# IBM Launches Compact z17 and LinuxONE Systems to Address Data Center Space and Cost Constraints

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/ibm-launches-compact-z17-and-linuxone-systems-to-address-data-center-space-and-cost-constraints
- Published: 2026-07-07T17:00:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

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_Powerful single frame and rack mount systems and new AI and automation software
upgrades for IBM Z and LinuxONE 5 help enterprises deploy workloads with more flexibility_

ARMONK, N.Y., July 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: [IBM](https://www.ibm.com/investor))
today announces new IBM z17 and IBM LinuxONE 5 configurations, marking the first
time IBM is offering rack mount alongside single frame systems across its full Z
and LinuxONE portfolio. The expanded IBM z17 and LinuxONE 5 portfolios now offer
a wide range of deployment options, engineered with the same flagship performance,
security, and ecosystem standards. New single frame and rack mount options provide
additional ways for organizations to position their infrastructure where it fits
best for their business needs, helping support flexibility and operational efficiency.

[⌊LinuxONE 5 Single Frame System⌉⌊LinuxONE 5 Single Frame System⌉[
LinuxONE 5 Single
Frame System

Organizations processing highly sensitive workloads at scale are facing record-low
data center vacancy and rental rates exceeding $400 per kW/month, according to [CBRE’s 2026 Global Data Center Trend Report](https://www.cbre.com/insights/reports/global-data-center-trends-2026).
^(1) At the same time, they need infrastructure that can optimize their data center
footprint while prioritizing the resilience required for their core applications.
Enterprises can use IBM z17 and LinuxONE 5 rack mount and single frame systems to
address these challenges, optimizing their data center real estate to meet today’s
realities. 

"The number of mission-critical workloads is rising at an incredible pace, forcing
organizations to make tough decisions about performance, AI integration, and infrastructure
footprint," said **Tom McPherson, General Manager, IBM Z and LinuxONE**. "With these
new IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE systems, we’re making it easier to run workloads where
they make the most sense, while opening the door for a wider range of organizations
to benefit from these technologies for the first time."

**New Systems Built for Data Center FlexibilityThe new IBM z17 and IBM LinuxONE 
5 configurations support up to 82 cores and 18 TB of memory across two processor
drawers, representing about a 20% increase in core count and 12% increase in memory
capacity. Single processor capacity of IBM z17 ME2 provides full speed IBM z/OS 
configurations including 10% greater throughput per core than IBM z16 A02 with some
variation based on workload and configuration.^(2)

Clients have the flexibility to co-locate IBM and non-IBM equipment to achieve the
best fit-for-purpose installation in their data center. Each system is designed 
to help organizations reclaim space, improve energy efficiency, and integrate seamlessly
into existing environments:

 ◦ **IBM z17 single frame** is a fully packaged solution in an IBM rack and intelligent
   power distribution units (iPDUs), delivered as a complete enclosed unit ready
   to deploy, now with the added flexibility for clients to co-locate other technologies
   within the frame.
 ◦ **IBM z17 rack mount** allows clients to install IBM Z components directly into
   their own industry-standard rack, with built-in flexibility for co-location with
   other technologies.
 ◦ **IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper 5** is the scalable, multi-drawer LinuxONE system for
   high-density workloads, with on-chip AI acceleration, confidential computing,
   and post- quantum cryptography available in both single frame and rack mount 
   configurations.
 ◦ **IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper 5 rack mount and Express offerings** deliver enterprise-
   grade Linux, confidential computing, and on-chip AI acceleration in a compact
   18U configuration. Designed for organizations supporting a smaller set of workloads,
   the offering provides a cost-efficient entry point that can scale as business
   grows, while prioritizing security, resiliency, and performance.

As with the rest of the IBM z17 and LinuxONE 5 portfolio announced last year, the
single frame and rack mount systems deliver advanced multi-model AI inferencing 
through the IBM Telum® II processor, Red Hat OpenShift AI and the IBM Spyre™ Accelerator
to deliver in-transaction predictive AI and generative AI.

**Maximizing Business Value at the CoreBuilding on the flexibility of IBM Z and 
IBM LinuxONE systems, IBM is announcing new software and management capabilities
designed to help clients simplify infrastructure operations, reduce the skills required
to run the platform, and get more value from the workloads already running their
business.

 ◦ **IBM Infrastructure Management for Z and LinuxON****E **brings together provisioning,
   configuration, and operations together. Enterprises can now leverage Terraform
   and widely adopted Infrastructure-as-Code that are engineered to automate infrastructure
   deployments, and orchestrate configurations in a unified user interface with 
   a simple visual I/O topology and configuration while addressing the number of
   specialists required.
 ◦ **IBM COBOL Elevate for z/OS **is built to simplify modernization and optimize
   performance for COBOL applications running on IBM z17, helping clients get more
   value from the applications they depend on with no rewrites or specialized skills
   required, with availability beginning September 18.
 ◦ **Post-quantum cryptography security is now standard** on z17 and LinuxONE Rockhopper
   5 systems, leveraging [post-quantum cryptography](https://www.nist.gov/pqc), 
   confidential computing, and enterprise-wide secrets management.
 ◦ **New IBM Crypto Discovery & Inventory capabilities **are engineered to simplify
   security operations by giving security teams a consolidated view of their cryptographic
   posture across the enterprise, helping them prepare for post-quantum standards
   with end-to-end visibility.

"With the emergence of generative AI methods, we need the highest levels of performance,
efficiency, resiliency and security to safely hold, and process the sensitive datasets,"
said **Dr. Owain Kenway, Head of Research and Development (Platform Technologies)
in ARC at University College London**. "The new IBM LinuxONE 5 single frame, rack
mount, and Express models enable organizations like us to access advanced technologies
at cost-effective prices, and help our academic teams deliver outstanding research."

**Availability**

The new z17 single frame and rack mount configurations, IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper 
5, and IBM LinuxONE 5 Express will all be generally available August 12, 2026. IBM
Infrastructure Management for IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE will be generally available
August 14, 2026. IBM COBOL Elevate for z/OS will be generally available September
18, 2026. For more information, visit [https://www.ibm.com/products/z17](https://www.ibm.com/products/z17)
and [https://www.ibm.com/products/linuxone-5](https://www.ibm.com/products/linuxone-5).

_Statements regarding IBM’s future direction and intent are subject __to change 
or withdrawal without notice, and represent goals and objectives only._

Disclaimer:

 1. CBRE’s 2026 Global Data Center Trend Report.
 2. Based on internal measurements. Results may vary by customer based on
    individual
    workload, configuration and software levels. Visit LSPR website for more details
    at: [www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-z-large-systems-performance-reference](https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-z-large-systems-performance-reference)

**About IBMIBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting
expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from
their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive
edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical
infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare
rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital
transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations
in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver
open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing
commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

**Additional Sources**

 ◦ [New z17 capabilities blog](https://www.ibm.com/new/announcements/expanding-ibm-z17-bringing-ai-at-scale-to-more-enterprise-environments)
 ◦ [New LinuxONE capabilities blog](https://www.ibm.com/new/announcements/introducing-linuxone-rockhopper-5-and-linuxone-5-express)
 ◦ [Security blog](https://community.ibm.com/community/user/blogs/kelly-pushong/2026/07/07/enterprise-grade-security)
 ◦ [z17 Ecosystem & Skills blog](https://community.ibm.com/community/user/blogs/meredith-stowell1/2026/07/07/linuxone-innovating-for-a-sovereign-future)

**Media contacts:** 

Marshall Hampson
IBM Infrastructure Communications[Marshall.hampson@ibm.com](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/Marshall.hampson@ibm.com)

Aishwerya Paul
IBM Infrastructure Communications[Aish.Paul@ibm.com](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/Aish.Paul@ibm.com)

[⌊z17 Single Frame System.⌉⌊z17 Single Frame System.⌉[
z17 Single Frame System.

 

[⌊IBM Corporation logo.⌉⌊IBM Corporation logo.⌉[
IBM Corporation logo.

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