Development stream - Technical Details
The following applies to latest "Development stream", currently based on kernel 2.6.25. Note that there is currently no distribution based on this stream.
IBM 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
for Linux on System z running:
IBM supports only 64-bit distributions based on this stream;
31-bit applications are supported on the 31-bit emulation layer.
IBM System z™ (or System z, for short) is used on these pages
when referring to the above mentioned mainframes.
Hardware requirements
An IBM System z configuration with an absolute minimum of
32MB of memory
Software requirements
If you are using Linux as a VM-guest, z/VM Version 5 Release 1
or higher is required
Kernel (general)
Character devices
3215 console
3270 console
Integrated Console
VMUR - virtual unit-record device driver
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
QETH:
OSA-Express, OSA-Express2, OSA-Express3 - Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, ATM LAN Emulation, High Speed Token Ring, CDLC (OSN)
HiperSockets
z/VM Guest LAN, z/VM VSWITCH
LCS:
OSA-Express, OSA-Express2, OSA-Express3 - Token Ring, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
2216 - Token Ring, Ethernet
CTCM:
CTCM protocol 4 (former CTCMPC)
Network devices not recommended for Distributions based on the "Development stream" :
CLAW
CTCM protocols 0, 1, and 2 (former CTC)
NETIUCV network device -- Note that the IUCV-infrastructure is not being deprecated
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
Expanded Storage
Additional Block Devices under z/VM
VM minidisks
Virtual FBA (for native FBA see Restrictions )
DCSS
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 mechanisms under z/VM
Document options requiring JavaScript are not displayed