Integrated Facility for Linux
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The '''Integrated Facility for Linux''' (IFL) is an [[IBM mainframe]] processor dedicated to running the [[Linux]] operating system, with or without [[VM (operating system)|z/VM]]. IFLs are one of three types of mainframe processors expressly designed to reduce software costs. (The other types are [[zAAP]] for JAVA code and [[zIIP]] for DB2.) [[Microcode]] restricts IFLs to Linux workload. As with [[zAAP]]s and [[zIIP]]s IFLs are not specifically optimized to run [[Linux]] faster or better.
IBM introduced IFLs on [[September 29]], [[2000]]. At the same time, IBM introduced a special Linux-only VM-like product, called the S/390 Virtual Image Facility for Linux, to cater to IT staff previously unfamiliar with IBM mainframes. IBM soon discovered that [[z/VM]] was not too difficult for new IT staff to learn (and worked better), so IBM discontinued S/390 Virtual Image Facility for Linux in April 2002.
IFLs are available for all IBM mainframes as far back as the G5 series. [[Fujitsu]] and [[Hitachi, Ltd.|Hitachi]] also offered IFLs on certain models. An IFL is not required to run Linux — Linux runs on general purpose processors (CPs) as well. IFLs simply cost less.
== See also ==
*[[Linux on System z]]
== External links ==
*[http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/zseries/os/linux/ifl.html IBM IFL]
[[Category:IBM mainframe technology]]
[[de:Integrated Facility for Linux]]