IBM eServer zSeries 890

A mainframe sized and priced to suit your on demand business needs

About the z890

At a glance

Features

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Granular growth options
When it comes to growth, the z890 offers extreme granularity. The range of capacities for the z890 has increased from the processor on its predecessor, the IBM eServer zSeries 800 (z800)—options for low capacity are now lower and those for high capacity are now higher. What does that mean to your business? It means you can start at the capacity level you need to simplify your IT infrastructure, then add additional capacity to meet your changing needs as you grow.

Built on z990 technology
Built on the powerhouse function of the z990, the z890 offers many of the features and functions of the z990 at a considerably lower capacity entry point. That's not so bad, considering the z990 is IBM's most sophisticated mainframe, with world-class scalability, virtualization, automation, security and reliability.

The IBM eServer zSeries Application Assist Processor (zAAP), available on the z890 and z990 servers, is an attractively priced specialized processing unit that provides an economical z/OS Java execution environment for customers who desire the traditional qualities of service and the integration advantagesof the zSeries platform.  zAAPsare designed to assist and operate asynchronously with the central processors to execute Java programming under control of the IBM Java Virtual Machine (JVM). This can help reduce the demands and capacity requirements on central processors which may then be available for reallocation to other zSeries workloads.

The amount of central processor savings may vary based on the amount of Java application executed by zAAPs, and thereby may contribute to lowering the overall cost of computing for z/OS Java technology-based applications. Best of all, IBM JVM processing cycles can be executed on the configured zAAPs with no anticipated modifications to the Java application(s).

Continuing enhancements to the Open Systems Adapters provide improved throughput, enhanced virtualization with up to 4 times the supported TCP/IP connections, Large Send TCP Segmentation offload, concurrent LIC updates, a 10 Gigabit Ethernet feature, and the  capability to perform like a Layer 2 type device providing the capability of being protocol or Layer 3 independent.

FICON Express2™ features can provide improved throughput, support for up to four FICON Channels, support for up to 2 Gigabit per second high speed attachment of traditional disk and tape storage, connectivity to SCSI based open storage via Linux on zSeries, and availability enhancements with FICON Purge Path Extended.  Additionally, with FICON Express and FICON Express2, FCP LUN Access Control, when available, is designed to enhance security and resource sharing on SCSI storage controllers and devices.

Another feature for both the z890 and the z990 is the OSA-Integrated Console Controller (OSA-ICC), which offers system console (IPL) and operations support for multiple logical partitions (LPARs). The OSA-ICC enables local and remote user console session capability, as well as encrypted remote connection for configuration changes. Use of the OSA-ICC can positively impact the ongoing costs of running your system by eliminating the requirement for an external controller for console support.

The zSeries is the enterprise class on demand server optimized for integration, transactions and data of the next generation on demand business world. In implementing the z/Architecture features with new technology solutions, zSeries models are designed to help facilitate the IT business transformation and reduce the stress of business-to-business and business-to- customer growth pressure. The zSeries represents an advanced generation of servers that feature enhanced performance, support for zSeries Parallel Sysplex clustering, and improved hardware management controls and innovative functions to address on demand processing. The z890 may be configured with an Internal Coupling Facility processor that can be integrated with other central processors or configured standalone to allow the z890 to run as a Coupling Facility.

The zSeries is designed to deliver a high level of application availability in response to today's on demand environment. It offers technology for high reliability and is endowed with self-healing, self-managing features so your system can fine-tune itself in key areas to help provide optimized performance. Fault avoidance and tolerance design features can help minimize business disruptions and permit concurrent maintenance and  repairs.

The IBM eServer Capacity Upgrade on Demand* provides for the addition of one or more Central Processors (CPs), Internal Coupling Facilities (ICFs), Integrated Facility for Linux (IFLs), and/or zSeries Application Assist Processors (zAAPs) to increase your server resources when you need them.

IBM eServer On/Off Capacity on Demand* on the z890 is designed to provide even greater flexibility by allowing you to turn on temporary capacity resources at busy times of the year and then turn them back off when they're no longer needed*. This can give you exceptional control over costs while you address your dynamic capacity needs.

The z890 processors can provide reserved emergency backup CPU capacity through their Capacity BackUp* feature. This feature gives extra capacity to your operation in emergency situations where you have lost capacity in another part of your establishment and need to recover capacity on a designated z890  system.

Pay for what you use
The z890 and the z/OS or z/OS.e operating systems can be a powerful combination in helping to reduce computing costs by leveraging the sub-capacity benefits of Entry Workload License Charges (EWLC). Subcapacity EWLC aligns IBM monthly license charge software charges with the utilization of an LPAR or LPARs where a software product executes. Exclusive to the z890 is the EWLC Tiered Price Structure, which IBM is introducing in order to provide greater granularity and price/performance for all flat-charge IBM software products that run on the z890.

IBM Global Financing, a leading provider of IT financing services, offers solutions that can make acquiring your z890 fast, easy and affordable. The financing charges for all your hardware, software and services can be included in a single monthly payment to help simplify your administration. By spreading your total cost of acquisition over the term of the financing, you turn large upfront expenses into regular monthly payments.

This flexibility can help you to overcome current budget restrictions, better manage your expenses, and eliminate hardware disposal issues.