Migration and exploitation considerations for z13 and z13s server functions

The following z13™ and z13sTM functions have considerations when you are planning for migration and exploitation. For PTF information, see the Notes® for Table 1.

  1. Large Systems Performance Reference (LSPR) method. LSPR is designed to provide comprehensive z/Architecture® processor capacity ratios for different configurations of central processors (CPs) across a wide variety of system control programs and workload environments.
  2. Simultaneous multithreading (SMT). Incremental throughput is achieved partly because the new processor chip offers intelligently implemented 2-way simultaneous multithreading. Simultaneous multithreading allows two active instruction streams per core, each dynamically sharing the core's execution resources. SMT is available on the z13 for workloads that are running on the Integrated Facility for Linux (IFL) and the IBM® z Integrated Information Processor (zIIP).
  3. Start of changeCFCC Level 20 and CFCC Level 21 support. CFCC Levels 20 and 21 support the Coupling Facility use of Large Memory to improve availability for larger CF cache structures and data sharing performance with larger DB2® Group Buffer Pools. This support removes inhibitors to using large CF cache structures, enabling use of Large Memory to appropriately scale to larger DB2 Local Buffer Pools and Group Buffer Pools in data sharing environments.End of change
  4. Coupling links. IBM z13™ introduced new PCIe (Integrated Coupling Adapter – ICA SR) based Short Reach coupling links using a new CHPID type, CS5. ICA-SR links can only Start of changeconnect z13 and z13s CPCs to other z13 and z13s CPCsEnd of change.

    Start of changeIBM z13 and z13s CPC now support up to 256 links. A single z/OS® or a CF Image supports a maximum of 128 links. When displaying STP (DISPLAY ETR) from a z/OS image, information is provided for the entire CPC. If more than 128 links are defined, the z/OS support must be installed on all z/OS releases running on that CPC, so that information about more than 128 links, including STP timing information, can be displayed.End of change

  5. SIMD. z/OS V2R1 (and later) is designed to support the new vector extension facility (Single Instruction Multiple Data, SIMD) instructions available on IBM z13 servers. SIMD provides a powerful framework for development of new Business Analytics workloads, porting math-intensive workloads from other platforms, and accelerating Business Analytics workloads on IBM z13 Start of changeand z13sEnd of change servers. High Data Intensity, High Computational Intensity, Predictive IT Analytics, Advanced Security/Crypto, BI Reporting, Perspective Analytics, and Next-Generation Data Warehousing are some of the workloads that may benefit from Data Parallelism (SIMD). z/OS support includes enablement of Vector Registers (VR) on IBM z13 Start of changeand z13sEnd of change servers, Mathematical Acceleration Subsystem (MASS), and Automatically Tuned Linear Algebra Software (ATLAS) support, as well as Language Environment enablement for C runtime functions.
  6. Cryptographic Enhancements. Cryptographic enhancements for z/OS V2R1 (and later) on z13 servers include:
    • VISA Format Preserving Encryption (VFPE). Support for VFPE algorithms in CCA-based callable services helps legacy databases to contain encrypted data of sensitive fields without having to restructure the database or applications. This support relies on the Crypto Express5S coprocessor.
    • Greater than 16 Domain support. This support allows a cryptographic coprocessor to be shared across more than 16 domains, up to the maximum number of LPARs on the system. This support relies on enhanced firmware available with a minimum microcode level for the Crypto Express5S coprocessor.
    • Trusted Key Entry (TKE) 8.0 Licensed Internal Code (LIC). This support includes Crypto Express5S Coprocessor support, FIPS Certified Smart Card, Crypto Coprocessors with more than 16 domains, a full-function migration wizard for EP11 coprocessors, new master key management functions, a Smart Card Readers Available indicator, a Configure Displayed Hash Size utility, ECC Authority Signature Keys, print capability, new features in the Crypto Node Management (CNM) utility, ENC-Zero verification pattern for 24-byte DES operational keys, and usability enhancements.
    See Decide on the steps you will take for your migration to a z13 server in Actions you can take before you order a z13 or z13s server
  7. IBM zAware system. The IBM zAware feature is designed to offer a near real-time, continuous learning, and diagnostics capability intended to help you pinpoint and resolve potential problems quickly enough to minimize impacts to your business. The new version of IBM zAware introduces a new generation of technology with improved analytics to provide better results. After you order a z13 or z13s server, you can prepare to set up an IBM zAware environment by defining the IBM zAware logical partition, defining and using OPERLOG log streams, and network definitions to connect the z/OS LPAR to the zAware LPAR. For more information, see IBM System z Advanced Workload Analysis Reporter (IBM zAware) Guide, (SC27-2623), and z/OS MVS Setting Up a Sysplex.
  8. Start of changeJava™ exploitation. This support is added by:
    • IBM 31-bit SDK for z/OS, Java Technology Edition, Version 8 (5655-DGG)
    • IBM 64-bit SDK for z/OS, Java Technology Edition, Version 8 (5655-DGH)
    End of change
  9. Flash Express®. With this support, z/OS is designed to help improve system availability and responsiveness by using Flash Express across transitional workload events such as market openings, and diagnostic data collection. z/OS is also designed to help improve processor performance by supporting middleware exploitation of pageable large (1 MB) pages. This support requires the Flash Express hardware feature.
  10. 2GB Large Page support. This support includes support for 2 GB large fixed pages.
  11. New z/Architecture instructions: XL C/C++ ARCH(11) and TUNE(11) parameters. This function provides new hardware instruction support, including support for the vector facility, the decimal floating point packed conversion facility, and numerous performance improvements (machine model scheduling and code generation updates). Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) instruction set and execution support is provided through the new vector support in the compiler, including Business Analytics vector processing through the MASS and ATLAS libraries. Unlike prior generations of servers, to use any of these functions on z/OS V2R1, you must download and install the XL C/C++ V2R1M1 web deliverable with z13 support for z/OS 2.1.
  12. FICON® Express16S. FICON Express16S supports a link data rate of 16 gigabits per second (GBPS) and auto-negotiation to 4 or 8 GBPS for synergy with existing switches, directors, and storage devices. With support for native FICON, High Performance FICON for System z® (zHPF), and Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP), the new FICON Express16S channel is designed to work with your existing fiber optic cabling environment. The FICON Express16S feature running at end-to-end 16 GBPS link speeds provides reduced latency for large read/write operations, and increased bandwidth compared to the FICON Express8S feature.
  13. FICON Dynamic Routing. With z13, FICON channels are no longer restricted to the use of static Storage Area Network (SAN) routing policies for Inter-Switch Links (ISLs) for cascaded FICON directors. You need to ensure that all devices in your FICON SAN support FICON Dynamic Routing before implementing this feature.
  14. Improved High Performance FICON for System z (zHPF) I/O Execution at Distance. High Performance FICON for System z (zHPF) has been enhanced to allow all large write operations (> 64 KB) at distances up to 100 km to be executed in a single return trip to the control unit, thereby not elongating the I/O service time for these write operations at extended distances.
  15. Improved Channel Subsystem (CSS) Scalability. The IBM z Systems™ servers have improved the channel subsystem (CSS) scalability, as follows:
    • The z13 server improves CSS scalability with support for six logical channel subsystems (LCSSs), which are required to support the 85 LPARs for z13, four subchannel sets (to support more devices per logical channel subsystem), and 32K devices per FICON channel, up from 24K channels in the previous generation. Additionally, a fourth subchannel set for each LCSS is provided to facilitate elimination of single points of failure for storage after a disk failure.
    • Start of changeThe z13s server improves CSS scalability with support for three logical channel subsystems (LCSSs) which are required to support the 40 LPARs for IBM z13s, three subchannel sets (to support more devices per logical channel subsystem), and 32K devices per FICON channel up from 24K channels in the previous generation. Additionally, a third subchannel set for each logical channel subsystem (LCSS) is provided to facilitate elimination of single points of failure for disk storage devices.End of change
  16. PCIe and HCD Definitions. Start of changez/OS V2R1, and z/OS V2R1 HCD (FMID HCS7790)End of change support full exploitation for z13 Start of changeand z13sEnd of change processors (Start of changetypes 2964 and 2965End of change) with support for up to 6 channel subsystems and 4 subchannel sets. To support PCIe functions for systems that are running on zEC12, zBC12, z13, Start of changeor z13sEnd of change servers, HCD introduced a new dialog for defining PCIe functions and assigning the functions to LPARs.

    Start of changez/OS V1R13 HCD (HCS7780) supports limited exploitation for z13 Start of changeand z13sEnd of change servers (Start of changetypes 2964 and 2965End of change). For PCIE functions, it is possible to define complete Start of changetypes 2964 and 2965End of change servers, including PCIe functions and the new channel types and capabilities. However, a processor configuration can be dynamically changed or activated only if it contains neither PCIe function nor a PNETID attribute. For a software activation with hardware validation, PCIe functions and the PNETID attribute are ignored.End of change

    Start of changeIBM recommends that you define and activate all the new hardware definitions on a z/OS V2R2 system, or on a V2R1 system with the appropriate HCD PTF (APAR OA44294) installed and perform software activations (with hardware validation) only on lower-level systems.End of change

  17. Consider the changes in the CPU Measurement Facility counters. The number of CPU measurement facility counters for z13 Start of changeand z13sEnd of change servers remains at 128. Though the structure of the SMF 113 record does not change, the values, interpretations, and frequency of certain sections do change; therefore, current tools that use the data must be updated for the z13 Start of changeand z13sEnd of change servers.
    For example, consider the following SMF record field:
    • SMF113_2_CtrVN2 identifies how to interpret the MT-Diagnostic, Crypto, and Extended Counter Sets. As described in The IBM CPU Measurement Facility Extended Counters Definition for z10 and z196, SA23-2260, this field is set to 1 (for z10™), 2 (for z196 or z114), 3 (for zEC12 and zBC12), or 4 (for z13 Start of changeand z13sEnd of change).
    Note: As of z/OS V2R1, if you use the CPU Measurement Facility, IBM recommends that your installation collect SMF 113 subtype 1 and 2 records. IBM also recommends that products process SMF 113 subtype 1 records when available because that is where future enhancements will be made. If subtype 1 records are not available, products can process subtype 2 records.
Parent topic: Migrate to an IBM z13 or IBM z13s server