Integrated Facility for Linux (IFL)
Run Linux workloads on IBM zSystems and IBM LinuxONE with a cost-effective, dedicated processor
More about Linux on IBM z16 Read the product brief
What is Integrated Facility for Linux? IBM Integrated Facility for Linux (IFL) is a processor dedicated to Linux® workloads on IBM zSystems™ and IBM LinuxONE. It is supported by the Linux operating system for IBM zSystems and IBM LinuxONE, IBM z/VM® and KVM. IBM z16™ and LinuxONE 4 offer massive processing capacity, on-chip acceleration, and industry-leading capabilities for cyber resiliency.
Benefits Lower expenses

Reduce operational, software, facility and energy expenses with a very high Linux server density.

Reduce risk

Protect against outages with built-in automated diagnostics, problem determination and isolation.

Accelerate AI

Create new value with every customer interaction with accelerated AI insights from IBM z16 and IBM LinuxONE 4.

Features Extensive processing capacity

Support up to 200 user-configurable IFLs and up to 40 TB Redundant Array of Independent Memory (RAIM). Operate asynchronously with standard processors.

Designed for performance

Improve performance capability with enhanced Simultaneous Multi-Threading (SMT) and Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) technologies.

Flexibility to add IFLs

IFLs can be added on the fly. IFL technology supports On/Off Capacity on Demand (O/O CoD), Capacity Upgrade on Demand, and Capacity BackUp (CBU).

High speed communication

IBM HiperSockets™ and Shared Memory Communication (SMC) functionality provide high speed communication between logical partitions.

On-chip acceleration

New on-chip acceleration provides faster AI insights at scale, increased data transfer rates, lower CPU consumption and rapid encryption of CPACF.

No affect to MSU rating

IFL does not increase charges for IBM zSystems software running on “standard” processors, nor does it affect the MSU rating or the IBM zSystems model designation.

Widely available and supported

Available for all models of IBM z16, z15™, z14®, z13®, z13s® and IBM LinuxONE, and supported by the Linux OS for IBM zSystems and IBM LinuxONE, z/VM and KVM.

Flexible partition management

Manageable by PR/SM or IBM Dynamic Partition Manager in logical partition (LPAR) with dedicated or shared processors. Requires an LPAR definition.

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IBM LinuxONE 4

A highly secure, scalable server platform to help achieve lower energy costs and smaller carbon footprint.

Resources Using KVM Virtualization

Run Linux as a guest of the open source KVM hypervisor.

IBM Redbooks®

Explore more information and technical insights about IBM Linux on IBM zSystems and LinuxONE.

IBM Global Financing

Discover customized payment options from the industry's top IT financier.

IBM Z and LinuxONE Community

Access a rich community of business and technical expert blogs and forums for Linux on IBM zSystems and LinuxONE.

IBM Developer Community

Access open-source projects, developer advocates and a global community of developers for Linux

IFL features and product details Extensive processing capacity

The IBM z15™ and IBM LinuxONE III enterprise platforms support up to 190 user-configurable IFLs and up to 40 TB Redundant Array of Independent Memory (RAIM). IFL delivers the same functionality as a “standard” processor on an IBM Z enterprise platform. It is designed to operate asynchronously with standard processors.

Designed for performance

IFL supports enhanced Simultaneous Multi-Threading (SMT) and Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) technologies to improve performance capability. IFL is always a full capacity processor, independent of the capacity of the other processors on the server.

Flexibility to add IFLs

IFLs can be added on the fly, without affecting the business.

As well, IFL technology supports On/Off Capacity on Demand (O/O CoD), Capacity Upgrade on Demand, and Capacity BackUp (CBU) for emergency situations.

High speed communication

IBM Z® HiperSockets™ and Shared Memory Communication (SMC) functionality provide high speed communication between logical partitions. The technologies can be used for communication between Linux images or Linux and the z/OS® and z/VSE® operating system images. Use a shared OSA-Express connection for high speed communication between a Linux image and z/TPF operating system.

On chip acceleration for compression and encryption

z15 and LinuxONE III continue to implement acceleration directly onto the chip. The new IBM Integrated Accelerator for z Enterprise Data Compression (zEDC) can enable the reduction in size and also increase data transfer rates, with reduced CPU consumption. The dedicated cryptographic co-processor on each core provides hardware accelerated encryption of CPACF.

No affect to MSU rating

IFL does not increase charges for IBM Z software running on “standard” processors in the server. It does not affect the MSU rating or the IBM Z model designation. z/VM and most IBM Linux middleware products are priced per IFL with an one-time-charge and an annual, optional maintenance charge. Many software vendors have adopted the IBM pricing model for Linux workloads.

Widely available and supported

IFL is available for all models of z15™, z14®, z13®, z13s®, and LinuxONE. It can be ordered as a hardware feature; the number of features varies by server model/configuration. It is supported by the Linux operating system for IBM Z and LinuxONE, z/VM, and KVM.

Manageable by PR/SM or IBM Dynamic Partition Manager

IFL is manageable by PR/SM™ or IBM Dynamic Partition Manager in logical partition (LPAR) with dedicated or shared processors. The implementation of IFL requires an LPAR definition, following normal LPAR activation procedures.

Gain agility and flexibility

IBM flexible payment plans help align infrastructure investments with workload needs.

Explore financing

Using KVM Virtualization

Run Linux as a guest of the open source KVM hypervisor.

Read the documentation
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Next steps Documentation

Get information about how to maintain and use the product.

Community

A rich community of business and technical expert blogs and forums.

IBM Redbooks

Complimentary, step-by-step guides for download and mobile.

Next steps

Get information about how to maintain and use the product.

Community IBM Redbooks