IBM has unveiled new configurations for its IBM z17 and IBM LinuxONE 5 systems, introducing rack-mounted options alongside single-frame models across its entire Z and LinuxONE portfolio for the first time.
The expanded product range is designed to provide organisations with greater flexibility in deploying mission-critical workloads while enhancing performance, scalability and artificial intelligence (AI) integration.
The new configurations support up to 82 processor cores and 18TB of memory across two processor drawers, representing a roughly 20 per cent increase in core count and a 12 per cent increase in memory capacity compared with previous offerings.
According to IBM, the single-processor IBM z17 ME2 delivers up to 10 per cent higher throughput per core than the IBM z16 A02, although actual performance will vary depending on workload and system configuration.
The latest portfolio includes the IBM z17 in both single-frame and rack-mounted versions, as well as the IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper 5 in single-frame and rack-mounted configurations.
IBM has also introduced an 18U IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper 5 Express model, a compact system designed for organisations running a smaller number of workloads.
Alongside the hardware announcements, IBM introduced new software and security capabilities aimed at simplifying infrastructure management and modernising enterprise applications.
IBM Infrastructure Management for Z and LinuxONE will add support for Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code automation, enabling organisations to automate the deployment and management of their systems.
Meanwhile, IBM COBOL Elevate for z/OS is designed to help businesses modernise COBOL applications running on IBM z17 without requiring extensive code rewrites.
IBM has also made post-quantum cryptography a standard feature across the IBM z17 and IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper 5 platforms, strengthening protection against future cyber threats.
In addition, the company unveiled IBM Crypto Discovery and Inventory capabilities, which provide enterprises with greater visibility into their cryptographic assets and overall security posture.
Commenting on the announcement, Tom McPherson, General Manager of IBM Z and LinuxONE, said organisations are facing increasing pressure as the volume of mission-critical workloads continues to grow.
”The number of mission-critical workloads is rising at an incredible pace, forcing organisations to make tough decisions about performance, AI integration and infrastructure footprint,” McPherson said.
IBM said the new IBM z17 and IBM LinuxONE 5 configurations will become generally available on 12 August 2026.
IBM Infrastructure Management for IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE is scheduled for release on 14 August, while IBM COBOL Elevate for z/OS is expected to become generally available on 18 September 2026.
