VM news and site changes
Keep apprised of news, announcement and events with this handy reference to highlights and news links, organized by month.


Updated: 18 Dec. 2007
December 2007
SDO Updates
The SDO for z/VM 5.3 includes December 2007 service.
(With thanks to Willian Rampazzo and Barbara Johnson)
Dynamic Volume Expansion on DS8000
z/VM provides toleration for Dynamic Volume Expansion, a new functional capability for the DS8000 series that was announced October 23, 2007.

More Live Virtual Classes for z/VM and Linux on System z
The December LVC's are availble for replay:
Linux on System z Security
by Peter Spera
Making z/VM and Linux Guests Production-Ready
by Jon vonWolfersdorf
DB2 Server for VSE&VM Version 7.5: New Features
Frank C. Fillmore, Jr., President, The Fillmore Group
Charts: PDF

Mark your 2008 Calendar ...
Technical Conferences with a focus on IBM System z

Feb. 24-29 Orlando, FL SHARE
April 18-22 Chattanooga, TN WAVV
May 05-09 Dresden, Germany IBM System z Technical Conference
Oct. 13-17 Las Vegas, NV IBM System z Expo
 

Software withdrawal - December 4, 2007
Selected IBM System z products. Some replacements available
US 907-245 EUR & LA ZP07-0510 CAN A07-2437 AP WP07-0245


November 2007
VM LP Migration Matrix Document Updated View the VM Licensed Products Migration Matrix as of Nov. 15, 2007
The "LP Matrix" is a point-in-time migration planning aid showing the level(s) of IBM licensed products supported on current releases of z/VM.

SDO Updates
The SDO for z/VM 5.3 includes November 2007 service.
(With thanks to Willian Rampazzo and Barbara Johnson)
Announcement - Nov. 13, 2007
 
IBM DB2 Server for VSE and VM V7 delivers an enhanced database client base for building on demand solutions
(IBM US SW Announcement 207-304)

Technical Presenters in your area
Did you know that you can hear some of the technical presentations from SHARE and the IBM System z Expo at your local user groups?
Attend this regional group in November:
NEUVM - Randolph, MA - November 29

Hear these presentations:
- Synsort on system z Linux
- Oracle on System z Linux
- The dawn of the Virtual Client on System z Linux
- Tiakadom - Hopolon Infotainment


More Live Virtual Classes for z/VM and Linux on System z
Replay available for these LVC's:
Linux on System z Planning - Where to Begin
by John Schnitzler
Linux on System z Security
by Peter Spera
Making z/VM and Linux Guests Production-Ready
by Jon vonWolfersdorf

Read new Redpaper drafts:
- Sharing and maintaining Linux under z/VM
- Linux on System z: Performance Measurement and Tuning

Read new z/Journal monthly offering:
Linux on System z Spotlight


October 2007
IBM Webcast about RACF and zSecure Suite
Thursday, October 25, 2007
11 a.m., EDT, 4:00 p.m. BST
Registration page

If your business is considering moving applications to z/VM®, security concerns may be at the top of your list. Can you have the same level of RACF® security available on z/OS® for applications deployed on z/VM? Put your mind at ease. With the RACF Security Server feature for z/VM, you can enjoy the flexibility of z/VM with the security of System z™ … as long as you know how to configure RACF for optimal results. More...


IBM Launches "Mainframe Gas Gauge" in Environmental Push
An Industry-First, New Environmental Figures Demonstrate the Mainframe's Energy Usage Versus x86 Servers and Other Distributed Computing Platforms
ARMONK, NY - 11 Oct 2007: In an extension of the company's Project Big Green, IBM (NYSE: IBM) today launched a program that allows mainframe customers to (Full article)
Also, read about IBM Project Big Green.

"Live Virtual Class" (LVC) for z/VM
The next three Live Virtual Classes are focused on Security for z/VM and Linux and are planned for:

October 2: z/VM Security Architecture, Alan Altmark
OCT 2 LVC is CANCELLED.
Once we have a new date/time we will post it here and on the listservs

Register for Oct. 2 LVC

October 16: z/VM LDAP and Security (details), Alan Altmark
We apologize but we must also postpone the Oct 16 LVC.
Once we have a new date/time we will post it here and on the listservs

November 13: Linux on System z Security, Peter Spera

Technical Presenters in your area
Did you know that you can hear some of the technical presentations from SHARE and the IBM System z Expo at your local user groups?

Attend these regional groups in October:

Herndon, VA on October 09 - HILLGANG PDF POSTPONED ! Stay tuned.
Lincolnshire,IL on October 18 - CAVMEN
New York City on October 25 - MVMUA
Columbus, OH on October 26 - MVMRUG POSTPONED until Jan. 2008 !



September 2007
New z/VM Class open for enrollment
z/VM Introduction and Concepts (ZV020) is scheduled and open for enrollment. It is also available for private classes, too.
SDO Updates
The SDO for z/VM 5.3 includes September 2007 service.
(With thanks to Willian Rampazzo and Barbara Johnson)
Enroll to listen to the replay of Virtualization Basics "Live Virtual Class" (LVC) for z/VM
The third in a series of Live Virtual Classes (LVC) (more or less webcasts) was held Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007

Virtualization Basics
Speaker: Brian Wade, IBM

Enroll and listen to replay


View PDF Presentation slides
Abstract:
This presentation will give you a strong understanding of what the industry buzzword "virtualization" means in the context of System z processors and the z/VM operating system. Key topics will include System z computing concepts, the z/VM virtual machine model, commands and facilities for configuring virtualized resources, virtual machine scheduling and dispatching, methods for virtualizing memory and I/O devices, and ways z/VM's computing environment transcends mere hardware virtualization.


Save the dates for 2008 IBM System z Tech Conference

IBM System z Expo
Oct. 13-17, 2008
Las Vegas, Nevada


And, in Europe:
IBM System z Technical Conference
May 05-09, 2008
Dresden, Germany



August 2007
Attend SHARE User Group

SHARE Aug. 12-15 San Diego, California
Whether you live near San Diego or you can travel there easily, you will enjoy a stellar program for z/VM and Linux on System z. And, on Wednesday evening celebrate VM's 35th with the Share VM bears :-)

Enroll to listen to the next "Live Virtual Class" (LVC) for z/VM
The third in a series of Live Virtual Classes (LVC) (more or less webcasts) is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007

Virtualization Basics
Speaker: Brian Wade, IBM Time: : 10 am Eastern (NY)

Enroll by end of day Aug. 13 to participate in Live Virtual Class.

Abstract:
This presentation will give you a strong understanding of what the industry buzzword "virtualization" means in the context of System z processors and the z/VM operating system. Key topics will include System z computing concepts, the z/VM virtual machine model, commands and facilities for configuring virtualized resources, virtual machine scheduling and dispatching, methods for virtualizing memory and I/O devices, and ways z/VM's computing environment transcends mere hardware virtualization.
View PDF Presentation slides


Press release - Aug. 01, 2007
 
IBM's Project Big Green Spurs Global Shift to Linux on Mainframe
Plan to Shrink 3,900 Computer Servers to About 30 Mainframes Targets 80 Percent Energy Reduction Over Five Years ((Full article...)

Announcement - Aug. 07, 2007
 
IBM Integrated Removable Media Manager for the Enterprise on System z V1.1 provides automated tape media management for datacenters
US 207-174, Europe ZP07-0344, Canada A07-1886, AP AP07-0174)


July 2007
Attend 1-day User Groups

MVMUA July 25 Marist College - Poughkeepsie NY
Come upstate and hear the latest on Linux on System z, RACF, OMEGAMON XE, and provide feedback directly to the "VM Pubs" team.
Note the new location for July and the change in day of the week!

Keep up with the newest release of z/VM
Generally Available on Friday, June 29, 2007
z/VM V5.3 resources

Listen to the replay of "Live Virtual Class" (LVC) for z/VM
The second in a series of Live Virtual Classes (LVC) (more or less webcasts) was presented Tuesday, July 24 by Bill Bitner, IBM.

z/VM V5.3 Performance Update
Speaker: Bill Bitner, IBM Time: 10 am Eastern (NY)

Abstract: The newest release of z/VM was generally available on June 29, 2007 and has significant improvements to performace and capacity. This Live Virtual Class (LVC) session will describe some of the key performance related changes in the release and how they may apply to your system. Customer workloads on z/VM have continued to grow this decade. The newest release of z/VM was design to keep you from out growing your z/VM system. The design includes improved scalability in: processor, real memory, networking, and disk I/O. In each of these areas, we'll describe the old limits and how they have been addressed.

Register to listen to the replay.



New IBM Redbooks draft
Please read and send comments to IBM Redbooks about this draft.
Introduction to the New Mainframe: z/VM Basics


June 2007
Listen to the "Live Virtual Class" (LVC) for z/VM
We've begun a series of Live Virtual Classes (LVC) (more or less webcasts). Mark your calendar for the next LVC to be presented July 24 by Bill Bitner, IBM on the z/VM V5.3 Performance Update.

Listen to the replay of the June 26 LVC (instructions below).

zVM V5.3 Intro - Advancing the Art of Server Virtualization
Speaker: Reed Mullen, IBM

Abstract: This presentation will highlight the new functions available with z/VM V5.3; IBM's advanced server virtualization solution for IBM System z. z/VM V5.3; generally available on June 29; 2007; offers enhanced virtualization capabilities which include: greater “scale up” and “scale out” support; new system security features; productivity improvements for the IT staff; and enhanced support for business continuance. Find out how z/VM V5.3 can help clients further leverage their System z infrastructure for improved business results.

Listen to the playback:

  1. Register to listen to the playback of this Live Virtual Class
  2. On registration confirmation screen, click "Link to attend"
  3. On the next screen, click "PLAYBACK" to hear the recording"


Announcement June 12, 2007
IBM z/VM V5.3 - Additional enhancements available
US 207-135
Canada A07-1648
Europe ENUSZP07-0297
Latin America ZP07-0297
Asia Pacific AP07-0135

z/VM V5.3 planned availability: June 29, 2007
z/VM V5.3 ordering begins: June 15, 2007
z/VM V5.2 is withdrawn from marketing on June 15, 2007


z/VM General Availability and new/updated materials
Generally Available on Friday, June 29, 2007
z/VM V5.3 resources
z/VM V5.3 program directories (Thanks to Tami Zebrowski-Darrow)
z/VM V5.3 vendor products (Thanks to Keri Borrego)
z/VM V5.3 CP Data Areas and Control Blocks (Thanks to Tom De Forest)
z/VM V5.3 CMS Data Areas and Control Blocks (Thanks to Tom Paoletti)
z/VM V5.3 Monitor Records (Thanks to Patty Rando)
z/Architecture CMS documentation (Thanks to Tami Zebrowski-Darrow)
z/VM Performance Report (Thanks to Wes Ernsberger)
z/VM RSU Content (Thanks to Susan Baloga)
z/VM V5.3 FAQ (June 2007) (Thanks to Denny Refsnider)
IBM HyperPAV support on z/VM V5.3 (Thanks to Steve Wilkins)
SDO Updates
The SDO for z/VM 5.3 includes June 2007 service.
(With thanks to Willian Rampazzo and Barbara Johnson)
Attend Upcoming User Groups

CAVMEN June 21 Hewitt Associates in Lincolnshire, IL
MVMUA July 25 Marist College in Hyde Park, NY

Take a class ...
z/VM and Linux classes in Denver, Los Angeles, and New Orleans
  Installing, Configuring and Servicing z/VM for Linux Guests (ZV062)
  z/VM and Linux Connectivity and Management (ZV100)
  Linux Implementation for zSeries (ZL100)
  Linux Basics - A zSeries Perspective (ZL120)
  Advanced Solutions for Linux on zSeries (ZL150)
  z/VM RACF and DIRMAINT Implementation (ZV200)

Service News
Read about the change to the HIPER APAR classification for z/VM


Software Withdrawal Announced June 5, 2007
Selected IBM System z products Some replacements available.
US: 907-115     Europe: ZP07-0280     AP: WP07-0115    




May 2007
SDO Updates
The SDO for z/VM 5.2 includes April 2007 service.
(With thanks to Willian Rampazzo)
Updated materials for April 18, 2007 announcement
Attend Upcoming User Groups

WAVV May 18-22 Green Bay, WI
WISC zLUG PDF May 16 Milwaukee, WI
HILLGANG PDF May 23 Herndon, VA
NEUVM May 24 Randolph, MA

Read a little...
IBM Redbooks:
IBM System z9 Business Class Technical Introduction


April 2007
New VM Class from IBM
ZV02 - z/VM Introduction and Concepts
Currently available in Canada and in Finland
Announcement April 18, 2007
IBM z9 EC and z9 BC - delivering greater value for everyone

And for z/VM this includes:

  • Support for the IBM System Storage 2145 SAN Volume Controller
    Support for the IBM System Storage SAN Volume Controller (SVC) Storage Engine 2145 is designed to allow Linux on System z guests of z/VM V5 (all releases) to access IBM System Storage disk subsystems, including the DS4000™ series, and other OEM SCSI disk devices. The SVC can be used to provide SCSI devices as emulated FBA devices for use by CP and guest operating systems by z/VM V5.3 and z/VM V5.2 with the PTF for APAR VM64128.
  • VSWITCH support for OSA-Express2 IEEE 802.3ad Link Aggregation
    VSWITCH support for IEEE 802.3ad link aggregation and failover support is designed to allow OSA-Express2 ports that are associated with a virtual switch to be grouped and used as a single fat pipe.” This helps increase bandwidth and provides more seamless failover in the event of a link failure and requires associated OSA-Express2 support on the IBM z9 EC and z9 BC with the May 28, 2007 level of Licensed Internal Code (LIC).
  • z/VM Integrated Systems Management
    z/VM provides an interface in z/VM V5.3 to allow basic z/VM systems management functions to be performed from the Hardware Management Console (HMC) without having to establish additional network connections, thereby reducing the complexity of the system configuration
z/VM V5.3 planned availability: June 29, 2007
Read a little...
Sixth edition (April 2007) of z/Architecture Principles of Operation
Enroll today in IBM System z Technical Conferences
IBM System z and Storage Technical Conference
April 16-20, 2007
Munich, Germany
All sessions presented in English.

View the PDF agenda and PDF session abstracts

IBM System z Expo
Sept. 17-21, 2007
San Antonio, Texas


Attend Upcoming User Groups

MVMRUG April 20 Columbus, OH
MVMUA April 24 New York, NY
CAVMEN April 26 Lincolnshire, IL
WAVV May 18-22 Green Bay, WI
WISC zLUG PDF May 16 Milwaukee, WI
NEUVM May 24 Randolph, MA


March 2007
Register for CUNY Linux Council
Friday, March 30. 2007
CUNY (City University of New York) Linux Council
hosted by the CLOST (CUNY Linux and Open Source Technology) Center CUNY, IBM, Novell and Red Hat have joined together to bring you a special event that includes experts from the Linux and Open Source communities.
Redbook Residency - Apply by 27 April 2007
Update: Linux on IBM System z: Performance Measurement and Tuning, ZS-LX25-R01
Examine performance measurement and tuning for running Linux as a z/VM guest on IBM z9xx zSeries machine
Read a little...
IBM Partners With Novell and Red Hat to Distribute Linux on Mainframe Servers
By Nancy Scala of IBM, Mark Spencer of Red Hat, and Starla Cox of Novell, Inc.
Issue Date: Mainframe edition - March 2007
 
Corralling Server Sprawl
By Shari Killion of Mainstar Software Corporation
Issue Date: Mainframe edition - March 2007
 
PDF z/VM and Linux on IBM System z The Virtualization Cookbook -- A cookbook for installing and customizing z/VM 5.2 and Linux SLES 10 on the mainframe
 
PDF z/VM and Linux on IBM System z: The Virtualization Cookbook for RHEL 5 -- A cookbook for installing and customizing z/VM 5.2 and Linux RHEL 5 on the mainframe
 
Register for IBM System z Web broadcast
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
2:00 PM ET
IBM System z and TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)

Do you know what time it is? Read important news about Daylight Saving Time 2007 Changes (DST2007)
Updated: 09 March 2007

A provision of the U.S. Government's Energy Policy Act of 2005, extends Daylight Saving Time (DST) by four weeks, beginning in 2007. Starting in March 2007, daylight time in the United States will begin on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November. Read the document describing how the changes to U.S. daylight saving time affect z/VM. For other products and platforms, refer to the IBM Support Daylight Saving Time alert
 




February 2007
Announcement Feb. 06, 2007
IBM z/VM V5.3 - Improving scalability, security, and virtualization technology
Keep apprised on this new release:

Announcement Feb. 06, 2007
Preview: IBM z/OS V1.9 advanced infrastructure solutions for your business needs (US: 207-018)
 
Read a little...
Living Next Door to the DMZ
By Peter Spera, IBM
Making the System z platform the ideal host for a business-critical DMZ
Issue Date: Mainframe edition - January | February 2007

New Redbook (draft):
Introduction to the New Mainframe: Security

New Redbook
Using z/VM for Test and Development Environments: A Roundup
 


Ensure that your System z order is complete and error-free
ShopzSeries promotion:
Don't miss your opportunity to purchase online and receive a free leather laptop briefcase valued at $150.00.
SDO Updates
The SDO for z/VM 5.2 includes February 2007 service.
(With thanks to Willian Rampazzo)
 


January 2007
One-day updates
Consider spending a day with one of the regional user groups for VM and Linux updates and to connect with colleagues. Below are opportunities for one-day events!
Announcement Jan. 09, 2007
z/VSE 4.1 supports z/Architecture, and introduces sub-capacity pring
 
When's the next RSU?
2007 plan for the the z/VM V5.1 and z/VM V5.2 RSU.
 
SDO Updates
The SDO for z/VM 5.2 includes January 2007 service.
(With thanks to Zachery Korpela and Barbara Johnson)
 


December 2006
One-day updates
Consider spending a day with one of the regional user groups for VM and Linux updates and to connect with colleagues. Below is an opportunity to learn about z/VM and Linux on the mainframe.
SDO Updates
The SDO for z/VM 5.2 includes Dec. 2006 service.
(With thanks to Zachery Korpela and Barbara Johnson)
 
System z Expo presentations
View presentations from the System z Expo (Oct. 2006) that have since been updated or that for some reason did not make it on the conference CD provided to attendees.




Historical information
Link or view news or changes made during these years:
2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996.