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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallIBM is adding ways for IBM Z and LinuxONE systems to use high-speed Ethernet, RDMA and shared adapter hardware as part of broader enterprise networks. The options include a reported 100 GbE adapter and Network Express, a separate converged adapter supporting 10G to 25G. The shift reflects IBM’s view that AI applications and data will span mainframes, cloud platforms and accelerators—not that every workload will run on one system.
Why IBM is changing mainframe networking
IBM is positioning its mainframes as participants in standard Ethernet and IP networks, with additional options for higher throughput and lower-latency I/O. That matters as organizations connect mainframe workloads with cloud environments, distributed applications, storage and AI infrastructure.
Andrew Crimmins, IBM master inventor and principal product manager for IBM Z, told Network World that the strategy is to make IBM Z “a deeply integrated part of a client’s broader hybrid infrastructure,” while improving bandwidth, latency and I/O capacity. Analyst Steven Dickens of HyperFRAME Research described the direction as making the mainframe “just another part of the modern networking environment.” These are strategic assessments, not independent measurements of performance.
Moving I/O work off the host
One part of the approach is data processing unit (DPU) technology: purpose-built hardware that takes on I/O processing rather than leaving all of that work to the main system. IBM product manager Crimmins described the aim as handling network and storage demands more efficiently. Network World also reports that removing ASICs from I/O cards enabled higher-port-density cards for protocols such as Fibre Channel and FICON; in some configurations, that can reduce the number of cards and I/O drawers.
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#1 Best Overall
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Which IBM Z networking options are described?
The options serve different purposes. In particular, the 100 GbE adapter and Network Express are distinct configurations; their speeds and features should not be combined into a single specification.
| Option | Reported connectivity | What distinguishes it |
|---|---|---|
| 100 GbE adapter for IBM Z and LinuxONE | Two 100 GbE ports; QSFP SR optics. | Network World describes the adapter as plugging directly into the Central Processor Complex drawer, avoiding an external I/O drawer for this high-speed network connection. |
| Network Express | 10G to 25G transmission; single-mode LR/LX and multimode SR/SX fiber are described. | A converged adapter combining OSA Ethernet, RoCE/RDMA and Coupling Express 3 Long Reach functions. It uses Enhanced Queued Direct I/O (EQDIO) for Ethernet traffic handling. |
| Coupling Express 3 Long Reach | Two Ethernet-based ports; speed is not stated (Network World). | Designed for long-distance coupling connections, including remote operations. |
These descriptions come from Network World’s report, which draws on IBM product management. They are not a complete configuration or compatibility matrix. Adapter, system generation, optic, fiber type and reach all matter; the report does not establish that every combination is supported.
What Network Express consolidates—and what that does not imply
Network Express brings conventional OSA Ethernet, RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) and Coupling Express 3 Long Reach functions onto one physical adapter. RDMA can support direct data transfers between systems with less intervention by the CPU than conventional networking paths. The shared adapter is a consolidation option: it does not establish that every function can run on every port at once, or that every optical configuration works with every deployment.
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IBM’s broader direction, as described by Crimmins, is to move from multiple specialized adapters toward shared Ethernet-based I/O that can support both ordinary IP networking and high-performance RDMA. The practical value depends on the connections a system needs, the supported adapter configuration and how the organization separates or manages traffic.
How the networking changes fit IBM’s AI strategy
IBM frames enterprise AI as distributed across mainframes, cloud platforms, accelerators and other infrastructure. Crimmins told Network World: “Enterprise AI will rarely operate on one platform alone. Models, applications, and data will be distributed across mainframes, cloud platforms, accelerators and other infrastructure.”
IBM’s stated rationale for running AI near IBM Z transactional data is to avoid unnecessary data movement and support faster decisions and stronger data governance. Those are IBM’s intended benefits, not independently verified outcomes. Networking matters in this model because workloads may need to exchange data across systems even when inference or transaction processing stays close to the mainframe.
Rank #3
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- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
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What IBM announced for z17 in July 2026
In a July 7, 2026 announcement, IBM expanded the z17 portfolio with single-frame and rack-mount systems. IBM says the expanded portfolio offers up to 20% more capacity than z16; this is IBM’s portfolio comparison, not a universal performance result.
IBM also says its testing found up to four times fewer cores for specified AI-infused OLTP workloads on OpenShift compared with similar workloads on x86. That is a vendor-reported result tied to the stated workload and platform comparison; it is not an independent benchmark or a general claim about all AI workloads. The announcement says z17’s Telum II processor enables real-time AI inference in transaction processing and that Spyre Accelerator support can extend capabilities to generative and agentic AI workloads.
Networking operations and security tools
Topology visibility and automation
Network World reports that IBM Infrastructure Management for Z and LinuxONE includes I/O Topology Visualization, which maps physical and logical I/O connections among systems, adapters, fabrics, switches and endpoints. Crimmins said customers had often built such diagrams manually and described the first release as delivered; additional roadmap features were future plans at the time of the interview.
Rank #4
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
The report also describes IBM Infrastructure Manager and the IBM Terraform package as tools for configuring I/O resources and logical partitions, with support for automation practices such as Ansible playbooks. Crimmins said IBM Infrastructure Management for IBM Z and LinuxONE had recently become generally available at the time of that interview. IBM’s July 2026 z17 announcement also mentions OpenTelemetry support and enhanced I/O topology visualization.
Threat monitoring and micro-segmentation
Network World reports that IBM’s summer 2026 zSecure Detection rollout for z/OS combines threat monitoring, network insights, AI-driven access-anomaly detection and automated response. The reported package includes network micro-segmentation that can generate policies based on observed network behavior. IBM presents these capabilities as ways to limit unnecessary connectivity and lateral movement; the report does not establish independently measured security outcomes.
Hybrid Cloud Mesh status
IBM has separately described Hybrid Cloud Mesh capabilities for Z modernization, federated AI and location-independent application networking. Its announcement said features for VM migration, Z modernization and federated AI were in public preview when that announcement was published. That status should not be read as a statement of current availability.
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
What infrastructure teams should verify before choosing
The reported capabilities establish a direction, not a complete bill of materials. Before planning a deployment, confirm the configuration with IBM or the organization’s IBM systems provider:
- Which IBM Z or LinuxONE generation and system configuration are in scope, and whether the specific adapter is supported.
- Whether the requirement is standard Ethernet/IP, RoCE/RDMA, long-distance coupling, or a combination—and which functions must share hardware.
- The supported port speeds, optic type, fiber mode and reach for the exact adapter and connection.
- Whether a proposed 100 GbE configuration uses the described Central Processor Complex drawer placement, and what that means for the installation’s I/O layout.
- Which topology, automation, observability and security tools are available for the intended software level and deployment.
The published material does not provide a complete price, power, part-number or compatibility matrix, nor independent networking benchmarks. IBM’s claims and the reported product descriptions are useful for identifying options, but configuration decisions require system-specific confirmation.
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