• S/390 Virtual Image Facility for Linux to be withdrawn from marketing effective April 30, 2002.
  • Software Withdrawal: Selected IBM S/390 Products -- Some Replacements Available (Dec. 04, 2001)
    US Letter, CAN Letter, EMEA & LA Letter
• Visit z/VM V4 R2.0 resources for the latest on the newest release of z/VM.
• New Redpaper (now a Redbook):
  zSeries Hipersockets includes discussion of zVM V4R2 support of HiperSockets and Guest-LAN.
• z/Bulletin (Issue 31) includes articles about z/VM V4 and Linux for zSeries.
• You have a few more days to take advantage of the special promotion of the US IBM Education Pack (link subsequently removed, the offer ended December 31).
• Exploring IBM eServer zSeries and System/390 Servers in its seventh edition.

• Keep apprised of z/VM V4 R2.0, the newest release of z/VM.

• Enjoy some Linux fun and view these animated features (updated weekly)

• Attention to those who link or browse the z/VM site via the numeric IP address:
  The z/VM site IP address will be changing from IP address 204.146.134.2 to IP address 204.146.134.198.

  Our names will remain ibm.com/servers/eserver/zseries/zvm/ and www.vm.ibm.com. Aliases and redirects sprinkled throughout IBM's Internet presence (e.g., http://www.ibm.com/vm/) will continue to work during the changeover period and after the change is complete.

  If you are linking or browsing our site by IP address, you will need to change your reference to use our new IP address 204.146.134.198 or start use ibm.com/servers/eserver/zseries/zvm/ or simply www.vm.ibm.com.

• You have several opportunities for z/VM and Linux for zSeries education and updates this year. See the z/VM events calendar to find a topic and location that fits your needs.
• Announcement: IBM VSE/ESA V2R6 Continues Interoperability Focus (USA letter)
• Announcement: IBM DB2 Server for VSE & VM, Version 7 Release 2 Delivers a Solid Base for Building e-business Solutions (USA letter)

z/VM V4 R2.0

z/VM V4R2.0 resources page links to the latest info since the announcement including...

• z/VM V4 R2.0 Publications
• CMS and CP Data areas and Control blocks
  New addition for z/VM V4R2.0 are the Monitor Record formats which replace the hardcopy book where they were documented in the past.
• Program directories
• Reference guide and spec sheets

Opportunities to listen and learn about z/VM and Linux

• Enroll to hear Linux on zSeries Hardware and Software Update on October 24 at both 10:30am and 2:30pm Eastern times.
• Be sure to attend one of these VM-related user groups to hear the latest about z/VM.
  • The October 22 meeting of MVMUA will hosted at Information Builders at 2 Penn Plaza in New York City.
  • Join the October 26 meeting of the MVMRUG in Dayton, Ohio. Jim Elliot will be there to tell you the latest on z/VM and Linux for zSeries.
• Your next opportunity for z/OS and Linux education with a sprinkle of z/VM is the the October 8-12, 2001 z/OS and OS/390 Expo in Orlando, Florida. Enroll today!
• The October 3 meeting of the UK VM Users Group
  hosted at IBM Warwick.

• Eligible students wishing to participate in the IBM Linux Scholar Challenge must register by October 15, 2001.

Linux on "virtual servers"!

• Sept. 18, 2001 (USA Letter)
  IBM Integrated Facility for Linux (IFL) on Multiprise 3000
• IBM Ships 1000th IBM eserver zSeries 900
  Boscov's to Consolidate Server Farm on Single Mainframe Running Linux
• New Linux Redbook
  Linux for zSeries and S/390 Distributions (SG24-6264)
• IBM deploys Linux for financial industry
  IBM is working with the financial services industry to move key applications to Linux with hardware, software and services support from IBM.

  The Securities Industry Automation Corporation (SIAC) and its subsidiary Sector Inc. are moving their ARTMAIL application to Linux. SIAC is the technology partner of the New York Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange, with responsibility for design, development, implementation and operation of the exchanges' computer systems and communications networks. ( Full article.)

• IBM presentations given at LinuxWorld.

Happy Birthday to RACF

Opportunities to listen and learn about z/VM and Linux

• Attend the annual WAVV Users Group Conference which provides nearly 100 sessions on VSE, VM and Linux-related topics.
  The Sept 21-24 WAVV meeting is canceled. We hope to see you at WAVV in 2002!
• The October 3 meeting of UK VM Users Group will be held at IBM Warwick. The agenda includes "Under 60 MIPS solutions" by Intelliware, "Measuring and Tuning Linux for S/390 servers" by Velocity, and a talk about T3 Servers. Clive Jordan (IBM) will discuss IBM Announcements and z/VM V4R1.0 pricing strategy. Be sure to attend!
• Get the VM Basics for Linux in a two-day class from IBM (Course ZV050)

Q: . Where can one find end-of-marketing and traditional end-of-service dates for VM?

• A:  You can quickly find the matrices for VM End-of-Marketing and VM End-of-Service by selecting the Technical resources at left. This information is also part of the IBM Sales Manual on IBMLink where you can search Software Product descriptions via product name or numbers.

Attention Students!

• Take the IBM Linux Scholar Challenge

Subscribe!

• Front Edge will soon merge with zBulletin to give you one information-packed source of zSeries news, customer stories, solutions and technology.

Opportunities to listen and learn about z/VM and Linux

• Pilot class on Linux on zSeries for Solaris Administrators (Course QPX18) on August 21-24 in New York
• ISV Software for Linux on zSeries -- enroll and listen to the August 22 IBM Teleconference hear the lastest!
  
• Connect to the August 16 Webcast Sponsored by Computer Associates: "Plug Into VM - Virtually Mandatory for Linux and Webifying on Mainframes"
• Plan to attend the next MVMUA (Metropolitan VM Uses Association) on August 6 in Philadephia. Hear from IBM z/VM developers Alan Altmark and Tom DeForest.

For your reading pleasure

• New Linux and z/VM Redpiece:
  Linux for zSeries and S/390: ISP/ASP Solutions

• Licensed Products Migration Matrix for z/VM and VM/ESA has been updated.
  Read more about z/VM V4 R1.0.
• Presentation charts (in PDF format) from the IBM z/VM, VSE, and Linux Technical Conference this past May in Jacksonville.

z/VM availability and announcements

• z/VM Version 4 Release 1.0 Generally Available on July 20, 2001.

  See z/VM V4 R1.0 Resources for announcement, references, and links to related information.

New Linux Redpiece

• Linux for zSeries and S/390 Distributions (SG24-6264)

Upcoming events you won't want to miss

• SHARE - check out the opportunity for both Introductory and Advanced VM System Programming certificates. Also, hear first hand Linux experiences. Can't make it to Minneapolis? Keep apprised of SHARE week activitities with SHARENews Live!
• Enroll to listen to the July 25 Teleconference call:
  z/VM Enhancements in Support of Linux for zSeries.

  Joining George Madl, IBM z/VM Product Owner will be Reed Mullen (IBM z/VM Planning), Tami Zebrowski-Darrow (IBM z/VM Installation and Service) and Jim Vincent (Nationwide Insurance) who participated in the z/VM V4 R1.0 Early Support Program. You will have the opportunity to ask questions. Please join us!

z/VM Press, related announcements, and updates

• Press release:
  IBM Introduces z/VM Version 4, Virtualization Technology for Server Consolidation
• z/VM Performance Report - updated to includes z/VM V4 R1.0 and Linux guest section.
• z/VM V4 R1.0 FAQ's (Frequently asked question)
  See also, z/VM V4 R1.0 Resources.
• Software Withdrawal:
  Selected S/390 Software - Some replacements available
  (US: 901-144, EMEA: ZP01-0330, Canada: A01-0752)
• Price changes: IBM S/390 Multiprise 3000 Enterprise Server Selected Model and Model Conversions (US: 301-084 )

Survey

• Linux for zSeries and S/390 Survey offered on the Linux-390 listserv

VM Downloads

• CMSDDR is now available on the VM Download packages page. CMSDDR package provides you with a kind of I/O redirection for DDR tapes into CMS files via a modified DDR Module. It includes a sample EXEC to perform DDR DUMP and RESTOREs for minidisks and a HELP file explaining the additional features.

Beta programs opportunities

• DB2 Server for VSE & VM V7.2 Beta

Events and Education

• z/VM developers and customers will be presenting at these upcoming events and user groups:
  • New date! August 6 in Philadelphia at the MVMUA
  • June 21 in Lincolnshire, IL, will be the site of the next meeting of CAVMEN (Chicago Area VM ENthusiasts)
  • June 3-7 in Orlando FL at the BMC Software Learning Universe

• Additional dates, classes added:
  (IBMers please visit IBM Global Campus intranet for some IBM-only offerings.)

  - VM Basics for Linux, course ZV050, a 2-day class.
  - Linux Implementation for S/390, course ZL100, a 3-day class.

Announcements and Updates

• IBM is pleased to announce z/VM V4 R1.0
  • Announcement letter (US):
    z/VM V4 Introduces Engine-Based Pricing - Reducing Your Computing Costs
  • z/VM V4 R1.0 Resources
  • VM Reference Guide
  • z/VM V4 R1.0 Spec Sheet
  • TCP/IP for z/VM Spec sheet
  • z/VM V4 R1.0 General Information (GC24-5991)

• Migration Roadmap for LANRES for z/VM customers is available. The IBM z/VM announcement on October 3, 2000 included a statement of direction that no enhancements to the LANRES elements of VM/ESA and of z/VM are planned beyond the function currently contained in z/VM V3R1, and that it is IBM's intent to withdraw LANRES from a future release of z/VM. In anticipation of LANRESs eventual withdrawl, the Migration Roadmap is intended to inform customers of various alternatives to the product functions they currently exploit.
  Download
• SDO (System Delivery Offering):
  The z/VM SDO and the VM/ESA SDO were refreshed in April 2001.
• Preview: VSE/ESA Version 2 Release 6 continues interoperability focus

New RedPaper

• Building Linux Systems Under IBM VM

Education

• VM Basics for Linux , course ZV050. Enroll today in this 2-day course geared to system programmers who will be running their Linux for zSeries and S/390 guests on z/VM.

  Have you considered the IBM Education card? See whether the IBM Education Card can help maximize your education budget.

  (IBM'ers: please use the IBM Global Campus intranet for courses open to IBM internals.)

• Thank you for your participation in the IBM technical conferences at Prague and Jacksonville. It was a pleasure to meet you and we hope you received the information you needed about z/VM and Linux for zSeries.
• z/VM developers and IBM colleagues will be presenting at these upcoming events and regional user group meetings? Check the calendar for the entire schedule.
  • Chris Rorbach (IBM) will present "The Value of z/VM to Linux for zSeries Installations" at the June 3-7 BMC Software Learning Universe.
  • Clive Jordan, IBM UK, will present at the next meeting of the UK and Ireland VM Users Group on June 6 in Slough, Berkshire
  • If you will be near Chicago, consider attending the June 21 meeting of Chicago Area VM ENthusiasts (CAVMEN).

• If you need z/VM and Linux Education, you will find it these IBM events. Enroll today!
  • April 23 - 27, 2001
    Prague, Czech Republic
    IBM zSeries Technical Conference featuring z/OS, z/VM, and Linux for zSeries
  • May 07-10, 2001
    Jacksonville, Florida
    IBM z/VM, VSE, and Linux for Enterprise Servers Technical Conference
• Did you know that z/VM developers often present at regional user group meetings? Check the calendar for the schedule. Our IBM presenters look forward to meeting you at these April events:

  April 19 CAVMEN, Tom DeForest
  April 27 MVMRUG, Lyn Hadley
  April 27 MVMRUG, Mary Ellen Carollo

  April 23 MVMUA, Bruce Dailey
  April 23 MVMUA, Les Geer
  April 23 MVMUA, Carol Kudritz

• The audio recordings of the 3/28 and 3/29 IBM Enterprise Connection Calls on Linux are available for your listening pleasure:
  3/28 A Progress Report on Linux for zSeries and S/390

  3/29 Business Intelligence on Linux for S/390 and z900

• z/VM online publications in both PDF format and BookManager format
• Updates to VM Performance report to include section about Linux Guest IUCV Driver

Two Important Technical Conference Opportunities - Enroll today!

• April 23 - 27, 2001
  Prague, Czech Republic
  IBM zSeries Technical Conference featuring z/OS, z/VM, and Linux for zSeries This conference will be held in conjunction with the IBM Storage and Storage Networking conference (one enrollment fee with access to both events).
• May 07-10, 2001
  Jacksonville, Florida
  IBM z/VM, VSE, and Linux for Enterprise Servers Technical Conference

Announcements

• Software Discontinuance: Selected S/390 Programs - Some replacements available
  901-053 (March 6, 2001, US Letter)
  End-of-service for VM/ESA V2 R3.0 is March 31, 2002.

Linux for zSeries and S/390

• Enroll and listen to the March 28 Enterprise Connection Conference Call entitled "A Progress Report on Linux for zSeries and S/390".
• Document refreshed: Linux for S/390 Trilogy of White Papers describing the proof of point and implementation for an East Coast teleco.

• z/VM V3R1 is Available with Additional Enhancements
• Remember that "GA" is February 23, 2001
• z/VM V3.1 resources updates include:
  • z/VM Performance Report for V3R1.0
  • Online publications for z/VM and VM-related products publications

2001 Technical Conferences!

• April 23 - 27, 2001
  IBM zSeries Technical Conference featuring z/OS, z/VM, and Linux for zSeries This conference is held in conjunction with the IBM Storage and Storage Networking conference.
• May 07-10, 2001
  Jacksonville, Florida
  IBM z/VM, VSE, and Linux for Enterprise Servers Technical Conference

Learn more about z/VM and Linux for S/390 and zSeries

• Installing and Tailoring Your VM System (S3731)
• SHARE in Long Beach, California - includes certificate tracks
• Linux for S/390 Installation workshop (ES04A)
  March 13-15, 2001
  April 03-05, 2001

• Second Edition of z/VM V3 R1.0 General Information is available ( PDF)
  z/VM V3R1.0 resources
• New Redbook: NUMA-Q Enabled for S/390 Technical Introduction, SG24-6215-00
  

• MVMUA meets January 22 in New York, NY
• CAVMEN ( Chicago Area VM ENthusiasts) user group meets January 25 in Lincolnshire, IL
• MVMRUG meeting January 26 in Columbus, Ohio
• Linux for S/390 Installation class will be held Jan 16-18 and Feb 13-15 in Gaithersburg, Maryland