IBM z16

The digital transformation of business, institutions and society is Highlights

accelerating faster than ever. A strong IT infrastructure is a component
in business strategy, providing essential capabilities to deliver value and • Integrate AI into business
services in highly competitive markets in the digital economy. processes and IT operations
to increase decision velocity
IBM created the new IBM z16™ system to enable organizations to and customer value. Protect
innovate and meet the needs of their customers and stakeholders with data now and in the future with
confidence and impact. Quantum-safe cryptography
• Build a cyber resilient
Built to build your business environment
• Modernize for hybrid cloud to
The new core IBM Telum™ dual processor chip has 16 cores, leverages deliver new value
the density and efficiency of 7nm chip technology, runs at 5.2 GHz, and
delivers increased performance and capacity across a wide range of
workloads. There are up to 200 customer configurable cores. The
IBM z16 comes with up to 200 configurable cores in a single model -
the Model A01. The IBM z16 A01 is available with five options of core
capacity – Max39, Max82, Max125, Max168 and Max200.

The system offers up to 40 TB of Redundant Array of Independent

Memory (RAIM) per system.

IBM z16 1-frame configuration

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• With IBM z16, The Integrated Accelerator
for IBM Z AI
The Integrated Accelerator
for IBM Z Sort

process up The IBM z16 integrates new The IBM Integrated Accelerator

to 300 billion Artificial Intelligence (AI)

acceleration via an on-chip AI
for IBM Z Sort is a specialized
processor on the IBM z16 core

inference coprocessor to reduce latency and

deliver outstanding performance
that helps to reduce the CPU costs
and improve the elapsed time for

operations/ for in transaction inferencing.

Now organizations can embed AI
eligible workloads. Since
IBM Z Sort is embedded in the

day with 1ms directly into business processes

and existing IBM zSystems
CPU and memory latency is much
lower than disk latency, sorting

response time applications to improve business

outcomes and deliver customer
in memory is more efficient than
sorting with both memory and

• IBM z16 is the value in each interaction at

unprecedented scale and speed
disk workspace, resulting in
reduced elapsed time and

industry’s first within stringent SLA response

time guidelines.
CPU time.

quantum safe
system.
• Modernizing
and running
applications on
IBM z16 is as
little as 1/2 the
OPEX of public The Integrated Accelerator Data Security for today

clouds. for zEnterprise Data

Compression (zEDC)
and tomorrow

The IBM z16 represents a

The Integrated Accelerator for breakthrough in data security.
zEDC function can reduce data Quantum-safe cryptography
storage and communications is embedded in the system
requirements and costs, as well to improve the resiliency to
as increase data transfer rates cyber-attacks from bad actors
to boost throughput without with future access to quantum
adversely impacting response computing resources. Today’s
times. The Integrated Accelerator cyber threats often involve
for zEDC improves systems harvesting encrypted data for
performance for pervasive decryption later when these
encryption, so that customers can resources can break today’s
encrypt 100% of their data, 100% encryption algorithms. The
of the time. IBM z16 represents a step forward
as customers have a safe and
tested infrastructure that can
deploy the more sophisticated and
complex cryptography needed to
protect today’s sensitive data from
cyber risks as they emerge.

3
IBM zSystems continues its leadership in data security with Quantum-
safe security on the IBM z16, extending pervasive encryption, Fibre
Channel Endpoint Security, the Hyper Protect Data Controller, and other
innovative advancements that make it the most securable computing
platform in industry.

IBM Z Cyber Vault extends the cyber resiliency of the IBM z16 by
enabling the quick recovery from ransomware attacks using EAL5
certified air-gap separation of compute and storage infrastructure and
Safeguarded Copy to restore data using a protected and trusted copy of
the data.

Flexible Infrastructure

Flexible Capacity for Cyber Resiliency on the IBM z16 enables

customers to transfer capacity easily and efficiently between different The 19” frame technology supports the A3 operating class as defined
data centers for disaster recovery, regulatory compliance, maintenance, by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning
and other business needs. Combined with IBM storage, GDPS® and Engineers (ASHRAE).1The benefit of having an A3 class rating is being
System Recovery Boost, this function delivers an extremely high able to save on Heat, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) costs due
availability solution for mission critical workloads. to the wide range of operating conditions that will now be available.

System Recovery Boost on the IBM z16 has been enhanced to include The optional IBM Z Hardware Management Appliance can be ordered
faster IBM middleware restart and faster SVC dump processing. with the IBM z16 to provide Hardware Management Console (HMC)/SE
System Recovery Boost enables customers to improve availability by functions within the 19” frame, eliminating the need for a separate HMC
accelerating the recovery time from planned and unplanned outages outside of the server.
using all available processor resources during system shutdown and
restart. It also provides the additional capacity to process workload Continuous Compliance
backlog after the system has recovered from the outage.
The IBM z16 contains new capabilities to make compliance to PCI-DSS
Remote Code Load for IBM Z Firmware optimizes resilience and keeps regulatory guidelines easier and more productive. Audit preparation
your IBM Z system up to date with the latest features, fixes, and times can be significantly reduced and require less staff to complete.
maintenance without requiring someone to be physically in the data The IBM z16 is integrated with the IBM Z Security and Compliance
center to install and monitor planned updates to your system. This Center to monitor and record system, network and application data
optional feature provides secure, remote installation and monitoring by for changes and adherence to PCI-DSS standards. A user-friendly
IBM for planned updates to your IBM zSystems. dashboard enables infrastructure personnel to easily and quickly
generate reports that auditors need and to ensure a continuous
The IBM z16 is built with a 19” frame that flexibly scales from one to compliance posture that mitigates the potential for noncompliance
four frames depending on the configuration. Customers migrating from regulatory fines.
the IBM z14® or earlier systems or consolidating Linux® workload from
distributed systems will achieve significant sustainability improvements, IBM z16 for Hyrbid Cloud
including improved environmental efficiencies and floor space reduction
for most customers. Changes to the footprint mean: IBM zSystems is continuing to deliver new and improved cloud
capabilities on the platform. We are empowering developers across the
– The Central Processing Complex (CPC) drawer design has relocated organization by adopting a broad set of open and industry standard tools
the long-distance coupling to the PCIe+ I/O drawer. including an agile DevOps methodology to accelerate modernization.
– The frame no longer requires the PCIe+ I/O drawers to be locked into Now we have taken another big step forward in IBM zSystems
fixed locations. modernization technologies with the IBM z16 and Cloud Modernization
– Support continues for both raised and non-raised floors as well as top Stack. This provides a flexible and integrated platform to support z/OS®
and bottom exit I/O and power. All cabling is routed to the back of the based cloud native development, application and data modernization
frame with new brackets to contain cables. and infrastructure automation.
– There are two power options - intelligent power distribution unit
(iPDU) and Bulk Power Assembly (BPA).
– The doors are designed for acoustics and optimized for airflow. The
frame requires 3-phase power.
– The use of the iPDU power may improve power efficiency and lower
overall energy costs dependent on the required configuration.

4
Tailored Fit Pricing for IBM Z enables price stability, particularly in Fast and secure access to data
an unpredictable hybrid cloud environment. The Tailored Fit Pricing
Software and Hardware Consumption solutions are transformational High-speed connectivity to data is critical to achieve balanced
pricing options for IBM z16. It provides simple, transparent, and performance with storage device and exceptional transaction
predictable pricing for hardware and software when running the throughput. The IBM z16 offers:
IBM z/OS platform. The Tailored Fit Pricing options maximize cost
predictability, while still supporting optimal response times and Service – A 2-port FICON Express32S adapter that connects your IBM z16
Level Agreements (SLA) compliance. to switches, directors, and storage devices at up to 32 Gbps. With
support for native FICON®, High Performance FICON for IBM Z (zHPF)
The Tailored Fit Pricing for IBM Z Hardware Consumption Solution and Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP), the adapter helps meet the low
provides instantaneous access to additional capacity for short, latency and increased bandwidth demands of applications.
unpredictable spikes in business-critical z/OS workloads. It was When the Fibre Channel connection endpoints use the
designed to meet the demands of hybrid cloud workload on the FICON Express 32S adapter or FICON Express16SA adapters to the
platform. To meet these demands, the IBM z16 can now include, on IBM DS8900F storage, authentication of the endpoints is enabled.
top of the base capacity that you own, a fixed corridor of pay for use – A set of OSA-Express7S 1.2 adapters that meet the increased
capacity. This always on corridor of consumption priced capacity networking bandwidth demands driven by high speed processors and
will help you to alleviate the impact of short unpredictable spikes in faster network-attached storage devices.
workloads that are becoming more common in today’s digital world. – Support for IBM zHyperLink™ 1.1, a direct connect, short distance,
I/O adapter offering extremely low latency connectivity to FICON
IBM announced a number of open-source compilers to leverage the storage systems. The IBM Washington Systems Center offers the
Integrated Accelerator for Z AI on the IBM z16 Telum processor chip, zBNA tool to help determine workload candidates that can benefit
enabling programmers to embed inferencing easily and at scale in from this adapter.
applications. Existing IBM compilers have been updated to exploit – Shared memory communications that are used for either direct
the latest IBM z16 architecture. This capability allows them to deliver memory placement of data within the IBM z16, or host-to-host
cross-platform development and integration, operate with Java™, Swift memory communications, using Remote Direct Memory Access over
or Node.JS and optimize enterprise workload performance without Converged Ethernet (RoCE) Express adapters, without significant
recompiling, as well as reduce the central processing unit (CPU) cycles TCP/IP processing costs.
needed to complete the job. – Support memory-memory communications is available for both z/OS
and Linux on IBM Z.
IBM z/OS Container Extensions (IBM zCX) capabilities for the z/OS – Support for IBM Internal Coupling Adapter Short Reach (ICA SR)1.1
environment allows developers to build and deploy Red Hat® OpenShift® and Coupling Express2 LR (long range) coupling interconnects with
containers or Docker workloads on z/OS. This can minimize the barrier significant changes to the coupling limits with increase for ICA SR
to develop on the platform, while allowing the workloads to inherit the physical coupling links and coupling channel path identifiers (CHPID).
z/OS qualities of service benefits of high availability, integrated disaster
recovery, scalability, workload manager, and integration with z/OS With the internal configuration changes implemented for the 19”, the
security. amount of I/O that can be attached is dependent on the type of power
that is selected. There is a maximum of twelve PCIe+ I/O drawers when
The IBM z16 provides Linux deployments with more cores, more iPDU power is selected (11 on Max125) or a maximum of ten PCIe+ I/O
memory and cache innovations. The IBM z16 provides the platform for drawers when BPA is selected.
modernizing, developing, and managing on-premises, containerized
applications. The new 19” frame opens new opportunities within a
data center. A Linux platform can be deployed as a standalone server,
or side-by-side with z/OS or z/VSE® environments on a single physical
server. This allows for easy integration of Linux workloads on the
IBM z16 resulting in infrastructure benefits from tight data and
application colocation, fast internal communications, and integrated
high availability.

5
Why IBM? Learn more:
Link
Position for today and tomorrow

Success in the digital economy is contingent on making IT a creator

of value internal and externally. Fundamental to this is a flexible © Copyright IBM Corporation 2022
IBM Corporation
infrastructure that positions organizations strategically, leveraging AI New Orchard Road
and hybrid cloud, while protecting existing investments and improving Armonk, NY 10504

sustainability. IBM, the IBM logo, ibm.com, IBM Z, FICON, GDPS,

Telum, z14, z15, z16, zHyperlink, z/OS and z/VSE are
trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.,
The new IBM z16 delivers this with scale, agility, resiliency, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Other
product and service names might be trademarks of IBM
performance, a security-rich environment, and a lower overall Total Cost or other companies. A current list of IBM trademarks
of Ownership. The IBM z16 provides confidence in meeting the future, in is available on the web at “Copyright and trademark
information” at www.ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml.
a world of uncertainty.
Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Oracle and/or
For more information its affiliates.
The registered trademark Linux® is used pursuant to
a sublicense from the Linux Foundation, the exclusive
Detailed IBM z16 specifications table: licensee of Linus Torvalds, owner of the mark on a
https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/6NW3RPQV world¬wide basis.

Red Hat®, JBoss®, OpenShift®, Fedora®, Hibernate®,

Ansible®, CloudForms®, RHCA®, RHCE®, RHCSA®, Ceph®,
Additionally, IBM Global Financing provides numerous payment options and Gluster® are trademarks or registered trademarks of
to help you acquire the technology you need to grow your business. We Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and
other countries.
provide full lifecycle management of IT products and services, from
acquisition to disposition. For more information, visit: ibm.com/financing This document is current as of the initial date of
publication and may be changed by IBM at any time.
Not all offerings are available in every country in which
IBM operates. The client examples cited are presented
for illustrative purposes only. Actual performance
results may vary depending on specific configurations
and operating conditions. THE INFORMATION IN
THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT
ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND ANY
WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF NON-INFRINGEMENT.
IBM products are warranted according to the terms
and conditions of the agreements under which they
are provided.
The client is responsible for ensuring compliance with
laws and regulations applicable to it. IBM does not
provide legal advice or represent or warrant that its
services or products will ensure that the client is in
compliance with any law or regulation.

1
DISCLAIMER: Performance result is extrapolated from IBM internal tests running local inference operations in an IBM
z16 LPAR with 48 IFLs and 128 GB memory on Ubuntu 20.04 (SMT mode) using a synthetic credit card fraud detection
model (https://github.com/IBM/ai-on-z-fraud-detection) exploiting the Integrated Accelerator for AI. The benchmark
was running with 8 parallel threads each pinned to the first core of a different chip. The lscpu command was used to
identify the core-chip topology. A batch size of 128 inference operations was used. Results were also reproduced using
a z/OS V2R4 LPAR with 24 CPs and 256GB memory on IBM z16. The same credit card fraud detection model was used.
The benchmark was executed with a single thread performing inference operations. A batch size of 128 inference
operations was used. Results may vary
2
DISCLAIMER: IBM z16 with the Crypto Express 8S card provides quantum- safe APIs providing access to quantum-
safe algorithms which have been selected as finalists during the PQC standardization process conducted by NIST.
https://csrc.nist.gov/Projects/post-quantum-cryptography/round-3- submissions. Quantum-safe cryptography
refers to efforts to identify algorithms that are resistant to attacks by both classical and quantum computers, to keep
information assets secure even after a large-scale quantum computer has been built. Source: https://www.etsi.org/
technologies/quantum-safe- cryptography.” These algorithms are used to help ensure the integrity of a number of
the firmware and boot processes. IBM z16 is the Industry-first system protected by quantum-safe technology across
multiple layers of firmware.
3
DISCLAIMER: The total cost of ownership and operating expense comparison illustrates the cost benefits of Tailored
Fit Pricing for IBM Z that can be achieved versus public cloud pricing structures for new and modernized enterprise
applications. The enterprise application in each scenario entails deploying a Java-based application and a relational
database. On z/OS, the Java application used WebSphere® and Db2® deployed on IBM z15. Each of the three public
cloud provider scenarios included a software stack comprised of a commercial database, database and systems
management tools, and WebSphere Hybrid Edition on the cloud. The workload is expected to grow 5% annually and
is assumed to require 50% production capacity at a remote facility to comply with government disaster recovery
regulations. Additional detail is published in Tailored Fit Pricing for IBM Z Offers Cost Effective Workload Growth
Compared to Three Public Cloud Examples, May 2021: https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/XAR2QOBD