The diag288 watchdog device driver

6.10 LPAR mode z/VM guest KVM guest

The diag288 watchdog device driver provides Linux® watchdog applications with access to the watchdog timer on IBM Z®.

You can use the diag288 watchdog in these environments:

Linux on z/VM®
Linux in LPAR mode as of z13s® and z13® with the enhancements of February 2016
Linux as a KVM guest

The diag288 watchdog device driver provides the following features:

Access to the watchdog timer on IBM® Z.
An API for watchdog applications.

Watchdog applications can be used to set up automated restart mechanisms.

Watchdog applications that communicate directly with the IBM Z firmware, the z/VM control program (CP), or the KVM host do not require a third operating system to monitor a heartbeat.