Wide range of choices
The z800 family of mainframes are comprised of ten general purpose models (0A1, 0B1, 0C1, 0X2, 0E1, 001, 0A2, 002, 003, 004), one Coupling Facility model (0CF) for creating Parallel Sysplex clusters, and one Dedicated Linux model (0LF). Thus, customers benefit from having access to a wide range of choices for initial entry and substantial growth opportunity from any point along the z800 system continuum.

All z800 models have a base 8GB central memory, which optionally can be increased to 16GB, 24GB or 32GB.

Optimised to satisfy the most mission-critical requirements for enterprise e-business transaction processing and data management, z800 servers can be configured in numerous ways for increased flexibility and rapid deployment of e-business solutions.

Flexible and open
The IBM  brand is about uncompromising flexibility in selecting, building and deploying the applications that a business needs. Toward that end, IBM offers the industry's broadest range of platforms and operating systems.

IBM is committed to industry-standard, cross-platform technologies—such as Java™, XML, HTML, SOAP and UDDI—that are at the heart of a flexible e-business infrastructure. Support for these standards in key middleware—including DB2 Universal Database™, WebSphere® Application Server and MQSeries®— means a company won't be locked into a single platform as its business grows. As a result customers always have the flexibility to deploy applications in a cost-effective way. z800 servers offer technology leadership to meet current business needs and the availability, security and flexibility to grow as other requirements develop.

For example, some z800 servers have the flexibility to concurrently run multiple types of workload, including massive growth capabilities within the z800 product line. The z800 model 0E1, as standard equipment, has one general purpose engine for running traditional workloads and one Integrated Facility for Linux (IFL) engine to run Linux workloads.

The latest zSeries enhancement is the Fibre Channel support of Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) devices, Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP). Initially in limited availability, FCP enables Linux environments to attach select industry-standard SCSI storage devices to the zSeries with multi-switch full fabric support.

Dedicated Linux model
IBM has extended its commitment to the open application environment by introducing the zSeries Offering for Linux. Included in this offering are the z800 Model 0LF, memory, channels, OSA-Express features, one-year warranty, two years of service and z/VM with three years of service. One to four engines can be enabled as Integrated Facility for Linux engines. This provides customers with outstanding flexibility for the rapid deployment of Linux solutions.