One of the really nice things about Linux on z is the fact that the underlying hardware has a long life. This means that for complex software solutions that need extensive and expensive testing you can keep the system going over a long time period. The Linux distributions on the mainframe are supporting this model with their long term support contracts.
But how long can you get service? There is a now updated summary presentation out on TechDocs called "IBM Mainframe Life Cycle History" (PPT, PDF). It has a nice overview chart which gives the answer to this question: the average support cycle over the past 21 years has been 11.3 years!
October 23, 2015
October 22, 2015
IBM Storage Support Matrix (SSIC) updated for Linux on z
This week there has been a major update on the IBM System Storage Interoperation Center (SSIC). Now in addition to the high end boxes and Flash Systems also many entry and mid range boxes are supported like a V3500, V3700, V5000, V7000. To get a quick view select under connection "FCP (z Systems)":
So for all those systems no SVC is needed any more!
And as a side remark: all the supported tapes are also documented in the SSIC,
So for all those systems no SVC is needed any more!
And as a side remark: all the supported tapes are also documented in the SSIC,