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== Summary ==
== Summary ==
<!-- A sentence or two summarizing what this change is and what it will do. This information is used for the overall changeset summary page for each release. Note that motivation for the change should be in the Benefit to Fedora section below, and this part should answer the question "What?" rather than "Why?". -->
<!-- A sentence or two summarizing what this change is and what it will do. This information is used for the overall changeset summary page for each release. Note that motivation for the change should be in the Benefit to Fedora section below, and this part should answer the question "What?" rather than "Why?". -->
we want to move the minimal architecture level for IBM Z hardware (the s390x architecture) to z13 to benefit from the new features. The current minimum at zEC12 is targeting hardware that has been already obsoleted by the vendor. All Fedora infrastructure is already using the latest z15 hardware (builders and co and also our public resources for developers). But we still want to be able to use existing z13 and z14 hardware.
Move the minimal architecture level for IBM Z hardware (the s390x architecture) to z13 to benefit from the new features and better performance in the newer CPU.


== Owner ==
== Owner ==
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* Targeted release: [[Releases/36 | Fedora Linux 36 ]]  
* Targeted release: [[Releases/37 | Fedora Linux 37 ]]  
* Last updated: <!-- this is an automatic macro — you don't need to change this line -->  {{REVISIONYEAR}}-{{REVISIONMONTH}}-{{REVISIONDAY2}}  
* Last updated: <!-- this is an automatic macro — you don't need to change this line -->  {{REVISIONYEAR}}-{{REVISIONMONTH}}-{{REVISIONDAY2}}  
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== Detailed Description ==
== Detailed Description ==
<!-- Expand on the summary, if appropriate.  A couple sentences suffices to explain the goal, but the more details you can provide the better. -->
<!-- Expand on the summary, if appropriate.  A couple sentences suffices to explain the goal, but the more details you can provide the better. -->
Moving the minimal architecture level for IBM Z hardware (the s390x architecture) to z13 allows us to benefit from the new features and better performance in the newer CPU. The current minimum at zEC12 is targeting hardware that has been already obsoleted by the vendor. All Fedora infrastructure is already using the latest z15 hardware (builders and co and also our public resources for developers). But we still want to be able to use existing z13 and z14 hardware. Also the TCG (full-system/non-KVM) emulation in QEMU already allows running distros built with z13 as the baseline architecture. This change means updating the defaults in gcc and the build flags and in the kernel.


== Feedback ==
== Feedback ==
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     https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/perl5.26 (major upgrade to a popular software stack, visible to users of that stack)
     https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/perl5.26 (major upgrade to a popular software stack, visible to users of that stack)
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The primary benefit is being able to exploit vector instructions by default, which should increase performance.
The primary benefit is being able to exploit vector instructions by default, which should increase performance. Plus take advantage of other architectural improvements.


== Scope ==
== Scope ==
* Proposal owners:
* Proposal owners:
<!-- What work do the feature owners have to accomplish to complete the feature in time for release?  Is it a large change affecting many parts of the distribution or is it a very isolated change? What are those changes?-->
<!-- What work do the feature owners have to accomplish to complete the feature in time for release?  Is it a large change affecting many parts of the distribution or is it a very isolated change? What are those changes?-->
** update the minimal hardware level in the kernel config
** update the minimal hardware level in the kernel config to z13
** set default compiler flags to -mcpu=z13 -mtune=z14 in redhat-rpm-config and gcc
** set default compiler flags to <tt>-march=z13 -mtune=z14</tt> in <tt>redhat-rpm-config</tt> and <tt>gcc</tt>


* Other developers: <!-- REQUIRED FOR SYSTEM WIDE CHANGES -->
* Other developers: <!-- REQUIRED FOR SYSTEM WIDE CHANGES -->
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3. What are the expected results of those actions?
3. What are the expected results of those actions?
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You shouldn't be able to start Fedora Linux 36 on system older than z13.
You shouldn't be able to start Fedora Linux 37 on system older than z13.


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Release Notes are not required for initial draft of the Change Proposal but has to be completed by the Change Freeze.  
Release Notes are not required for initial draft of the Change Proposal but has to be completed by the Change Freeze.  
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Starting with Fedora Linux 36 the minimal hardware level for the s390x architecture has been updated to z13.
Starting with Fedora Linux 37 the minimal hardware level for the s390x architecture has been updated to z13.

Revision as of 08:52, 15 July 2022


z13 as the Baseline for IBM Z Hardware

Summary

Move the minimal architecture level for IBM Z hardware (the s390x architecture) to z13 to benefit from the new features and better performance in the newer CPU.

Owner


Current status

  • Targeted release: Fedora Linux 37
  • Last updated: 2022-07-15
  • FESCo issue: <will be assigned by the Wrangler>
  • Tracker bug: <will be assigned by the Wrangler>
  • Release notes tracker: <will be assigned by the Wrangler>

Detailed Description

Moving the minimal architecture level for IBM Z hardware (the s390x architecture) to z13 allows us to benefit from the new features and better performance in the newer CPU. The current minimum at zEC12 is targeting hardware that has been already obsoleted by the vendor. All Fedora infrastructure is already using the latest z15 hardware (builders and co and also our public resources for developers). But we still want to be able to use existing z13 and z14 hardware. Also the TCG (full-system/non-KVM) emulation in QEMU already allows running distros built with z13 as the baseline architecture. This change means updating the defaults in gcc and the build flags and in the kernel.


Feedback

Benefit to Fedora

The primary benefit is being able to exploit vector instructions by default, which should increase performance. Plus take advantage of other architectural improvements.

Scope

  • Proposal owners:
    • update the minimal hardware level in the kernel config to z13
    • set default compiler flags to -march=z13 -mtune=z14 in redhat-rpm-config and gcc
  • Other developers:

none

  • Policies and guidelines: N/A (not needed for this Change)
  • Trademark approval: N/A (not needed for this Change)
  • Alignment with Objectives:

Upgrade/compatibility impact

Users with hardware older than z13 should stick with F35 or older release.


How To Test

You shouldn't be able to start Fedora Linux 37 on system older than z13.


User Experience

The primary difference will be in the availability of the vector instructions and as a result better performance.

Dependencies

Contingency Plan

  • Contingency mechanism: (What to do? Who will do it?) N/A (not a System Wide Change)
  • Contingency deadline: N/A (not a System Wide Change)
  • Blocks release? N/A (not a System Wide Change), Yes/No


Documentation

N/A (not a System Wide Change)

Release Notes

Starting with Fedora Linux 37 the minimal hardware level for the s390x architecture has been updated to z13.