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Kernel 2.4 based: August 2001 stream

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Supported Platforms
Hardware and Software Requirements




Supported Platforms

  • Environment
    • zSeries or ESA/390 Single Image
    • zSeries or S/390 LPAR
    • VM/ESA guest
    • z/VM guest

  • Central processor
    • IBM service and support is available for
      • 9672 Ri6 and 9672 Ri7 ("G5" and "G6")
      • 2064 Models 101-116 and 1C1-1C9 ("G7")
      • Multiprise 3000®
    • Linux also runs on
      • 9672 Ri4, 9672 Ri5 ("G3", "G4")
      • Multiprise 2000®
      • P/390, R/390, Integrated Server
      • These machines may not be supported by middleware and other products

  • Supported processor features
    • SMP
    • Hardware IEEE floating point
    • IEEE floating point emulation by Linux for S/390 (limited to normalized IEEE floating point numbers)
    • Console Integration

  • Block Devices
    • VM minidisks
    • ECKDTM 3380 or 3390 DASDs
    • FBA (9336, VDISK in storage)
    • Expanded Storage

  • Tape Devices
    • all models of IBM 3480 Magnetic Tape Subsystem and 100% compatibles
    • all models of IBM 3490 Magnetic Tape Subsystem and 100% compatibles
    • all models of IBM 3590 Magnetic Tape Subsystem and 100% compatibles

  • Network devices
    • Virtual CTC
    • Real CTC
    • 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
    • HiperSockets, VM Guest LAN (only z/VM 4.2 and 4.3, needs APARs)
    • 3172
    • IUCV

  • Channel devices
    • ESCON® connections
    • FICONTM(not tested)
    • Parallel Channels

  • Character devices
    • 3215 console
    • Integrated Console

  • IPL mechanisms
    • 3480, 3490, and 3590 tape units
    • VM reader
    • DASD
    • Load from CD-ROM (HMC) or FTP-Server on G5 or newer with recent SE-level

  • Root file systems during IPL
    • Initial RAM disk
    • VM minidisk
    • DASD
    • NFS (only via LCS, CTC or IUCV)

  • Linkage
    • ELF linkage

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Hardware and Software Requirements

  • Hardware requirements
    • An S/390 or zSeries configuration with a recommended 64MB of memory (absolute minimum 16MB)
    • ESA/390 Basic Mode, S/390 LPAR or VM guest
    • zSeries Basic Mode, zSeries LPAR or z/VM guest for 64 bit
    • Under VM: a minidisk (recommended 500 Cylinders) or a dedicated ECKD DASD (3380 or 3390)
    • For native: ECKD DASD (3380 or 3390), 3390 Model 3 recommended
    • Temporary access to a tape unit for install

  • Software requirements
    • A network connection (TCP/IP), to transfer Linux for S/390 to the system
    • If you want to use Linux under VM APARs VM62520 and VM62573 should be applied. For VM TCP/IP PQ37002 should be applied.
    • If you want to use the IEEE hardware FPU, ensure you have APARs VM62337 and VM62410 installed before bringing up Linux under VM. Anyone IPL-ing Linux under VM/ESA V2R3.0 will need VM61762, too. It already exists in the 2.4.0 base.
    • If you want to use TCP/IP for VM/ESA, it is recommended that you install APAR PQ34318.
    • Following MCF is needed to run LCS on Multiprise 3000:
      EC Stream F34643 MCL048
    • For OSA Express under VM, you need APAR VM63034.
      For HiperSockets under VM, you need APAR VM62938 and VM63034.

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Contact the IBM team
If you want to contact the Linux on System z IBM team refer to the Contact the Linux on System z IBM team page.