support point-to-point connections for FCP-attached SCSI disks.

z/VSE V4.1 will provide an LPAR-based subcapacity monitoring tool.

z/VSE V4.1 will support selected IBM System z features, including FICON™ Express4, OSA Express2 1000BASE-T Ethernet, Crypto Express2, CPACF enhancements, and N_Port ID Virtualization. In addition, 31-bit VTAM® I/O buffers are supported as well. These functions will also be supported by z/VSE V3.1 with the appropriate service.

z/VSE V4.1 is planned to continue the focus on interoperability, especially for those customers who choose Linux™ on System z for on demand solutions and infrastructure simplification. It is the follow-on product for clients with z/VSE V3 or VSE/ESA™ installed.
 
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Key prerequisites

Refer to the Planning information section for details.


 
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Availability

Previews provide insight into current IBM plans and direction. IBM development plans are subject to change or withdrawal without further notice. Any reliance on this Preview is at the relying party's sole risk and will not create any liability or obligation for IBM. Availability, prices, ordering information, and terms and conditions will be provided when and if the product is announced.
 
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Description

z/VSE Version 4 Release 1 (z/VSE V4.1) is designed to:

  • Exploit z/Architecture to help address the needs of VSE clients with growing core VSE workloads and those who choose Linux on IBM System z for on demand solutions and infrastructure simplification.
  • Execute in z/Architecture mode only. It is designed to support 64-bit real addressing. z/VSE V4.1 64-bit real addressing is designed to be transparent to user applications. z/VSE V4.1 is not designed to support 64-bit virtual addressing. Individual address spaces or data spaces remain limited to 2 GB. That means z/VSE V4.1 is not designed to allow 64-bit addressing mode for user applications.
  • Support IBM System z servers and such other servers as IBM may specify.

z/VSE V4.1 will provide an LPAR-based subcapacity monitoring tool.

z/VSE V4.1 will support selected IBM System z features, including:

  • Processor storage up to 8 GB for added value
  • Point-to-point connections for FCP-attached SCSI disks, which eliminates the cost of an external switch
  • CP Assist for Cryptographic Function (CPACF) with selected enhancements (z/VSE V3.1 and later)
  • N_Port ID Virtualization for more flexible attachment of SCSI disks (z/VSE V3.1 and later)
  • Crypto Express2 in accelerator mode in addition to coprocessor mode (z/VSE V3.1 and later)
  • FICON Express4 for additional bandwidth (VSE/ESA V2.7 and later)
  • OSA Express2 1000BASE-T Ethernet for additional connectivity options (VSE/ESA V2.7 and later)
  • Up to 60 LPARs for more flexibility (VSE/ESA V2.7 and later)

z/VSE V4.1 will support 31-bit VTAM I/O buffers (z/VSE V3.1 and later).

Items also available in z/VSE V3 or VSE/ESA V2.7 may require that additional PTFs be installed.

z/VSE V4.1 is planned to continue the focus on interoperability. Interoperability helps you protect your extensive investments in VSE applications, data, IT skills, business processes, and end-user training. By leveraging existing information assets and building on traditional mainframe strengths, you may be able to implement new solutions with less cost, lower risk, and faster time-to-market.

z/VSE V4.1 is the follow-on product for all clients with z/VSE V3 and VSE/ESA installed.

z/VSE V4.1 is designed to allow Fast Service Upgrade (FSU) from z/VSE V3.1 and VSE/ESA V2.7 using equivalent disks. However, FSU will not be allowed from ECKD™ to SCSI-FCP disks or from SCSI-FCP to ECKD.

Until z/VSE V4.1 becomes available, z/VSE V3.1 will be the current level of VSE. z/VSE V3.1 can execute in 31-bit mode only. It does not implement z/Architecture, and specifically does not implement 64-bit mode capabilities. z/VSE V3.1 is designed to exploit selected features of IBM System z hardware. z/VSE V3.1 will be the last version and release of VSE that supports Multiprise® 3000, S/390® G5 and G6, and equivalent machines.

All statements regarding IBM's plans, directions, and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice.

Previews provide insight into current IBM plans and direction. IBM development plans are subject to change or withdrawal without further notice. Any reliance on this Preview is at the relying party's sole risk and will not create any liability or obligation for IBM. Availability, prices, ordering information, and terms and conditions will be provided when the product is announced.
 
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Product positioning

A key element of the z/VSE strategy is helping clients protect their investments in core VSE application code, data, application knowledge and IT skills, as well as highly evolved business processes and end-user training. A second, closely related component of the z/VSE strategy is helping clients implement new solutions in a three-tier, integrated environment that leverages existing VSE information assets, traditional mainframe strengths, plus the strengths of the customer's "middle-tier" server of choice.

Interoperability capabilities have been designed to improve integration of z/VSE and any Java™-capable middle-tier platform. Interoperability can help clients simplify their IT infrastructure. Infrastructure simplification may help reduce cost, disruption, and risk. It may also help increase productivity and lessen time-to-market.

Integrated solutions may consist of an IBM System z running z/VSE V4.1 plus the user's choice of any Java-capable server for the middle tier. For example, the middle-tier platform may be any IBM server:

  • IBM System z (the same or a different server with IBM z/OS® or Linux)
  • IBM System p5™ (IBM AIX® or Linux)
  • IBM eServer xSeries® (Microsoft™ Windows™ or Linux)
  • IBM System i5™ (IBM OS/400® or Linux)

z/VSE V4 is designed for VSE clients with growth opportunities. "Growth" may be generated by some combination of:

  • VSE workload
    • Added volumes, new users, and new or enhanced core applications
    • Associated IT activity (such as test, backup, printing, and file transfer)
  • Linux workload
    • New on demand solutions (such as WebSphere®, DB2 Universal Database®, Lotus®, and Tivoli® families)
    • New line-of-business applications (such as ERP and CRM)
    • Application development and test
    • Infrastructure simplification, including consolidation of existing distributed workload (such as file/print server, mail, firewalls, and DNS)

Responding to growth opportunities, z/VSE V4.1 is planned to exploit advanced IBM System z and TotalStorage® technology.

For example, an especially attractive environment may consist of:

  • z/VSE V4.1 (running on "standard" CP engines), linked via HiperSockets to
  • Linux on System z (running on Integrated Facility for Linux [IFL] engines).

This powerful model, perhaps implemented using innovative IBM technology such as

  • IBM System z and
  • IBM TotalStorage

can provide a compelling solution for both growth-oriented and cost-conscious VSE clients.
 
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Statement of general direction

It is IBM's intent to provide new software pricing for z/VSE V4 when running on select processors, subject to applicable terms and conditions. IBM expects this new software pricing metric to provide more granularity and a subcapacity pricing option.

All statements regarding IBM's plans, directions, and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice.
 
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Reference information

Refer to Hardware Announcement 106-287 , dated April 27, 2006 (IBM System z9 Business Class).

Business Partner information

If you are a Direct Reseller - System Reseller acquiring products from IBM, you may link directly to Business Partner information for this announcement. A PartnerWorld ID and password are required (use IBM ID).

BP Attachment for Announcement Letter 206-083

Trademarks

 
System z9, z/Architecture, System z, FICON, VSE/ESA, ECKD, System p5, and System i5 are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
 
z/VSE, VTAM, zSeries, Multiprise, S/390, z/OS, AIX, xSeries, OS/400, WebSphere, Tivoli, Lotus, DB2 Universal Database, and TotalStorage are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
 
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
 
Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
 
Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries or both.
 
Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

 
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Planning information

Preview announcements are made solely to provide clients with important planning information. Previews contain no dates or prices. However, the following additional information is being provided to give customers essential information to use in their planning processes. These statements do not represent a commitment from IBM. They are based on IBM's current plans and those plans are subject to change or withdrawal without notice.

IBM intends to deliver z/VSE® V4.1 in 2007. Customers are encouraged to avoid delaying hardware or software upgrades in the interim. It is suggested that customers consider proceeding with any plans they have to install z/VSE V3.1 in 2006. Similarly, customers interested in an IBM System z9™ Business Class server can install with z/VSE V3.1 and begin receiving the benefits of this appealing server solution in 2006. The Fast Service Upgrade (FSU) process is planned to be available to z/VSE V4.1 from z/VSE V3.1 and from VSE/ESA™ V2.7.

Hardware requirements

z/VSE V4.1 will operate on these servers:

  • IBM System z9 Enterprise Class (formerly the System z9 109)
  • IBM System z9 Business Class
  • IBM eServer zSeries® 990
  • IBM eServer zSeries 890
  • IBM eServer zSeries 900
  • IBM eServer zSeries 800
  • Such other servers as IBM may specify

z/VSE V4.1 is designed to operate in z/Architecture™ mode only. It is designed to support 64-bit real addresses. It is expected that z/VSE V4.1 will be able to exploit up to 8 GB of processor storage. z/VSE V4 64-bit real addressing is designed to be transparent to user applications. z/VSE V4.1 will not operate on Multiprise® 3000, S/390® G5/G6, or equivalent servers.

Software requirements

Many VSE clients choose to operate under z/VM® for operational flexibility or to supplement the capabilities of z/VSE alone. VSE clients who choose to run one or more z/VSE V4.1 "guests" under z/VM will require z/VM V5.2 or later.

For specific functions and for the most current information on z/VM, refer to

Trademarks

 
System z9, VSE/ESA, and z/Architecture are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
 
z/VSE, zSeries, Multiprise, S/390, z/VM, and eServer are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
 
Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

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