[Info-vax] CentOS has been effectively killed for production use

[Dennis Boone]

Dave, I think you've missed some things:

 > Well lets look at the definitive "Principles of Operations". This is the 
 > bible for what the hardware does. (you will need an IBM ID to read this 
 > but they are free)

 > it goes into great detail on how to test the processor type but no where 
 > does it mention any difference in the instructions implemented.

First, giving away the details of the implementation would not be the
best customer control move.  I'm sure just saying something is missing
isn't the whole story.

Second, the features "depended on" (possibly actually used, maybe just
tested for) by z/OS don't have to be a documented part of the
architecture at all.

 > All PUs on a z14 server are physically identical. When the system is 
 > initialized, one integrated firmware processor (IFP) is allocated from 
 > the pool of PUs that is available for the entire system. The other PUs 
 > can be characterized to specific functions (CP, IFL, ICF, zIIP, or SAP).

 > The function that is assigned to a PU is set by the Licensed Internal 
 > Code (LIC). The LIC is  loaded when the system is initialized at 
 > power-on reset (POR) and the PUs are characterized. Only characterized 
 > PUs include a designated function. Non-characterized PUs are considered 
 > spares. Order at least one CP, IFL, or ICF on a z14 server.

Yes, the silicon is supposedly identical, and I see no reason to doubt
that.  Various things I've read over the years indicate that the silicon
is fairly strongly related to the Power architecture.

The above doesn't support your contention.  It says that the LIC
("microcode") is different for different types of engines.  That means
that different engines have different behaviors in execution.  Remember
that 370 family machines have effectively been emulators since the early
70s.

I've heard the VM will actually run on an IFL.  z/OS is the crown
jewels. :)

De