Last Updated: 11 March 2024

z/VM Continuous Delivery News

Upcoming and available new function for z/VM 7.2 and 7.3.

Introduction

Not all enhancements to z/VM are part of a new release or even a formal IBM announcement letter. This page is a resource to learn about enhancements going out through continuous delivery for z/VM. It's also different from formal announcements as it shows work in progress. Think of it as a living preview announcement for z/VM. As significant changes take place, this page will be updated. Check back often or subscribe. Note: The z/VM Web site subscription service is intended to provide email alerts when specific z/VM pages are updated. If you are interested in receiving APAR updates, click the link for the individual APAR and subscribe to updates on that page.

We invite you to shape the future of z/VM by submitting and voting for ideas that matter most to you with the IBM Z Hardware and Operating Systems Ideas Portal.

You may notice that some new functions are actively seeking sponsor users. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor user for a particular function, visit the z/VM Sponsor User page for more details. Also important, these and other ideas from customers and vendors are frequently discussed at the z/VM Council. For more information and details on how to join, please see the z/VM Council web page.

New Function APARs

New function in progress	Target date	Last updated
Query SCPID	2024031Q 2024	March 11, 2024
REXX Sockets Enhancements	TBD	September 28, 2022
Timing Enhancements	TBD	February 4, 2021
Active Drain for PAGE Volumes	TBD	August 4, 2022
CPU Measurement Facility Host Sampler Exploitation	TBD	September 28, 2022

 

Available new function	Date released	Last updated
Digital Signature Verification of z/VM Service Packages	March 9, 2024	March 11, 2024
VM Pass-Through ESA Support	February 9, 2024	February 12, 2024
SCSI IPL Alternate Path Support	December 7, 2023	December 7, 2023
Include Current TERSE Utility With z/VM	December 4, 2023	December 7, 2023
CMS Tape Block Size Increase	November 14, 2023	November 17, 2023
MONWRITE CLOSE Option Enhancement	November 14, 2023	November 17, 2023
Warning Track Interruption Facility	November 8, 2023	November 17, 2023
System SSL 2.5 Uplift	October 4, 2023	October 24, 2023
Greater than 1TB Guest Support	August 28, 2023	August 29, 2023
Large Guest LOGOFF Reset Time Mitigation	August 28, 2023	October 31, 2023
Support Larger NVMe EDEVICE Page Space Allocations	August 22, 2023	August 22, 2023
Thin Stack Adapter Interrupt Support	August 22, 2023	August 22, 2023
Performance Data Pump	August 12, 2023	August 22, 2023
Query z/VM System Security Settings	June 26, 2023	June 26, 2023
VMEVENT Enhancements	June 13, 2023	June 14, 2023
Guest Secure-IPL	May 18, 2023	June 14, 2023
Key Vault Utility	May 30, 2023	June 14, 2023
Crypto Stateless-Command Filtering	May 12, 2023	May 12, 2023
SMAPI FCP EQID API Support	September 23, 2022	January 18, 2023
DirMaint Automatic Sensing of Disk Volume Sizes	September 16, 2022	October 24, 2022
ESM Control of DEFINE MDISK Command	September 16, 2022	September 16, 2022
NVMe EDEVICE Support for z/VM	September 16, 2022	September 16, 2022
CSM Fixpack	September 16, 2022	September 16, 2022
SSI Eight Member Clusters	September 16, 2022	September 16, 2022
Host Exploitation of Crypto Interruptions	June 1, 2022	June 10, 2022
DirMaint Performance Enhancements	March 16, 2022	March 21, 2022
SMAPI Query Processors API	December 10, 2021	December 10, 2021
VSwitch Bridge Port Enhancements	December 10, 2021	December 10, 2021
Preserve Partial Dump Across IPL	December 10, 2021	December 10, 2021
Query GSKKYMAN Certificates	December 10, 2021	December 10, 2021
EDEVICE Path Management	August 31, 2021	September 1, 2021
Direct to Host Service Transfer	August 31, 2021	March 10, 2022
Improved LGR for Mixed-Level Crypto Environments	August 11, 2021	August 12, 2021
IPv6 Layer 2 Query VSwitch Support	August 11, 2021	August 12, 2021
Dynamic Memory Downgrade	August 6, 2021	August 12, 2021
Help File Improvements	August 3, 2021	March 10, 2022
z/XC Architecture Support	March 29, 2021	March 31, 2021
Improve I/O Time for Dump Processing	March 1, 2021	March 10, 2022
Fast z/VM Dump Distiller	March 1, 2021	March 10, 2022
Automatic STANDBY Memory for Guests	March 3, 2021	March 4, 2021
Four TB Main Memory Support	March 3, 2021	July 7, 2021
Spool Information Enhancements	March 1, 2021	March 10, 2022
TLS / SSL OCSP Support	January 6, 2021	March 10, 2022
DirMaint Health Checker	December 11, 2020	March 4, 2021
CP Query Devices	December 8, 2020	March 31, 2021
SET EDEVICE Optional LUN Specification	December 8, 2020	March 31, 2021
Guest 1-End HyperPAV Aliases	December 8, 2020	March 31, 2021
Perfkit SMT Support	December 8, 2020	December 14, 2020
FlashCopy Preserve Mirror Support	October 15, 2020	March 31, 2021
CP New Feature Interrogation API	October 15, 2020	March 31, 2021
Centralized Service Management	September 18, 2020	September 24, 2020
MSS Multi-Target PPRC Exploitation	September 18, 2020	September 24, 2020

 

Host Exploitation of Crypto Interruptions
Name	Host Exploitation of Crypto Interruptions (Cyrpto Interrupt Support)
Description	This enhancement makes z/VM's APVIRT processing more event-driven. This avoids the overhead of polling by z/VM's control program associated with the previous implementation. This enhancement uses Crypto-related interruptions to achieve this.
Status	Available June 1, 2022
Target availability	May 2022
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	This support will be enabled after z/VM is IPL'd with the APAR. It cannot be disabled.
Effect	There is no effect to systems that do not use APVIRT. For those with APVIRT, there is a potential performance improvement in terms of the lower IBM Z or LinuxONE processor resources associated with managing APVIRT.
ISV impact	No known impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction at this time.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.CRYPTO.INTERRUPTIONS
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66534
PTF	UM35974
RSU	TBD
Sign up	Contact Kerry Wilson - kerryw@us.ibm.com to become a Sponsor User.

 

Active Drain for PAGE Volumes
Name	Active Drain for PAGE Volumes
Description	A new Active Drain feature will allow moving all pages from in-use PAGE slots off a volume marked DRAIN to other, non-draining, PAGE volumes. This allows PAGE volumes to fully drain and be removed without a system outage.
Status	Currently in development.
Target availability	TBD
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	TBD
Effect	No known side-effects when not being used. Does require resources to determine page slot content to move and additional I/O proportional to the number of allocate slots that must be drained. IBM intends to provide more details in performance report in the future.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction at this time.
Environment variable name	TBD
Release(s)	TBD
Service details	TBD
APAR	TBD
PTF	TBD
RSU	TBD
Sign up	Contact Kerry Wilson - kerryw@us.ibm.com to become a Sponsor User.

 

Automatic STANDBY Memory for Guests
Name	Automatic STANDBY Memory for Guests
Description	To dynamically increase the amount of memory a guest can bring online requires two steps: 1. Raising the maximum in the directory 2. Issuing a DEFINE STORAGE command to add this to the guest's STANDBY memory.   Often step 2 is issued via a COMMAND statement in the directory or in a PROFILE EXEC. Forgetting to update the DEFINE STORAGE command when the guest's maximum memory is updated can result in an extra IPL of the guest. This item will add INITIAL and REMAINDER keyword to the DEFINE STORAGE command. This will mean all memory from the AS (configured) amount up to the guest's maximum will be put to STANDBY. Note that this is different than CP SET RESERVED.
Status	Available March 3, 2021
Target availability	March 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities, but existing commands may need to change to use the new keywords.
Enablement	Apply PTFs and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code. Update existing DEFINE STORAGE command to say DEFINE STORAGE INITIAL STANDBY REMAINDER to use the new support.
Effect	No effect to current usage of DEFINE STORAGE, current keywords will remain unchanged.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux interaction at this time.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	Delivered with z/VM Four TB Main Memory Support
APAR	See Four TB Main Memory Support
PTF	See Four TB Main Memory Support
RSU	TBD

 

Centralized Service Management
Name	Centralized Service Management (CSM)
Description	Enhances z/VM service process by allowing service to be applied in a multiple z/VM system environment (without SSI) from a centralized system. This initial effort would apply to the z/VM base system and associated priced features.
Status	Available September 18, 2020
Target availability	September 18, 2020
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Install 7.2 release on all z/VM systems that will be centrally managed. Inititialize and configure master and target z/VM systems. Initially, CSM will not be supporting z/VM systems within an SSI cluster.
Effect	While it adds more options to service process, if not using the new capability, there should be only minor effects to current usage.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 Base
Service details	N/A part of z/VM 7.2 base
APAR	N/A
PTF	N/A
RSU	N/A

 

CSM fixpack
Name	Centralized Service Management (CSM) fixpack
Description	Enhancements are planned for the Centralized Service Management (CSM) and is a collection of multiple follow-on functionality improvements. There are four specific enhancements planned each as described below. Improvements to the SERVMGR QUERY command which will allow queries specific to individual components in a service level rather than output for all components being given on every command invocation. The SERVLVL QUERY command will be expanded to allow wildcard (*) support, allowing mutilple service levels in a CSM to be queried together under one command. Adding the ability to query CSM managed systems for current PUT2PROD state. If a Pending Service Level has stalled during PUT2PROD, CSMQUERY now allows a query option to retrieve the $PRODS file and display the contents in human-readable format. A modification to the way localmods are output during a query.
Status	Available September 16, 2022
Target availability	September 2022
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTFs and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code.
Effect	No known effect.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 Base
Service details	N/A part of z/VM 7.3 base
APAR	N/A
PTF	N/A
RSU	N/A

 

CMS Tape Block Size Increase
Name	CMS Tape Block Size Increase; Increase the block size that CMS supports for tape devices
Description	This enhancement increases the block size supported by CMS native tape I/O functions from 64K-1 (65,535 bytes) to roughly 1 Megabyte (1,114,094 bytes).
Status	Available November 14, 2023
Target availability	November 2023
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities. However, the block size supported by CMS OS simulation does not increase beyond the current 64K-1 (65,535 bytes) limit.
Enablement	This support will be enabled after the APAR is applied. It cannot be disabled.
Effect	There is no effect on systems that do not exploit the new capabilities.
ISV impact	This may enable ISV software to take advantage of larger tape block sizes.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66724
PTF	UM90377
RSU	TBD

 

CP New Feature Interrogation API
Name	CP New Feature Interrogation API (CP New Function Indication API)
Description	Provides an interface for interrogating whether a named capability is present in the running CP system. This enhancement simplifies scripting and automation written by customers and vendors sensitive to the function level of CP. It facilitates adaptation of vendor products to varying CP code levels.
Status	Available October 15, 2020
Target availability	October 2020
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTF and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code.
Effect	No other effects when not using the new API.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66439
PTF	UM35761
RSU	z/VM 7.2 - 2101

 

CP Query Devices
Name	CP Query Devices
Description	The CP QUERY DEVICES project adds the DEVICES subcommand of the QUERY command to report real device settings established by the DEVICES configuration statement and the SET DEVICES command. The objective of the CP QUERY DEVICES project is to allow clients to confirm that device settings are as intended. It is an extension of the existing support that is intended to simplify configuration management and problem determination.
Status	Available December 8, 2020
Target availability	December 2020
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Installation and re-IPL of the z/VM system required.
Effect	No known effects.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.QUERY.DEVICES
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66469
PTF	UM35797
RSU	z/VM 7.2 - 2101

 

CPU Measurement Facility Host Sampler Exploitation
Name	CPU Measurement Facility Host Sampler Exploitation
Description	A z/VM system programmer can exploit existing hardware sampling to help IBM Service shed light on an LPAR's performance behavior. System programmer uses IBM Z CPU Measurement Facility to capture data associated with the performance experience of processors, caches, and memory System programmer sends collected data to IBM for analysis
Status	Currently in development.
Target availability	TBD
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	A new CP command to initialize and control data collection Directory statement to authorize access to the Sampler-specific DCSS for data capture To be used only under IBM direction
Effect	While the capability is not in use, there should be no performance effects. Real memory must be temporarily reserved for use during the measurement and data extraction process, and can then be returned to general use. Performance impact during this period is to be studied during development.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux interaction. CMS tools to dump and pack experiment data. z13 or later hardware is required.
Environment variable name	TBD
Release(s)	TBD
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	TBD
PTF	TBD
RSU	TBD
Sign up	Contact Kerry Wilson - kerryw@us.ibm.com to become a Sponsor User.

 

Crypto Stateless-Command Filtering
Name	Crypto Stateless-Command Filtering
Description	The Crypto Stateless-Command Filtering enhancement provides support for the Stateless-Command Filtering (SLCF) facility available on CEX8C adapters. z/VM's exploitation of this new hardware capability will replace the crypto stateless command filtering performed by z/VM for APVIRT crypto users, thus eliminating the need for future z/VM updates to allow new stateless CCA operations.
Status	Available May 12, 2023.
Target availability	June 2023
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTFs and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code.
Effect	APVIRT crypto users can exploit new stateless CCA operations.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	A CEX8S adapter configured in CCA Coprocessor mode is required to exploit this enhancement.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.CRYPTO.HW_CCA_FILTERING
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66423
PTF	UM90279
RSU	TBD

 

Digital Signature Verification (DSV) of z/VM Service Packages
Name	Digital Signature Verification (DSV) of z/VM Service Packages
Description	Tool provided to verify the authenticity and integrity of the z/VM Service packages.
Status	Available March 9, 2024
Target availability	First Quarter 2024
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	With the PTF for the APAR installed, the verification will be done by GetShopz. GetShopz option to be provided to verify service packages transferred to z/VM without GetShopz.
Effect	The verification will now be done by default with GetShopz.
ISV impact	No known impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information
APAR	VM66732
PTF	UM90411
RSU	TBD
More info	GetShopz Utility

 

Direct to Host Service Transfer
Name	z/VM Direct to Host Service Transfer
Description	This new function provides an optional way to transfer service to your z/VM system. A new web interface will simplify downloading z/VM service ordered through IBM Shopz. The service files can be transferred either through direct-to-host connection or uploading the files from a workstation. The data is verified and unpacked during transfer to the z/VM host system.
Status	Available August 31, 2021
Target availability	September 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTF, configure SSL, ensure enough space is available for the service you want to transfer, run CMS program using the MAINT720 user ID to transfer the service files.
Effect	No known effect.
ISV impact	No known impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66540
PTF	UM35899
RSU	z/VM 7.2 - 2102
Additional information	GetShopz - Direct to Host Service Download information

 

DirMaint Automatic Sensing of Disk Volume Sizes
Name	DirMaint Automatic Sensing of Disk Volume Sizes
Description	DirMaint uses volume sizes when managing minidisk allocation. Prior to this support, the size of a volume was defined based solely on the device type. The device type and its size were defined either in a DEFAULTS DATADVH data file maintained by IBM or within the DEFAULTS section of the EXTENT CONTROL file when updated by the installation. Basing size solely on the device type can lead to incorrect assumptions for maximum size of a volume and lead DirMaint to fail minidisk allocation because the size of the device type does not match the actual size of the volume.   This support enhances DirMaint to use CP QUERY DASD DETAILS to obtain the maximum size of volumes. DirMaint queries the DASD details when it builds the VCONTROL file for the volume. The VCONTROL file is used during minidisk allocation. DirMaint performs this query for volumes defined in the EXTENT CONTROL file or the source user directory. The size is obtained for volumes attached to the system on which the DIRMAINT server is running and in an SSI environment from the systems where satellite servers are defined. If the size of the volume cannot be obtained then the device type size as specified in the DEFAULTS DATADVH data fle or the DEFAULTS section of the EXTENT CONTROL file is used.
Status	Available September 16, 2022
Target availability	September 2022
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	This support is automatically enabled.
Effect	The construction of VCONTROL files as part of reload the EXTENT CONTROL file (RLDEXTN command) will take a little bit longer in an SSI environment as the DIRMAINT server performs the CP queries on the SSI members. The construction is performed when the RLDEXTN command is issued on once a day as part of new day processing.
ISV impact	No known impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 Base
Service details	N/A part of z/VM 7.3 base
APAR	N/A
PTF	N/A
RSU	N/A

 

DirMaint Health Checker
Name	DirMaint Health Checker
Description	This support provides an automated set of procedures to validate the configuration and health of the DirMaint servers on a daily basis and on demand. The tests are orchestrated by the DirMaint server and run on the DirMaint server, datamove and satellite servers. Installation support are notified of the results of the tests.
Status	Available December 11, 2020
Target availability	December 2020
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	The DirMaint configuration files control whether the tests are automatically run. Defaults are provided in that automatically run the tests once a day as the result of DirMaint New Day processing (dirven by the DVHNDAY exec). The installation may specify:   who to contact with the results of the tests, whether to send the results: always, on a significant warning/error, on any warning. which DirMaint servers to test, which tests to run, modifications to individual test parameters in order to change defaults. In addition to being automatically run, the health checker can be invoked by the new IVP command. If submitted to the DirMaint machine, the health checker will check the health of the DirMaint server and any configured datamove and satellite servers. The command can also be invoked from the console of a datamove or satellite server to only check the health of that server.
Effect	The DirMaint Health Checker code is automatically driven daily as part of DirMaint New Day processing (driven by the DVHNDAY exec).
ISV impact	No known impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66175 II14866
PTF	UV99389
RSU	TBD

 

DirMaint Performance Enhancements
Name	DirMaint Performance Enhancements
Description	Performance improvements to DirMaint processing of user and server requests. Additional tests related to performance and reliability are added to the Automated IVP that was introduced as a new function APAR for z/VM 7.2 in December 2020.
Status	Available March 16, 2022
Target availability	March 2022
Compatibility	As part of this support, DirMaint monitor files introduced with the IVP support in December 2020 will be maintained on the A-disk of the DirMaint server for each DirMaint server (DIRMAINT, satellite and datamove server) rather than only on the DIRMAINT server's E disk.
Enablement	Applying this support and restarting the DirMaint servers enables the support.
Effect	No known effect.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66298
PTF	UV99411
RSU	TBD

 

Dynamic Memory Downgrade
Name	Dynamic Memory Downgrade (DMD)
Description	Dynamic Memory Downgrade, also known as Memory or Storage Reclamation, extends the real storage dynamic management characteristics of z/VM to include removing up to 50% of the real storage from a running z/VM system. Previous versions of z/VM allow adding storage dynamically, but not removing it.
Status	Available August 6, 2021
Target availability	August 2021
Compatibility	Several commands associated with dynamic memory management will have incompatible changes.
Enablement	Applying PTFs will enable code, use of new function will be from commands and configuration file settings. Requires an IPL of the z/VM system to activate the code for this PTF.
Effect	Most mainline paths are unaffected by these changes, but code paths for initialization and adding memory have significant changes.
ISV impact	Some monitor changes are needed. Fields in the RSMBK control block will change offsets. If you have a performance product, please see your vendor.
Linux or hardware interaction	Will require z14 or higher. No known Linux interaction at this time.
Environment variable name	CP.LIMIT.MEMORY.RECONFIG CP.FUNCTION.MEMORY.RECLAIM
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	CP	Perfkit
APAR	VM66271	VM66285
PTF	UM35561	UM35562
RSU	TBD	TBD
Additional information	Dynamic Memory Downgrade information

 

EDEVICE Path Management
Name	EDEVICE Path Management
Description	The component responsible for path management in the SCSI-FCP device driver has been upgraded in the areas: Path selection Path state tracking Path health checking New path optimization means better path selection when ALUA storage devices are in use and internal changes to the state machine should provide the user a more robust system. Externals have also been changed to accommodate additional path states and status information.
Status	Available August 31, 2021
Target availability	August 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTFs and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code.
Effect	No known effects at this time when ALUA storage devices are not in use but expect EDEV path selection to have significant updates to code. Expands the usage of 'QUERY EDEV <rdev>'.
ISV impact	Some monitor changes are needed. If you have a performance product, please see your vendor.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux interaction. ALUA storage devices would be needed to take advantage of path optimization.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.EDEVICE.PATH_MANAGEMENT
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66507
PTF	UM35902
RSU	TBD

 

ESM Authorization and Auditing of SMAPI Requests
Name	ESM Authorization and Auditing of SMAPI Requests
Description	When an ESM is present, programs can use the ESM for all SMAPI authorization decisions at the same granularity used with the SMAPI existing authorization mechanism. The ESM logs the decision (or not) that is based on its active policy, without SMAPI knowledge or intervention.   When an ESM defers its authorization decision to SMAPI, one of the following actions are taken based on a configuration option:   SMAPI's authorization decision uses the existing authorization process. SMAPI calls the ESM to log the decision in the ESM-managed security log. SMAPI has no knowledge if the ESM audit logging is enabled or disabled. SMAPI treats the request as unauthorized.
Status	Available September 27, 2018
Target availability	September 2018
Compatibility	Properties in the DMSSICNF COPY file control the ESM authorization setting. If you are migrating from a release prior to z/VM 7.1, the contents of your DMSSICNF COPY file will include duplicates of properties found in the IBMCNF COPY file. You can remove from DMSSICNF COPY any properties that are also found in IBMCNF COPY.
Enablement	First, configure your ESM to control system APIs by (a) enabling the FACILITY class and (b) creating new ESM profiles which map to your desired security policy. Your ESM will not need to be restarted; however, a REFRESH may be necessary for updated policy to be detected.   Then, update DMSSICNF to indicate either Authorization_Policy = Authorization_Policy_EsmList (default) or Authorization_Policy = Authorization_Policy_EsmOnly.   For details, refer to the z/VM 7.1 System Management Application Programming manual
Effect	Security policy for control and/or audit of API usage will now be handled by your ESM, if available.
ISV impact	This function is available with non-IBM External Security Manager programs; refer to local documentation for instructions on ESM set-up.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.1 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66167
PTF	UM35358
RSU	TBD

 

ESM Control of DEFINE MDISK Command
Name	External Security Manager (ESM) Control of DEFINE MDISK Command
Description	Addition of CP and RACF support to allow CP DEFINE MDISK to be a command controlled by an External Security Manager.
Status	Available September 16, 2022
Target availability	September 2022
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	After application of the PTFs, security administrators may define controls upon the DEFINE MDISK command, and permit users to access same. In the case of RACF/VM, this would be accomplished via:   RDEFINE VMCMD DEFINE.MDISK AUDIT(ALL,(READ)) UACC(NONE) PERMIT DEFINE.MDISK CLASS(VMCMD) ID(SYSOP1) ACCESS(UPDATE) SETROPTS REFRESH RACLIST(VMCMD)
Effect	A z/VM user not authorized to use this support will receive pertinent error messages from the ESM when attempting to execute DEFINE MDISK.
ISV impact	If using an External Security Manager from Broadcom (formerly CA), consult with their support for availability of a PTF.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux interaction.
Environment variable name	CP.ESM.CONTROL.DEFINE.MDISK
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 Base
Service details	N/A part of z/VM 7.3 base
APAR	N/A
PTF	N/A
RSU	N/A

 

Fast z/VM Dump Distiller
Name	Fast z/VM Dump Distiller
Description	Some dumps CP takes include large structures (frame table and/or pageable PGMBKs) to aid diagnosis of memory management problems. A new "DISTILL" option on DUMPLOAD extracts an abridged dump omitting these structures from a hard abend dump or snapdump on spool. This smaller dump is easier to manage and faster to transmit to IBM, allowing diagnosis to begin sooner. The complete dump remains in spool and can be loaded and sent later if needed.
Status	Available March 1, 2021
Target availability	March 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTF and rebuild DUMPLOAD MODULE.
Effect	None anticipated.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No interaction or dependency is anticipated.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66430
PTF	UM35823
RSU	z/VM 7.2 - 2102

 

FlashCopy Preserve Mirror Support
Name	FlashCopy Preserve Mirror Support
Description	Provides new operands to z/VM FlashCopy commands to allow FlashCopy relationships between PPRC primary devices without affecting the PPRC status of the target devices. This particularly avoids PPRC suspend conditions on the target device of the FlashCopy.
Status	Available October 15, 2020
Target availability	October 2020
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTFs and re-IPL z/VM to access the new operands.
Effect	Preserve Mirror prevents FlashCopy from affecting full duplex PPRC relationships.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	Disk hardware must support preserve mirror to be able to exploit the new operands. Command response will indicate if specified devices do not support the feature.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.COPYSERVICES.FC_PRESERVE_MIRROR
Release(s)	z/VM 7.1 and 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66433
PTF	R710 UM35762 R720 UM35763
RSU	z/VM 7.1 - 2101 z/VM 7.2 - 2101

 

Four TB Main Memory Support
Name	Four Terabyte Main Memory Support
Description	Four TB Main memory support, would support the definition and use of real memory up to the four TB line for first level z/VM systems. Over-commitment of total virtual memory across all guests beyond four TB would be supported. The per guest limit of one TB of virtual memory would remain unchanged.
Status	Available March 3, 2021.
Target availability	March 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	LPAR would need four TB memory defined.
Effect	TBD
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux interaction at this time. System needs enough paging DASD to support >4 TB paging.
Environment variable name	CP.LIMIT.MEMORY.REAL_TOTAL
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	TBD
APAR	VM66173
PTF	UM35834
RSU	TBD
Additional information	March 22, 2021: z/VM customers with RACF installed will receive message VMFAPP2120W indicating that rework is required for part HCPRPP TXT when applying the PTF for APAR VM66173. See March 22, 2021 z/VM Red Alert for more details.   July 1, 2021: APAR VM66173 (PTF UM35834) for 4TB REAL MEMORY SUPPORT is in error. Apply PTF UM35556 for APAR VM66289 as soon as possible. See July 1, 2021 z/VM Service Red Alert for more details.

 

Greater than 1TB Guest Support
Name	Greater than 1TB Guest Support; >1TB Guest Support
Description	Support guests that are defined with more than 1TB of memory, subject to a set of documented guidelines and considerations.
Status	Available August 28, 2023
Target availability	September 2023
Compatibility	This support is upward compatible. While there is no associated code change, it is advisable to apply the PTF UM90339 for the APAR associated with the "Large Guest LOGOFF Reset Time Mitigation" function prior to exploiting this capability.
Enablement	Enabled when such a guest is defined.
Effect	Guests can exploit larger memory, subject to some considerations.
ISV impact	To exploit large memory effectively with Oracle, patch 33787325 should be applied.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction at this time.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR
Service details	No code changes. Once finalized, follow the guidelines and considerations.
APAR	None
PTF	None
RSU	N/A

 

Guest 1-End HyperPAV Aliases
Name	Guest 1-End HyperPAV Aliases
Description	Allows client to use the DEFINE HYPERPAVALIAS command to define and associate virtual HyperPAV Alias devices with Base minidisks defined with the MDISK directory statement from real cylinder 1 to END.
Status	Available December 8, 2020
Target availability	December 2020
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTFs and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code. MDISK user directory statement defining Base device from real cylinder 1 to END and DEFINE HYPERPAVALIAS command. User directory example: COMMAND DEFINE HYPERPAVALIAS 2F0 FOR BASE 200 MDISK 200 3390 1 END SW2112 MWV
Effect	Protects real volume label and allocation map by preventing access from guest virtual machine.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	Linux guest must be configured to exploit HyperPAV Base and Alias devices.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.DASD.HYPERPAV_1_END
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66421
PTF	UM35784
RSU	z/VM 7.2 - 2101

 

Guest Secure-IPL
Name	Guest Secure-IPL
Description	Provide support to allow guest secure IPL (load and dump) for both ECKD and SCSI devices. A z/VM user can request that the machine loader validate the signed IPL code by using the security keys that were previously loaded by the customer on the HMC certificate store. The validation ensures that the IPL code is intact, unaltered, and originates from a trusted build-time source.
Status	CP and DirMaint support available May 18, 2023; SMAPI support available June 30, 2023.
Target availability	June 2023
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	The program to be loaded must be signed and at a level that supports secure IPL. The HMC certificate store must be loaded with any necessary matching security certificates. Then the SET LOADDEV or SET DUMPDEV command must be issued to set the appropriate LOADDEV or DUMPDEV parameters that includes the SECURE option. The IPL command is then issued to request a secure list-directed IPL.
Effect	The machine loader will use the certificates in the HMC certificate store to validate that the signature of the code being loaded matches the signature on the program.
ISV impact	Directory maintenance products like DirMaint and SMAPI may be affected although the changes made are upwardly compatible. Check with your vendor for updates.
Linux or hardware interaction	New levels of both hardware and Linux are required if the guest is to do a secure IPL.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.SECURITY.IPL
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR
Service details	CP	DirMaint	SMAPI
APAR	VM66434	VM66424	VM66650
PTF	UM90281	UV99435	UM90300
RSU	TBD	TBD	TBD

 

Help File Improvements
Name	Help File Improvements
Description	Provides improvements to the z/VM Help facility by adding help information for CP Directory Statements and for CP System Configuration Statements.
Status	Available August 4, 2021
Target availability	July 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTFs, re-access the help minidisk.
Effect	No known effects.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	CP	CMS	VMSES
APAR	VM66511	VM66512	VM66513
PTF	UM35886	UM35885	UM35875
RSU	z/VM 7.2 - 2102

 

Improve I/O Time for Dump Processing
Name	Improve I/O Time for Dump Processing
Description	This project exploits DASD zHPF I/O, when available, when writing CP Hard Abend and Snap Dumps to CP Dump / Spool space. The goal is to reduce the amount of time a system is unavailable while a dump is being taken, before the system is re-IPLed. This will shorten unplanned outages on systems with large amounts of real memory. This can be especially advantageous combined with the Fast z/VM Dump Distiller project, which reduces the time required to load and send a dump to IBM for diagnosis.
Status	Available March 1, 2021
Target availability	March 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTF and rebuild CPLOAD MODULE. Also requires zHPF to be enabled on storage controller containing dump spool space.
Effect	Reduced time to take CP Hard and Snap Dumps. This enhancement has potential to reduce elapsed dump time by about 50%. Customers' actual results will depend upon their workloads and configurations.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	zHPF must be enabled on storage controller that contains the dump spool space. No Linux interaction.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.DUMP.SPEEDUP
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66431
PTF	UM35822
RSU	z/VM 7.2 - 2102

 

IPv6 Layer 2 Query VSwitch Support
Name	IPv6 Layer 2 Query VSwitch Support
Description	For ETHERNET VSwitches, support has been added to collect and report IPv6 addresses on the Query Vswitch, Query Virtual NIC and DIAG 26C. As IPv6 usage becomes more prevalent, this information will be more important for diagnostics. In addition, the VSwitch Unicast IP table structure has changed from a linked list to a hash table.
Status	Available August 11, 2021
Target availability	August 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTF and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code.
Effect	The Unicast IP hash table will allow for more efficient table searches.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.VSWITCH.IPV6QUERY
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66485
PTF	UM35894
RSU	TBD

 

Include Current TERSE Utility With z/VM
Name	Include Current TERSE Utility With z/VM
Description	This enhancement ships the TERSE compression tool with the z/VM product as part of CMS.
Status	Available December 4, 2023
Target availability	December 2023
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTF to access the utility.
Effect	TERSE can be used to compress or decompress CMS files and may be useful for submitting problem determination information such as dumps to IBM.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66725
PTF	UM90383
RSU	TBD
Sign up	Contact Kerry Wilson - kerryw@us.ibm.com to become a Sponsor User.

 

Key Vault Utility
Name	Key Vault Utility, CMS Password Vault
Description	A new CMS password/key management utility -- KEYVAULT -- is planned to allow applications to securely store and retrieve user ID keys (logon passwords) that are needed for data transfers (such as using FTP/FTPS) or automated login procedures.
Status	Available May 30, 2023
Target availability	May 2023
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTF and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code.
Effect	No known effect.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR.
Service details	CMS	SES	TCP/IP
APAR	VM66453	VM66457	PH51239
PTF	UM90280	UM90289	UI91775
RSU	TBD	TBD	TBD

 

Large Guest LOGOFF Reset Time Mitigation
Name	Large Guest LOGOFF Reset Time Mitigation; Mitigate Effects of Guest Memory Reset Time on Logoff
Description	Reduce the amount of time that a large guest is unavailable for LOGON because of memory reset during LOGOFF.
Status	Available August 28, 2023
Target availability	August 2023
Compatibility	Once a guest enters the memory reset phase, its virtual devices have been released and it can be logged on again. The old instance of the guest is still in memory reset, but its user ID has been translated to lower case and it cannot be observed except by the QUERY NAMES, INDICATE PAGING, and LOCATE VMDBK commands, all of which will report its status as "LOGOFF" or, for QUERY NAMES, "LOF". The response to INDICATE PAGING has a new column appended to report the guest status (either "LOGOFF" or "---").
Enablement	Apply PTFs and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code.
Effect	Because the memory reset process is underway for the old guest, its memory demand will still exist but will decrease over time. Restarting a memory-intensive workload on the guest may not be advisable unless there is adequate real memory configured to accommodate that. The intention is to allow a new instance of the guest to be activated prior to the completion of memory reset so that configuration, operating system or application maintenance can be applied without delay.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.FAST_GUEST_LOGOFF
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66673
PTF	UM90339
RSU	TBD

 

Improved LGR for Mixed-Level Crypto Environments
Name	Improved Live Guest Relocation for Mixed-Level Crypto Environments. Formerly known as, LGR Improvements for APVIRT, and Mixed-APVIRT LGR.
Description	This support enables successful Live Guest Relocation (LGR) for APVIRT crypto users when the type of the shared crypto resource on the source system does not match the type of shared crypto resource on the target system. QUERY VIRTUAL CRYPTO on any system in a relocation domain will report the lowest level of crypto express adapter available in the shared pools of all systems in a relocation domain. By reporting the functional capability of the lowest level adapter, APVIRT crypto users are able to determine the level of functionality that can be used to enable relocation between systems in the relocation domain without using the FORCE ARCHITECTURE option.
Status	Available August 11, 2021
Target availability	August 2021
Compatibility	When running in an SSI environment, QUERY VIRTUAL CRYPTO will report the lowest level of shared crypto express adapter available in a relocation domain.
Enablement	IPL the z/VM system with the LGR Improvements for APVIRT support to activate.
Effect	In an SSI environment with mixed levels of Crypto Express adapters and guests in relocation domains that span those mixed levels, they will see the lower level attributes even when running on the member with the higher level Crypto Express (with all members having the PTF applied). When a subset of the members have the PTF applied, there will be a mixture of the rules in place, dependent on the source and target of an relocation. Additional information will be available when the PTF is released. No effect when not in an SSI environment.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	Linux currently uses the results of an AP crypto instruction to determine the level of function available in a relocation domain. No updates to Linux are required.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.CRYPTO.MIXED_APVIRT_LGR
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66496
PTF	UM35893
RSU	TBD

 

MONWRITE CLOSE Option Enhancement
Name	MONWRITE CLOSE Option Enhancement
Description	This enhancement allows the file mode of the Monitor data file collected by MONWRITE to be specified so that they are no longer restricted to being written to the A-disk.
Status	Available November 14, 2023
Target availability	December 2023
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	This support will be enabled after the APAR is applied. It cannot be disabled.
Effect	There is no effect on systems that do not use the new option. MONWRITE will continue to write Monitor data files to the A-disk unless the command invocation is changed.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66726
PTF	UM90376
RSU	TBD
Sign up	Contact Kerry Wilson - kerryw@us.ibm.com to become a Sponsor User.

 

MSS Multi-Target PPRC Exploitation
Name	MSS Multi-Target PPRC Exploitation
Description	Multi-target PPRC allows both a local and a remote target. One Metro Mirror target could be in the same data center as the local production to protect from a single storage controller failure. A secondary Metro Mirror or Global Mirror target could be in a separate location to protect against a more widespread issue that affects the entire local data center.   Multi-Target PPRC is currently supported by z/VM. However, all PPRC target (secondary) devices must reside in subchannel set zero (the default subchannel set). The new z/VM support will add support for up to 3 alternate subchannel sets allowing each PPRC secondary target device of a Multi-Target primary device to exist in a separate alternate subchannel set. This support will also allow Alias devices associated with each secondary target device to reside in the secondary device's corresponding alternate subchannel set. This support will be interlocked with related GDPS xDR support.   With this enhancement, the aliases of the primary devices must reside in the same subchannel set as their base devices, even if that is the default subchannel set 0. This differs from the z/OS implementation where all aliases can exist in a separate alternate subchannel set.
Status	Available September 18, 2020
Target availability	September 18, 2020
Compatibility	The concept of logical subchannel set 1, no matter the real subchannel set ID, will be removed in the VM externals. A real device defined in an alternate subchannel set will maintain its real subchannel set ID, even after a Hyperswap. There will however still be the concept of an Active vs. Stand-by set of DASD devices.
Enablement	Installation and re-IPL of the z/VM system required.
Effect	No effect when not exploiting the new capability, but will impact any client who exploits VMs current alternate subchannel set support.
ISV impact	No known ISV impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux interaction. Does require storage server that allows mutli-target PPRC.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 Base
Service details	N/A part of z/VM 7.2 base
APAR	N/A
PTF	N/A
RSU	N/A

 

NVMe EDEVICE Support for z/VM
Name	NVMe EDEVICE Support
Description	This support allows Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) devices connected via PCI Express (PCIe) adapters to be defined and managed as Fixed-Block Architecture (FBA) emulated devices (EDEVICEs).
Status	Available September 16, 2022
Target availability	September 2022
Compatibility	FEATURES ENABLE PCI is no longer required - PCI support is always enabled and FEATURES ENABLE PCI and FEATURES DISABLE PCI are accepted but ignored.
Enablement	Install PCIe adapter and NVMe device. Define device with SET EDEVICE command. Customer is responsible for acquiring a supported NVMe SSD and for device monitoring and management. A sample CMS-based monitoring utility is provided.
Effect	TBD
ISV impact	Monitor records are enhanced and produced in new combinations, reflecting support for multiple HyperPAV bases and aliases associated with a single EDEVICE.
Linux or hardware interaction	LinuxONE hardware required.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.EDEVICE.NVME
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 Base
Service details	N/A part of z/VM 7.3 base
APAR	N/A
PTF	N/A
RSU	N/A
Sign up	Contact Kerry Wilson - kerryw@us.ibm.com to become a Sponsor User.

 

Perfkit Support for SMT
Name	Performance Toolkit Support for Simultaneous Multi-Threading (SMT)
Description	This enhancement provides new reports within the Performance Toolkit Feature in support of SMT. New reports will display SMT metrics for each core in a partition, and for each core type. Reports will also display the three views of user processor time: raw time, MT-1 equivalent time, and prorated core time. These reports will assist in understanding processor usage and efficiency.
Status	Available December 8, 2020
Target availability	December 2020
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTF and recycle Perfkit to pick up SMT enhancements.
Effect	No known effect.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66215
PTF	UM35495
RSU	z/VM Perfkit 7.2 - 2101

 

Performance Data Pump
Name	Performance Data Pump
Description	The z/VM Performance Data Pump extends Performance Toolkit with the ability to extract real-time performance data and send that to enterprise observability products for visualization and analysis, leveraging the customer processes for alerting and reporting. The Data Pump includes support for Splunk. For customers who can use open source, a solution is demonstrated using InfluxDB and Grafana. Sample dashboards for Grafana will be provided. The IBM Z Container Registry offers container images for use with Linux on z/VM.
Status	Available August 12, 2023
Target availability	August 2023
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	In addition to installing the PTF, customers will define an extra CMS virtual machine for the Data Pump and create a minimal configuration file. Splunk users need to define an event collector and index for the VM performance data and define the required reports and dashboards. To use Grafana dashboards, users need to deploy and configure InfluxDB and Grafana instances or use an existing installation.
Effect	The Data Pump is technically independent of the current PERFSVM function. Customers can run either PERFSVM or the Data Pump, or both, depending on the requirements.
ISV impact	No known impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	The Data Pump runs in a CMS virtual machine. To run InfluxDB and Grafana containers in a Linux guest on z/VM, Podman or Docker is needed.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66687 (Perfkit)
PTF	UM90334
RSU	TBD
More info	z/VM Performance Data Pump information z/VM Grafana dashboards View spotlight video View education and demo video

 

Preserve Partial Dump Across IPL
Name	Preserve Partial Dump Across Initial Program Load (IPL)
Description	Preserving partial dumps caused by a re-IPL of the partition before the dump completion. Currently, dumps which are terminated by a re-IPL of the partition are not preserved across the re-IPL.
Status	Available December 10, 2021
Target availability	December 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTFs and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code.
Effect	No known effect.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No interaction or dependency is anticipated.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.DUMP.PRESERVE_PARTIAL
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66560
PTF	UM35921
RSU	TBD

 

Query GSKKYMAN Certificates
Name	Query GSKKYMAN Certificates
Description	Provides support in z/VM TCPIP for querying ceritficates within a specific GSKKYMAN certificate database. The query will list certificate labels and display certain attributes of the certificates. This item is part of the z/VM TCP/IP Streamlined SSL Configuration project.
Status	Available December 10, 2021
Target availability	December 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities. While new interfaces may be introduced, there is currently no intention to remove existing interfaces, programmatic or otherwise.
Enablement	A new CERTMGR command will be shipped with a QUERY option. The CMS DEFAULTS command will be used for setting the defaults certificate database.
Effect	No known effect.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	TCP/IP	CMS	VMSES
APAR	PH40080	VM66561	VM66581
PTF	UI78359	UM35911	UM35914
RSU	TBD	TBD	TBD

 

Query z/VM System Security Settings
Name	Query z/VM System Security Settings
Description	This item will provide a centralized 'collector' program which gathers security-relevant configuration information from the running z/VM system and its services and provides them to a system programmer or security administrator via a single pane of glass. This item will also provide an API (via SMAPI) by which z/VM management programs, or compliance programs, can collect this data if authorized.
Status	Available June 26, 2023
Target availability	June 2023
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	After application of PTF, an authorized virtual machine may execute the function via issuance of the relevant invocation string. Program will detect how (or if) security relevant features are enabled.   Configuration and control of SMAPI will be required in order to use the API functionality provided by this item.
Effect	TBD
ISV impact	Directory manager and/or security manager software provided by vendors may need additional enablement support in order to provide data via this interface.
Linux or hardware interaction	API support is intended for use by the IBM zSCC (Security & Compliance Center).
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66646
PTF	UM90295
RSU	TBD

 

Query SCPID
Name	Query SCPID
Description	This enhancement allows the control program identification provided by z/VM guests to be displayed, similar to the HMC Systems Management "Partitions" display. It also provides this information in Monitor domain 1 sample configuration record 15 (MRMTRUSR), "Logged on User" and in new domain 4 event record 14 (MRUSESCP), "SCP Identification". CMS is enhanced to provide its control program identification to z/VM.
Status	Currently in test; soliciting sponsor user beta testing feedback.
Target availability	April 2024
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	This support will be enabled after z/VM is IPL'd with the APAR. It cannot be disabled.
Effect	There is no effect on normal system operation.
ISV impact	No known impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction at this time.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.QUERY.SCPID
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR
Service details	CP	CMS
APAR	VM66758	VM66759
PTF	TBD	TBD
RSU	TBD	TBD

 

REXX Sockets Enhancements
Name	REXX Sockets Enhancements
Description	This project augments REXX Sockets with additional IOCTL functions to support TLS, adds support for IPv6, improves Domain Name Server support, implements two new socket functions and enhances diagnostics. As a side-effect, it also removes addressability constraints, allowing code to be added easily and naturally in future.
Status	Currently in test; soliciting sponsor user feedback
Target availability	TBD
Compatibility	TBD
Enablement	TBD
Effect	TBD
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	TBD
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	TBD
PTF	TBD
RSU	TBD
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SCSI IPL Alternate Path Support
Name	SCSI IPL Alternate Path Support
Description	Alternate paths can be defined for list-directed SCSI IPL via the SET LOADDEV command and the User Directory LOADDEV statement. If IPL fails using the primary path, alternate paths will be used automatically.
Status	Available December 7, 2023
Target availability	December 2023
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	TBD
Effect	No known side-effects.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.SCSI.IPL.ALTERNATE_PATH
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66727
PTF	UM90384
RSU	TBD

 

SET EDEVICE Optional LUN Specification
Name	SET EDEVICE Optional LUN Specification
Description	SET EDEVICE Optional LUN Specification will allow the LUN operand on the SET EDEVICE command and the EDEVICE system configuration statement to be optional after the first path has been established.
Status	Available December 8, 2020
Target availability	December 2020
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTFs and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code.
Effect	No effect on current SET EDEVICE command or EDEVICE statement.
ISV impact	No known impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.EDEVICE.DEFINITION
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66420
PTF	UM35785
RSU	z/VM 7.2 - 2101

 

SMAPI FCP EQID API Support
Name	SMAPI FCP EQID API Support
Description	A new z/VM System Management API (SMAPI) called System_FCP_EQID_Set is created to provide a SMAPI API to enable modification of device equivalency IDs (EQID) for real FCP Adapter devices. This new API is particularly beneficial for customers who use SCSI disks connected via FCP (not edevices) and desire to utilize Live Guest Relocation (LGR) in an SSI environment.
Status	Available September 23, 2022
Target availability	TBD
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTFs and re-start SMAPI to activate the code.
Effect	No known effect.
ISV impact	No known ISV impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction at this time.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66626
PTF	UM36014
RSU	TBD

 

SMAPI Query Processors API
Name	SMAPI Query Processors API
Description	A Systems Management API (SMAPI) that provides information about the real processors available to a z/VM system.
Status	Available December 10, 2021
Target availability	December 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	No impact to any existing z/VM functionality. This new function will be available via a SMAPI API call.
Effect	No known effect.
ISV impact	No known ISV impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction at this time.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	New Function APAR for z/VM 7.2.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66568
PTF	UM35922
RSU	TBD

 

Spool Information Enhancements
Name	Spool Information Enhancements
Description	The Spool Information Enhancements project enhances spool subsystem interfaces to provide additional information. Its objective is to enable spool management software such as z/VM Operations Manager to facilitate client DASD migration and backup activities. These extensions to the existing interfaces will allow clients to manage spool files and volumes more effectively.
Status	Available March 1, 2021
Target availability	March 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTFs and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code.
Effect	Diagnose X'D8' can return information indicating which CP-owned volumes contain at least one page of a designated spool file. Diagnose X'D8' and the *SPL IUCV System Service can process spool files on the System Data File (NSS/DCSS, UCR, IMG, NLS, and TRF files) queue.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time, although ISVs may choose to exploit the new functions to deliver new capabilities.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction at this time.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.SPOOL.EXTENSIONS
Release(s)	New Function APAR for z/VM 7.2.
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66479
PTF	UM35825
RSU	z/VM 7.2 - 2102

 

SSI Eight Member Clusters
Name	SSI Eight Member Clusters
Description	This New Function APAR increases the maximum size of a Single System Image (SSI) cluster from four members to eight members. Four-member clusters may be installed initially, and then additional members may be added to the cluster. This will allow customers to grow their SSI clusters to allow for more workload, and more flexibility in using live guest relocation (LGR) for non-disruptive upgrades and workload balancing.
Status	Available September 16, 2022
Target availability	September 2022
Compatibility	TBD
Enablement	TBD
Effect	TBD
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	CP.LIMIT.SSI.MEMBERS
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 Base
Service details	Part of z/VM 7.3 base. See pre-requisisite service below.
APAR	N/A
PTF	N/A
RSU	N/A

 

Support Larger NVMe EDEVICE Page Space Allocations
Name	Support Larger NVMe EDEVICE Page Space Allocations
Description	Allow paging space to be allocated anywhere on an NVMe EDEVICE and to be of any size up to the available capacity. Requires a corresponding ICKDSF APAR to Enhance CPFMTXA to enhance FBA allocation.
Status	Available August 22, 2023
Target availability	August 2023
Compatibility	This support is upward compatible. It depends on an updated version of ICKDSF.
Enablement	Enabled when the PTFs are applied and NVMe EDEVICEs are allocated with large extents using CPFMTXA (ICKDSF).
Effect	NVMe FBA EDEVICEs can handle large paging workloads more effectively.
ISV impact	No known impacts. No impact to Broadcom products.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.EDEVICE.NVME
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR
Service details	ICKDSF	CP
APAR	PH52513	VM66675
PTF	UI92308	UM90336
RSU	TBD	TBD

 

System SSL 2.5 Uplift
Name	System SSL 2.5 Uplift
Description	An update of the cryptographic services library is planned to allow for enhanced certificate diagnostic enhancements, improved algorithmic support, and future enablement of TLS 1.3 for secure connectivity to the z/VM platform.
Status	Available October 4, 2023.
Target availability	Fourth Quarter 2023
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTF and re-IPL z/VM TLS Server(s) or z/VM LDAP Server(s) to activate the code.
Effect	No known effect.
ISV impact	No known impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	PH56199
PTF	UI93720
RSU	TBD

 

Thin Stack Adapter Interrupt Support
Name	Thin Stack Adapter Interrupt Support
Description	This enhancement updates the Thin Stack FCP SCSI device driver and associated IO routines to exploit adapter interruptions. It also provides improved error handling to the SCSIDISC command. Use of adapter interruptions is required for Thin Stack to be compatible with future models of the z processor.
Status	Available August 22, 2023
Target availability	August 2023
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Required the use of an updated SALIPL (CMS command), SCSIDISC (CMS command), and CPLOAD. All three component may be used independently, however the full benefit of this line item is not achieved until all three items are installed and the IPL record for FCP SCSI based z/VM system has been re-written using the updated SALIPL. The new SALIPL will install an updated SAPL system loader program.
Effect	This enhancement impacts: IPL from FCP SCSI devices, dump to FCP SCSI devices using abend and SNAPDUMP processing, the SALIP and SCSIDISC commands.
ISV impact	No known impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.THINSTACK
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66654
PTF	UM90335
RSU	TBD

 

Timing Enhancements
Name	z/VM Timing Enhancements
Description	The z/VM Timing Enhancements line item will improve the current support of the Server Time Protocol (STP) by including leap seconds in several key interfaces where z/VM reports on civil time. When leap seconds are properly configured to the Central Processor Complex (CPC), this will mean that time generated by z/VM and time generated by other operating systems that support STP and are part of the same timing network, will be consistent.
Status	Currently in development; soliciting sponsor user feedback.
Target availability	TBD
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	TBD
Effect	TBD
ISV impact	TBD
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	TBD
Release(s)	TBD
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	TBD
PTF	TBD
RSU	TBD
Sign up	Contact Kerry Wilson - kerryw@us.ibm.com to become a Sponsor User.

 

TLS / SSL OCSP Support
Name	TLS / SSL OCSP Support
Description	This support provides general peer certificate cross-checking against an external source, via OCSP (Online Certificate Status Protocol) and via the CRL (Certificate Revocation List) Distribution Points (CDP) mechanisms embedded as part of the z/VM System SSL Cryptographic library, when the peer certificate is built with the extension(s) for CDP and OCSP. Online Certificate Protocol was codified in RFC 6960 and CDP was documented as part of RFC 5280. Support for these has been part of z/OS System SSL for some time; this deliverable allows enablement and configuration of that support on z/VM 7.2.
Status	Available January 6, 2021
Target availability	December 2020
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	This function is enabled and configured through new DTCPARMS configuration parameters for the SSL/TLS Server. Changes made to the SSL configuration parameters will require a restart of the SSL servers. A small enhancement is also made to the TCPIP stack so a restart of TCP/IP will be required after the PTF is applied.
Effect	Security is enhanced by verifying that a client certificate has not been revoked. When this support is enabled, the handshake time will increase when a peer certificate is presented with CDP and/or OCSP extensions, since a connection needs to be made to an external server.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	PH28216
PTF	UI72963
RSU	z/VM 7.2 - 2102

 

VM Pass-Through ESA Support
Name	VM Pass-Through ESA Support
Description	Eliminate VM Pass-Through dependencies on the 370 Accommodation facility and remove support for deprecated devices, enabling PVM to run on either CMS or z/CMS.
Status	Available February 9, 2024
Target availability	January 2024
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Install PTF and restart the PVM facility.
Effect	No known side-effects.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	N/A
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66733
PTF	UV99447
RSU	TBD

 

VMEVENT Enhancements
Name	*VMEVENT Enhancements
Description	Additional information is provided through the *VMEVENT CP system service: Events are presented for virtual-machine disconnection from and reconnection to a terminal session. Identification of the connected terminal session (e.g., device type, address, host virtual machine, and IP address, as appropriate) is included on the existing logon event and the new reconnect event. Full-precision timeout values are added to the logoff-timeout-started and logoff-timeout-service events, to represent times above 65535 seconds accurately. Redundant runnable-state-entered events are eliminated in cases where the virtual machine was already in runnable state.
Status	Available June 13, 2023
Target availability	June 2023
Compatibility	This support is upward compatible. Where existing event record formats are modified, the new information is appended at the end. Existing fields retain their prior content, with one exception: previously, a logoff-timeout value above 65535 seconds was incorrectly truncated to 16 bits; the maximum representable value, 65535, will be presented in this field instead.   Existing programs that consume *VMEVENT data must be able to tolerate (e.g., ignore) new record types as well as content appended to existing record types.
Enablement	Apply PTF and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code.
Effect	No known effects.
ISV impact	No known impacts.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.VMEVENT
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66679
PTF	UM90293
RSU	TBD

 

VSwitch Bridge Port Enhancements
Name	VSwitch Bridge Port Enhancements
Description	VSwitch Bridge Port Enhancements adds a new NICDISTRIBUTION option to the VSwitch HiperSockets Bridge. When activated, this new option enables the Bridge to distinguish and manage separately the traffic generated by various HiperSocket connections on the same HiperSocket CHPID used by the Bridge. Traffic entering and exiting the Bridge Port via an OSA link aggregation group will be more evenly distributed among the assigned OSAs in the group. Activation of the new option also enables the VSwitch to extract IPv4 and IPv6 address assignments for display in QUERY VSWITCH.
Status	Available December 10, 2021
Target availability	December 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTFs and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code. The NICDISTRIBUTION feature can be set on a VSwitch basis. The default behavior is how it currently works. It can be changed dynamically with the SET VSWITCH BRIDGEPORT NICDISTRIBUTION command.
Effect	With a NICDISTRIBUTION ON configuration, there is additional processing to interrogate each Ethernet frame and inspect the source MAC Address. Performance measurements indicate no noticeable impact by this change. It is, of course, work load dependent. With NICDISTRIBUTION OFF, the extra frame inspection is not performed.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No known Linux or hardware interaction.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.VSWITCH.NICDISTRIBUTION
Release(s)	z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	See below for the IBM service information.
APAR	VM66557
PTF	UM35920
RSU	TBD

 

Warning Track Interruption Facility
Name	Warning Track Interruption Facility
Description	Warning Track Interruption Facility will be exploited at z/VM host level to receive warnings that PR/SM will undispatch a logical CPU from its backing physical CPU. With these warnings, CP can undispatch work running on said logical CPU to make it redispatchable elsewhere.
Status	Available November 8, 2023.
Target availability	December 2023
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities.
Enablement	Apply PTF and re-IPL z/VM to activate the code. The function will be enabled by default. The support will include a new SRM configuration statement option as well as a new SET SRM dynamic command option to enable/disable Warning Track exploitation in z/VM.
Effect	Warning Track intends to reduce suspend time and other poor performance symptoms observed when low entitlement LPARs consume more than their entitlement.
ISV impact	Some monitor changes will be included in the support. If you have a performance product, please see your vendor.
Linux or hardware interaction	Requires z14 or higher. No known Linux interaction at this time.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.SRM.WARNINGTRACK
Release(s)	z/VM 7.3 New Function APAR
Service details	CP	Perfkit
APAR	VM66678	VM66709
PTF	UM90375	UM90372
RSU	TBD	TBD

 

z/XC Architecture Support
Name	z/XC Architecture Support
Description	z/XC Architecture support will add a new virtual machine architecture mode that enables CMS applications running in z/Architecture to take advantage of multiple address spaces. A z/XC guest will be able to exploit VM Data Spaces with z/Architecture in the same way that an ESA/XC guest can exploit them with Enterprise Systems Architecture. This support will allow z/Architecture CMS (z/CMS) to use VM Data Spaces for functions such as accessing Shared File System (SFS) Directory Control (DIRCONTROL) directories. It will also allow use of programs employing z/Architecture instructions and registers (within the limits of z/CMS support) and exploiting data spaces in the same CMS session.
Status	Available March 31, 2021
Target availability	March 2021
Compatibility	No known incompatibilities. Statement of support for z/VM 7.1 may be limited.
Enablement	Apply the PTF and re-IPL CP. Then, in a virtual machine, SET MACHINE XC and IPL ZCMS.
Effect	None anticipated.
ISV impact	No known impacts at this time.
Linux or hardware interaction	No interaction or dependency is anticipated.
Environment variable name	CP.FUNCTION.ZXC
Release(s)	z/VM 7.1 and z/VM 7.2 New Function APAR
Service details	CP	CMS	PTK
APAR	VM66201	VM66425	VM66489
PTF	UM35770, UM35771	UM35820, UM35821	UM35816
RSU	TBD	TBD	TBD

 

Request to become more involved

If you have interest in a project above and would like more information, feel free to contact Kerry Wilson - kerryw@us.ibm.com. Please understand that we may need to limit participation and there are other requirements that may vary from project to project.

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