z13 feature exploitation - which distribution levels are required

In this post I'll try to summarize which distribution levels, packages, APARs, PTFs etc are needed to exploit a given z13 (performance) function. I expect this to change over time, so please revisit for updates.

For the virtualization layers I use the label "(guest)" for enablement of guest exploitation. So you need at least the given version of the Hipervisor to exploit a certain function in the guest. Of course you also need the respective guest support.

All version levels in the table are minimum levels.

Feature	Red Hat	SUSE	Ubuntu	z/VM (host)	z/VM (guest)	KVM (host)	KVM (guest)
SMT	7.2	12 SP1	16.04	6.3+		1.1.1
SIMD: kernel support – compiled SIMD apps can run	7.2	12 SP1	16.04		6.3+(3)	1.1.1	1.1.1
z13 tool chain support (compiler, binutils)	tbd	12 SP1	16.04		6.3+		1.1.0
PCI: RoCE 10 Gb Ethernet	7.2(1)	12 SP1	16.04		6.3+
PCI: RoCE 10 Gb OFED stack	7.2(1)		16.04		6.3+
PCI: zEDC Java(4)	7.2(1)	12 SP1	16.04		6.3+
PCI: zEDC zlib preload library	(1)(2)	(2)	16.04		6.3+
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(1) fixes coming, maybe in next fix pack
(2) RYO lib from https://github.com/ibm-genwqe/genwqe-user
(3) z/VM APAR VM65733 required
(4) Java 7 SR9FP30, Java 7.1 SR3FP40, Java8 SR3

(updated 9/30/2016)

z13s videos

Announcement & retail demo: The retail demo starts around 17:50 into the video 

Other marketing videos: 

• IBM z 13s: Designed to Compete
• The IBM z13s: A Secure Hybrid Cloud Platform
• Introducing the IBM z13s: Outperforming the Competition

z13s

IBM announced the new version of the business class  mainframe called z13s.  This is the successor to the zBC12. You can find the detailed announcement letter here.

z13s glas model - photo Michael Storzer

From a Linux perspective the IBM tested platforms has been updated to include z13s. SUSE has published the certifications:

• SUSE certifications: SLES11 SP3, SLES12
• Red Hat certifications: RHEL6, RHEL7

Also announced are

• z13 enhancements (see announcement letter) including a new administrative mode for Linux called IBM Dynamic Partition Manager (DPM)
• KVM for IBM z Systems V1.1.1 with a planned availability of 3/18/2016, see my separate post.
• z/VM PTFs for exploitation APARs  (see announcement letter) providing e.g. also SIMD support for guest exploitation (VM65733)
• z/VM 6.4 preview announcement

Useful links:

• IBM Redbooks:
• IBM z13 and z13s Technical Introduction, SG24-8250-01 
• IBM z13 Technical Guide, SG24-8251-01
• IBM z13s Technical Guide, SG24-8294-01 
• z13s FAQ
• 3D demonstration of the system (you can interact, open doors, get explanations etc)
• Large Systems Performance Reference for IBM z Systems updated with z13s data
• Common Criteria Certification at EAL5+ level for LPAR

(updated 10/21/2016)