IBM is adding the z17 single frame and a rack mount bundle to its z17 product family. The new configurations are designed to help companies integrate AI faster into critical workloads while further improving security and compliance.
IBM is expanding its z17 family of mainframe products with a single frame and a rack mount bundle. In addition to the existing multi-frame system, a more compact single frame version and a rack mount variant are now available, aimed at organizations looking to combine critical transaction processing and AI workloads within the same environment. In this way, IBM aims to make its z17 line more broadly accessible.
Real-time AI
Like the rest of the z17 family, the new systems focus on real-time AI, for both transactional and generative applications, directly on the platform where the sensitive data resides. As a result, companies need to move less data to external environments, which increases control over critical data.
According to IBM, a single Integrated Accelerator for AI on an OLTP workload on the z17 ME2 achieves the same throughput as a comparable external x86 server with 21 cores. Using a deep learning model for credit card fraud detection, the system processes up to 2.5 million inference operations per second, with a response time of 1 ms. However, IBM has not yet shared specific specifications for the new offering.
In addition to AI capabilities, IBM also emphasizes the security enhancements of the z17 family. The systems are designed to support organizations with compliance requirements and simplify operations within mission-critical environments.
Both the IBM z17 ME2 single frame system and the IBM z17 MER rack mount bundle will be available for order starting August 12.