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Free Software Stack on Z series ?

PostPosted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:35 pm
by HalfMadDad
Hi Everyone

This is my first post here.

I am just getting started with mainframes.

I am starting to read about Linux on the Mainframe but I am wondering about something.

Virtualisation is everything on the mainframe. When Linux is running on a Z series mainframe, is it virtualized with proprietary software or is the whole stack actually free software?

Thanks

Re: Free Software Stack on Z series ?

PostPosted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 9:22 pm
by enrico-sorichetti
zLinux is supported natively, NO virtualisation stack is necessary

Re: Free Software Stack on Z series ?

PostPosted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 9:58 pm
by Robert Sample
z/VM can be used to run multiple instances of Linux in an LPAR, or you can use the IFL LPAR to run the Linux system natively (z/VM also runs on IFL LPARs).

Re: Free Software Stack on Z series ?

PostPosted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 10:26 pm
by HalfMadDad
Thanks Enrico and Robert!

I am so excited about this! You just bought yourselves another mainframe disciple!

Re: Free Software Stack on Z series ?

PostPosted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 1:31 am
by steve-myers
Virtualization on IBM mainframes was possible since CP67 on the 360/67 in the late 1960s. It started to become more common in the early 1980s, and was a defined feature by the late 1980s when IBM started with the PR/SM "hardware" feature, though in fact it was VM/370 hiding in the hardware. So IBM has been doing virtualization for nearly 40 years!