Hardware
IFLs (Integrated Facility for Linux) are mainframe processors dedicated to running Linux, either natively or under z/VM. Microcode restricts IFLs from running "traditional" workloads, such as z/OS; they are otherwise identical to other System z processors. z/OS software vendors do not typically charge for IFL capacity, and IFLs are less expensive than general purpose engines (Central Processors, or CPs). Consequently businesses and governments can easily expand their mainframe Linux installations without affecting most of their software license charges. Although Linux can technically operate on both CPs and IFLs, IFLs simply cost less.
Linux on System z is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, with the 32-bit versions rapidly losing favor as z/Architecture mainframes become more prevalent than the earlier ESA/390 generation. The 64-bit distributions can still run 32-bit applications. The Linux 2.6.x kernel added substantial support for mainframe hardware, such as ESCON, FICON, SCSI-attached storage devices, and System z cryptographic accelerators. Also several vendor distributions backported 2.6.x patches to the Linux 2.4.x kernel.
Read more about this topic: Linux On System Z
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