OpenSolaris for System z

Last Updated on: 8th November 2023, 05:59 pm

Web site: distribution.sinenomine.net/opensolaris/
Origin: USA
Category: Server
Desktop environment: CLI
Platform: IBM System z
Based on: OpenSolaris
Wikipedia: OpenSolaris for System z
Media: Install DVD
The last version | Released: 20090330 | 2009

OpenSolaris for System z – a port of the OpenSolaris operating system to the IBM System z line of mainframe computers.

The systemz project, also known as “Sirius,” is a port of OpenSolaris to the IBM System z mainframe operating in z/VM mode.

Implementation Notes:
– The OpenSolaris kernel runs on z/Architecture machines in 64-bit mode only and conforms to the _LP64 data model. There is support for 32-bit applications.
– There are separate address spaces for kernel and user. The kernel operates in “primary space mode”, user in home and secondary. In the future, we may look at separating the stack and code into different address spaces to prevent stack overwrite attacks/errors.
– OpenSolaris on z/Architecture conforms to the same ABI as described for Linux on System z.
– OpenSolaris on z/Architecture assumes the presence of the z/VM hypervisor. It will use many of the features of the hypervisor to perform tasks such as: I/O to disk devices using the DIAG x’250′ facility. This will remove the need for the device driver to support extensive recovery, retry, and logging capabilities, as these will be performed by z/VM.
– Retrieving configuration information such as I/O devices present and memory size and configuration.
– Co-operative memory management to allow the hypervisor to communicate with the kernel so as to better manage system memory.
– Page fault handshaking that will enable the OpenSolaris kernel to dispatch another process when a memory fault is encountered and the page in question has been paged out by z/VM.

Several different components are required to build Sirius, OpenSolaris for IBM System z mainframes.
As is the case with the ON OpenSolaris consolidation, Sirius source components are also covered by multiple open source licenses.
The majority of the code is released under the Common Development and Distribution License (CDDL) Version 1.0.
Source based on existing open source projects will continue to be available under their current licenses.
Some binary components are covered under the OpenSolaris Binary License and some are covered under other open source licenses.
The OpenSolaris code released under the CDDL shall be governed by the laws of the State of California (excluding conflict-of-law provisions). Any litigation relating to this License shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts of the Northern District of California and the state courts of the State of California, with venue lying in Santa Clara County, California.

Requirements:
– A z9-or-later System z processor
– z/VM 5.3 or later
– A Layer 2 VSWITCH on your z/VM system
– Approximately 4000 cylinders of 3390 DASD (plus another 3390-3 used during installation as temporary storage)
– APAR 64466 and corresponding PTF UM32414 to enable Diag 2A8 support for the virtual OSA.

The project was under development between 2006 and 2010 by Sine Nomine Associates.


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