Evolution of The IBM Mainframe Architecture

Project and Program: Application Architecture Development and Integration, LE and Programming Languages

Tags: Proceedings, 2011, SHARE in Orlando 2011

This presentation will begin with a brief historical review of the CPU architectural features that have led to the current IBM z/Architecture, beginning with the original System/360 and working forward to System Z. The CPU facilities that distinguish z/Architecture will be discussed in detail, identifying specific features of the following processor models:

o System z900 (2064) and System z800 (2066)
o System z990 (2084) and System z890 (2086)
o System z9-109 EC (2094) and System z9-109 BC (2096)
o System z10 EC (2097) and System z10 BC (2098)
o and the new IBM zEnterprise z196 (2817)

The discussion will address why the various CPU facilities and functions were developed, and how you can exploit these facilities to improve code performance and simplify code design.

Note: Given the time constraints, our discussion of the various CPU's functions and features will be at a high level. Detailed material on the CPU facilities -- up through and including the System z10 -- may be found in several previous SHARE presentations.

Presenter(s): Dan Greiner, IBM Corporation

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