IBM z14: Improved datacenter characteristics, energy efficiency, and packaging innovation

The IBM z14 mainframe provides significant improvements in datacenter physical characteristics, flexibility, robustness, energy efficiency, and modeling capability relative to its predecessor, the IBM z13. In this paper, we consider these improvements in the context of the latest trends in the commercial datacenter and describe the innovations in packaging, controls, testing, modeling, and tools that enabled them. The z14 supports the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers class A3 maximum air-inlet temperature of 40 °C, versus 35 °C for the IBM z13. Water-cooled models have increased maximum inlet water temperature. A maximum-configuration IBM z14 delivers 23% or more traditional compute capacity per watt than the z13. The z14 offers a cover set option that has a total system depth of 1.486 m versus 1.87 m for z13, which is much closer to the 1.20-m depth of many datacenter racks. The z14 has a high level of physical robustness with respect to shipping and operating shock and vibration, as well as earthquakes. We discuss how this robustness was achieved through design, modeling, and testing. We also review the capabilities of tooling to accurately estimate system power, weight, and airflow, as well as the heat extracted to water in the water-cooled systems.