Description: The following changes in hardware support could
affect your environment. Make appropriate changes as needed.
- Removal of support for connections to an STP Mixed
CTN: The zEC12 and zBC12 are the last System z servers to support
connections to an STP Mixed CTN. This also includes the Sysplex Timer
(9037). After the zEC12 and the zBC12, servers that require Time synchronization,
such as to support a base or Parallel Sysplex, will Require Server
Time Protocol (STP) and all servers in that network must be configured
in STP-only mode.
- Removal of support for Ethernet half-duplex operation
and 10 Mbps link data rate. The OSA-Express4S 1000BASE-T Ethernet
feature is planned to be the last copper Ethernet feature to support
half-duplex operation and a 10 Mbps link data rate. The zEC12 and
zBC12 servers are planned to be the last IBM® System z® servers to support
half-duplex operation and a 10 Mbps link data rate for copper Ethernet
environments. Any future 1000BASE-T Ethernet feature will support
full-duplex operation and auto-negotiation to 100 or 1000 Mbps exclusively.
This hardware statement of direction is fulfilled with the delivery
of OSA-Express5S.
- Removal of ISC-3 support on System z. The zEC12 and zBC12 are planned
to be the last System z servers to offer support of the InterSystem
Channel-3 (ISC-3) for Parallel Sysplex environments at extended distances.
ISC-3 will not be supported on future System z servers as carry forward
on an upgrade. Previously we announced that the IBM zEnterprise 196
(z196) and IBM zEnterprise 114 (z114) servers were the last to offer
ordering of ISC-3. Enterprises should continue migrating from ISC-3
features (#0217, #0218, #0219) to 12x InfiniBand (#0171 - HCA3-O fanout)
or 1x InfiniBand (#0170 - HCA3-O LR fanout) coupling links.
- Removal of OSA-Express3 support on System z. The zEC12 and zBC12 servers
are planned to be the last System z servers to offer support of the
Open System Adapter-Express3 (OSA-Express3 #3362, #3363, #3367, #3370,
#3371) family of features. OSA-Express3 will not be supported on future
System z servers as carry forward on an upgrade. Enterprises should
continue migrating from the OSA-Express3 features to the OSA-Express4S
(#0404, #0405, #0406, #0407, #0408) and OSA-Express5S features (#0413,
#0414, #0415, #0416, #0417).
- Removal of FICON® Express4
support on System z.
The zEC12 and zBC12 servers are planned to be the last System z servers
to offer support of the FICON Express4 features (#3321, #3322). FICON
Express4 will not be supported on future System z servers as carry
forward on an upgrade. Enterprises should continue migrating from
the FICON Express4 features to the FICON Express8S features (#0409,
#0410).
- Removal of Crypto Express3 support on System z. The zEC12 and zBC12 servers
are planned to be the last System z servers to offer support of the
Crypto Express3 features (#0864 and #0871 - zBC12). Crypto Express3
will not be supported on future System z servers as carry forward
on an upgrade. Enterprises should continue migrating from the Crypto
Express3 features to the Crypto Express4S feature (#0865).
- IBM System z Integrated Information Processor (zIIP)
and IBM System z Application Assist Processor (zAAP) simplification:
The zEC12 and zBC12 are planned to be the last System z servers to
offer support for zAAP specialty engine processors. IBM intends to
continue support for running zAAP workloads on zIIP processors ("zAAP
on zIIP"). This is intended to help simplify capacity planning and
performance management, while still supporting all the currently eligible
workloads.
- Removal of support for the HCA2-O fanouts for 12x
IFB and 1x IFB InfiniBand coupling links: The zEC12 and zBC12
are planned to be the last System z servers to support the following
features as carry forward on an upgrade: HCA2-O fanout for 12x IFB
coupling links (#0163) and HCA2-O LR fanout for 1x IFB coupling links
(#0168). Enterprises should continue migrating to the HCA3-O fanout
for 12x IFB (#0171) and the HCA3-O LR fanout for 1x IFB (#0170).
- Removal of support for IEEE 802.3 Ethernet frame types:
The zEC12 and zBC12 are planned to be the last System z servers to
support IEEE 802.3 Ethernet frame types. All OSA-Express features
supported on future System z servers are planned to support DIX Version
2 (DIX V2) exclusively.
Note: IBM's statements regarding its plans, directions, and intent
are subject to change or withdrawal without notice at IBM's sole discretion.
Information regarding potential future products is intended to outline
our general product direction and it should not be relied on in making
a purchasing decision. The information mentioned regarding potential
future products is not a commitment, promise, or legal obligation
to deliver any material, code, or functionality. Information about
potential future products may not be incorporated into any contract.
The development, release, and timing of any future features or functionality
described for our products remains at our sole discretion
| Element or feature: |
Multiple. |
| When change was introduced: |
- 28 August 2012 in U.S. Announcement Letter for the zEC12.
- 23 July 2013 in U.S. Announcement Letter for the zBC12.
|
| Applies to migration from: |
z/OS V2R1, V1R13 and z/OS V1R12. |
| Timing: |
Before migrating to a zEC12 or zBC12 server. |
| Is the migration action required? |
No, but recommended if you are using a zEC12
or zBC12 server because this is the last server that will support
the changes mentioned in "Description" above. |
| Target system hardware requirements: |
See "Description" above. |
| Target system software requirements: |
None. |
| Other system (coexistence or fallback) requirements: |
None. |
| Restrictions: |
None. |
| System impacts: |
None. |
| Related IBM Health
Checker for z/OS® check: |
None. |
Steps to take: Take into account the statements in “Description”
above as you migrate to zEC12 or zBC12.