z/CECSIM: An efficient and comprehensive microcode simulator For the IBM eServer z900

摘要

An IBM eServes zSeries~TM system uses various types of microcode(firmware) that implement functions such as the execution of complex instructions in the CUPs, I/O operations performed by the system assist processors(SAPs), the management of logical partitions(LPARs), and control by the support element(SE). Each microcode component must be verified by itself and in conjunction with the others. Tight development schedules and a very limited supply of expensive engineering hardware make it desirable to perform this verification in a simulation environment. For the development of the z900, a new microcode simulator, the z/CECSIM (Central Electronic Complex Simulator), was successfully implemented.