IBM System z Application Assist Processor (zAAP)

The IBM System z Application Assist Processor (zAAP) is a specialty engine that provides a performance environment for Web-based apps and service-oriented architecture-based technologies, such as XML and Java.

zAAP is available on all IBM zEnterprise EC12, IBM zEnterprise, IBM System z10, and IBM System z9 servers.Designed to function asynchronously with all-purpose purpose processors to implement Java programming under the IBM JVM, zAAP helps lessen the demands and capacity requirements on such processors. In turn, the processors may then be accessible for redistributing to other mainframe workloads. To increase all-purpose processor productivity, configure zAAP with logical partitions running z/OS. This may also help decrease the cost of computing for z/OS Java technology-based apps.

IBM has two other specialty engines: IFL and zIIP. The IFL is a processor that runs Linux workloads on IBM System z servers and can increase processing capacity. The zIIp processor helps improve computing performance for a subset of mainframe workloads. zAAP-eligible workloads may also run on zIIP. The combination of the specialty engines is cost-effective and simplifies processes.