INTRO TO IBM Z SYSTEMS

Question 1

Computer Architecture Def?

Answer 1

Set of rules and methods that describe the functionality, organization, and implementation of the computer system.

Question 2

What does software design include?

Answer 2

Compiler, Firmware, Operating System, Applications

Question 3

Two categories of Software design?

Answer 3

Application Software and System Software

Question 4

Attributes of Firmware

Answer 4

Read only memory, comes from factory associated with hardware, does not change unless problem or update, Provides common set of methods for operating system

Question 5

Compiler Function

Answer 5

Takes source code and compiles into something the machine can run (one-direction)

Question 6

What is ISA and what does it do?

Answer 6

Instruction Set Architecture, Bridges gap between software and hardware, Contains and lists every function processor is capable of.

Question 7

What does hardware design include?

Answer 7

Physical, Circuit, Digital, Data Path Control, Instruction set procedures and I/O system.

Question 8

What does the processor interact with to communicate with the software?

Answer 8

The ISA (Instruction Set Architecture)

Question 9

What is the Flow of an Application from software to hardware?

Answer 9

Compiler –> Application –> Operating System –> ISA –> Hardware (Processor)

Question 10

Where is AUX storage kept?

Answer 10

DASD (Direct Access Storage Device)

Question 11

What is memory on the mainframe referred to as? What does it include?

Answer 11

Storage. On chip and AUX memory.

Question 12

Address Space Definition

Answer 12

A map of storage that is made available to users and applications

Question 13

What are pages?

Answer 13

Memory placed in four kilobyte chunks

Question 14

What do pages occupy when in central storage?

Answer 14

A frame

Question 15

What do pages occupy when in AUX storage?

Answer 15

A slot

Question 16

What is the term when OS moves slot to frame or vice versa?

Answer 16

Paging

Question 17

What is a Logical Partition?

Answer 17

An LPAR is a subset of the processor hardware that is defined to support an operating system and operates as an independent system.

Question 18

What Resources can be found in an LPAR?

Answer 18

Central Processor (CP), System Assist Processor (SAP), Integrated Facility Linux (IFL), IBM Z Systems Integrated Information Processor for Linux (zIIP)

Question 19

CP Function?

Answer 19

Central Processor, Runs the operating system and applications

Question 20

SAP Function?

Answer 20

System Assist Processor Helps link CP to I/O, Handles paging and data transfer to allow CP to focus on business applications.

Question 21

IFL Function?

Answer 21

Processor built for Linux on mainframe

Question 22

zIIP Function?

Answer 22

IBM z Systems Integrated Information Processor for Linux, Main function to offload work.

Question 23

What are I/O adapters?

Answer 23

Channel Path Identifiers (CHPIDS)

Question 24

What are CHPIDS associated with?

Answer 24

PCHID (Physical Channel ID), Logical subsystem

Question 25

What is a PCHID?

Answer 25

Physical Channel ID, a physical port location

Question 26

What is a logical subsystem?

Answer 26

The connection between the LPAR and I/O devices or other LPARs

Question 27

CHPID Attribute?

Answer 27

Can be dedicated to one LPAR in an unshared logical connection or Shared by multiple LPARS in a configured span

Question 28

What is a z/VM?

Answer 28

Virtual Machine, System that specializes in virtualization

Question 29

What type is a z/ VM?

Answer 29

A type 1 hypervisor, meaning it does not need to sit on top of another operating system