IBM Mainframe Specialty Processors: Understanding zIIPs, Licensing, and Cost Savings on the IBM System z

by Craig Mullins

If you are an IT professional who works on IBM z Series mainframes, then you’ve probably heard about zIIPs and other “specialty processors.” But you may not really know what they are, what they do, and why they exist. This book will clarify the purpose of specialty processors and how you can best utilize them for cost optimization.The book provides a high-level overview of pertinent mainframe internals such as control blocks, SRBs, and TCBs, and why they are important for understanding how zIIPs work.Additionally, because reducing mainframe software cost is essential to the purpose of specialty processors, the book proivdes a high-level introduction to understanding mainframe licensing and pricing. But mainframe pricing and billing is a complex topic that is understood by few. Nevertheless, this book will help you become conversant on the topic.Furthermore, the book describes the types of workloads that can take advantage of specialty processors, including advice on how to promote zIIP usage in your applications and systems.The book is primarily focused on zIIP usage, but it also takes a look at the other types of specialty processors, including what they are used for and why it can be beneficial to use them. And finally, the book speculates on the future of specialty processors in the realm of the IBM Z.

183 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2023

About the author

Author (Re-Animated States of America), filmmaker (READ ME A STORY), snake wrangler, armchair archaeologist, Lovecraft disciple, Fortean, amateur ghostbuster, 80's horror & metal aficionado, truck driver and family man...