Installing on IBM Z

This section is intended for z/VM systems programmers responsible for operating the IBM Z mainframes. It assumes that you are a z/VM systems programmer trained on IBM Z operating protocols, and steps you through installing SUSE Manager onto an existing mainframe system. This section does not cover the variety of hardware configuration profiles available on IBM Z, but provides a foundational overview of the procedure and requirements necessary for a successful SUSE Manager Server deployment on IBM Z.

This section describes how to install SUSE Manager Server using SUSE Linux Enterprise installation media. You must have already registered your SUSE Manager product with SUSE Customer Center, and have obtained a registration code.

For information on registering with SUSE Customer Center, retrieving your organization credentials from SUSE Customer Center, or obtaining installation media, see General Requirements.

1. System Requirements

Before you begin, check that your environment meets the base system requirements.

Compatible IBM Z Systems:

  • IBM zEnterprise EC12

  • IBM zEnterprise EC12

  • IBM zEnterprise BC12

  • IBM z13

  • LinuxOne Rockhopper

  • LinuxOne Emperor

Table 1. Hardware Requirements
Hardware Recommended

CPU

Minimum 4 dedicated 64-bit CPU cores

RAM:

Test Server: Minimum 16 GB RAM and 2 GB Swap space

Base Installation: Minimum 16 GB

Production Server: Minimum 32 GB

Disk Space:

Root Partition: Minimum 100 GB

/var/lib/pgsql: Minimum 50 GB

/var/spacewalk: Minimum 50 GB per SUSE product and 360 GB per Red Hat product

Memory should be split across available RAM, VDISK, and swap to suit your environment. On a production system the ratio of physical memory to VDISK will need to be evaluated based on the number of clients you will be installing.

You will require an additional disk for database storage. This should be an zFCP or DASD device as these are preferred for use with HYPERPAV. The database storage disk should have:

  • At least 50 GB for /var/lib/pgsql

  • At least 50 GB for each SUSE product in /var/spacewalk

  • At least 360 GB for each Red Hat product in /var/spacewalk

You will need to ensure you have sufficient disk storage for SUSE Manager before running yast2 susemanager_setup. By default, the SUSE Manager file system, including the embedded database and patch directories, reside within the root directory. While adjustments are possible when installation is complete, it is important that you specify and monitor these adjustments closely. For information on storage management and reclaiming disk space, see the troubleshooting section in the SUSE Manager Administration Guide.

If your SUSE Manager runs out of disk space, this can have a severe impact on its database and file structure. A full recovery is only possible with a previous backup or a new SUSE Manager installation. SUSE technical services will not be able to provide support for systems suffering from low disk space conditions.
Network Requirements:

  • OSA Express Ethernet (including Fast and Gigabit Ethernet)

  • HiperSockets or Guest LAN

  • 10 GBE, VSWITCH

  • RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE)

These interfaces are still included but no longer supported:

  • CTC or virtual CTC

  • IP network interface for IUCV

The z/VM guest you want to run SUSE Manager from will require a static IP address and hostname before you begin, as these cannot easily be changed after initial installation. The hostname should contain less than eight characters and must not contain any upper case letters.

2. Install SUSE Manager on IBM Z

This section covers the installation of SUSE Manager as a product of the SUSE Linux Enterprise family. For general information about deploying a product on IBM Z hardware, see https://documentation.suse.com/sles/15-SP4/html/SLES-all/cha-zseries.html.

Procedure: Installing SUSE Manager Server from a DVD Image

  1. Boot your system with the Unified Installer. If booting fails you might need to adjust the boot order in the BIOS.

  2. When prompted, select Installation.

Then continue as described in Install SUSE Manager 4.3 Server.

To finalize the SUSE Manager installation see SUSE Manager Server Setup.