Restrictions for a z196 or z114 server

Restrictions associated with zEnterprise servers are:
  1. Functional limitations. For a list of the zEnterprise functions that are available in each z/OS release, see Table 1 and Table 2. Some functions have migration or exploitation considerations (see Migration and exploitation considerations for z196 and z114 server functions). Many functions are enabled or disabled, based on the presence or absence of the required hardware and software. If you wish to position yourself to exploit any new zEnterprise functions, the software and hardware may be installed in either order. That is, there is no requirement to install either software or hardware first to exploit a specific function. However, due to outage windows and testing considerations, you might want to consider installing all the required software first, then upgrading the hardware and, finally, updating your customization to exploit the new functions.
  2. zEnterprise® servers in a sysplex.
    • zEnterprise servers z196 and z114 are supported in a Parallel Sysplex® with other zEnterprise z196 and z114 servers, z10™ EC and z10 BC servers, and z9® EC and z9 BC servers. If you introduce zEC12 or zBC12 into a sysplex with z196 or z114, ensure that you have satisfied the zEC12 or zBC12 sysplex restrictions in Restrictions for a zEC12 or zBC12 server. If you are running z/OS® on zSeries z900, z800, z990, or z890 servers, then you cannot add a zEnterprise z196 and z114 server to that sysplex. That is, you will not be able to perform rolling IPLs to introduce a zEnterprise z196 and z114 server if you have any of the earlier (pre-System z) servers either as z/OS images or coupling facility images in the sysplex. The earlier servers in the sysplex must be upgraded to System z9 or later to have zEnterprise z196 and z114 servers supported in the sysplex. If you have any z/OS images or coupling facility images on an earlier server, and you intend to introduce a zEnterprise z196 and z114 server into that sysplex, you must migrate those images to System z9 (or later) server before introducing the zEnterprise z196 and z114 server.
    • The Integrated Cluster Bus 4 (ICB-4) Coupling Links are not supported on a zEnterprise CPC. Use 12x InfiniBand coupling links, which are designed to replace Integrated Cluster Bus 4 (ICB-4), and to complement 1x InfiniBand and ISC-3 on a zEnterprise server. InfiniBand coupling can provide significantly improved service times compared to ISC-3s for distances up to 150 meters. You can read about InfiniBand coupling links in IBM® System z® Connectivity Handbook (SG24-5444).
    • The zEnterprise servers cannot be connected to a Sysplex Timer (9037-002). The Server Time Protocol (STP) feature is the follow-on to the Sysplex Timer. STP is designed to allow multiple servers and coupling facilities to maintain time synchronization with each other without requiring a Sysplex Timer. STP is a hardware feature of the zEnterprise, z10 EC, z10 BC, z9 EC, z9 BC, z990, and z890 servers. To implement STP, see the STP web site and the publications and other resources listed there. The STP web site is at http://www.ibm.com/systems/z/advantages/pso/stp.html .
      The STP design introduced a concept called Coordinated Timing Network (CTN). A CTN is a collection of servers and coupling facilities that are time-synchronized to a time value called Coordinated Server Time. A CTN can be configured in two ways:
      • STP-only CTN, which does not require a Sysplex Timer.
      • Mixed-CTN (External Time Reference and STP), which does require a Sysplex Timer.

        The Sysplex Timer provides the timekeeping information in a Mixed-CTN. Even though the zEnterprise servers do not support attachment to a Sysplex Timer, they can participate in a Mixed-CTN that has either a z10 or z9 server synchronized to the Sysplex Timer. This maintains the capability for enterprises to concurrently migrate from an existing External Time Reference (ETR) to a Mixed-CTN and from a Mixed-CTN to an STP-only CTN.

  3. Unsupported hardware features. The following hardware features that were available on System z10 (and some earlier) servers cannot be ordered (and cannot be carried forward on an upgrade to a z114) server with zEnterprise servers. You must migrate to the newer technology available on zEnterprise servers.
    • FICON® Express®
    • FICON Express2
    • Crypto Express2
    • OSA-Express2 10 GbE LR
    The following hardware features are not orderable on z196 servers. If they are installed on your existing server at the time of an upgrade to a z196 server, they may be retained.
    • FICON Express4 10KM LX
    • FICON Express4 SX
    • FICON Express4 4KM LX
    • OSA-Express2 GbE LX
    • OSA-Express2 GbE SX
    • OSA-Express2 1000BASE-T
    The following hardware features are not orderable on z114 servers. If they are installed on your existing server at the time of an upgrade to a z114 server, they may be retained.
    • FICON Express4 10KM LX
    • FICON Express4 SX
    • FICON Express4 4KM LX
    • FICON Express4-2C 4KM LX
    • FICON Express4-2C SX
    • OSA-Express2 GbE LX
    • OSA-Express2 GbE SX
    • OSA-Express2 1000BASE-T
Parent topic: Migrate to an IBM zEnterprise z196 or z114 server