The following applies to latest "April 2004 stream". Note that Linux distributions containing code based on this stream (like Novell SUSE SLES9 and Red Hat RHEL4) have their own documentation on prerequisites. For Linux distributions you may find the webpage on IBM tested Linux environments useful.
Supported Platforms and Environments
IBM service and support is available for
- IBM System z10 Enterprise Class (z10 EC)
- IBM System z9 Enterprise Class (z9 EC)
- IBM System z9 Business Class (z9 BC)
- IBM eServer zSeries 990
- IBM eServer zSeries 890
- IBM eServer zSeries 900
- IBM eServer zSeries 800
- zSeries (all models)
- S/390 9672 Ri6 and Ri7
for Linux on zSeries running:
- in LPAR
- as z/VM guest
Hardware and Software Requirements
- Hardware requirements
- An S/390 or zSeries configuration with an absolute minimum of 32MB of memory
- Software requirements
- If you are using Linux as a VM-guest, z/VM Version 4 Release 4 or higher is required
Supported Functionality
Kernel (general)
- Character devices
- 3215 console
- 3270 console
- Integrated Console
- Cryptographic devices
- PCICC (PCI Cryptographic Coprocessor)
- PCICA (PCI Cryptographic Accelerator)
- PCIXCC (PCI-X Cryptographic Coprocessor)
- CEX2C (Crypto Express 2 Coprocessor)
- CEX2A (Crypto Express 2 Accelerator)
Networking
- Network devices
- CLAW
- CTC
- CTCMPC
- LCS: OSA 2: Token Ring, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
- LCS: OSA-Express: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
- LCS: 2216: Token Ring, Ethernet
- QDIO: OSA-Express: Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, ATM LAN Emulation, High Speed Token Ring, CDLC (OSN), HiperSockets
- Network devices only under z/VM
- Virtual CTC
- IUCV
- z/VM Guest LAN, z/VM VSWITCH
Storage
- Tape Devices - All models of the following IBM Magnetic Tape Subsystem and 100% compatibles
- IBM 3480
- IBM 3490
- IBM 3590
- IBM 3592
- Block Devices
- ECKD 3380 or 3390 DASDs
- FBA
- Expanded Storage
- Additional Block Devices under z/VM
- VM minidisks
- Virtual FBA
- DCSS
- FCP
- FCP channels - System z9 and zSeries
- For more information on FCP-attachable devices, please refer to //www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/zseries/connectivity/#fcp
- IPL mechanisms
- 3480, 3490, 3590, 3592 tape units
- DASD
- Load from CD-ROM (Hardware Management Console - HMC) or FTP-Server
- SCSI IPL (requires FCP channels, requires enablement by FC9904)
- Additional IPL mechanism under z/VM
- VM reader