z/VM V6.3 Resources

z/VM 6.3 - Virtualization with Efficiency at Scale

IBM z/VM V6.3 extends the mainframe virtualization platform to help you reshape and derive more value from your experiences. z/VM V6.3 is designed to offer:

• More efficient use of CPU resources for improved price performance with support for multi-threading technology (IBM z13)
• Multisystem virtualization to improve z/VM systems management and provide high levels of virtualization, I/O bandwidth, and system availability
• Leading the industry with increased availability and reduced cost of ownership in network environments with Multi-VSwitch Link Aggregation Support (IBM z13)
• Virtual server mobility to help clients avoid planned outages for virtual servers when performing maintenance
• High server consolidation ratio with support for more Linux virtual servers than any other platform in a single footprint
• Improved economies of scale with z/VM Support for 1 TB of real memory
• Improved performance with z/VM HiperDispatch for more efficient utilization of CPU hardware resources for dispatched work
• Support for open cloud architecture-based interfaces with support of OpenStack
• Simplified migration to z/VM V6.3 with upgrade in place reduces the effect of an upgrade on active workloads
• Highly secure industry-standard support that is required for banking and financial-industry applications
• Support for the new IBM z13

Today's z/VM provides a highly secure and scalable enterprise cloud infrastructure and an environment for efficiently running multiple diverse critical applications with support for more virtual servers than any other platform in a single footprint. Enhancements that provide improved scalability and better price performance strengthen z/VM as a foundation for optimized workload deployment with reduced costs per virtual server.

Announcements and News

• February, 2016 - Availability of additional z/VM 6.3 Enhancements - Enhancements have been made available for z/VM 6.3.

• September 11, 2015 - Availability of z/VM 6.3 Enhancements - Enhancements have been made available for z/VM 6.3 in the area of security and prorated core time.

• March 30, 2015 - z/VM 6.3 completes Common Criteria evaluation - more information about this announcement is available on the z/VM Security and Integrity Resources webpage.
  

• January 14, 2015 - IBM z13 Announcement - Redefining Digital Business
  

  US - 115-001	Europe - ZG15-0001
  AP - AG15-0001	Canada - A15-0001
  LA - LG15-0001	JPN - JG15-0001

• April 30, 2014 - System SSL Cryptographic Module Receives FIPS 140-2 Certification - more information about this announcement is available on the z/VM Security and Integrity Resources webpage.
  

• February 24, 2014 - z/VM 6.3 Enhancements Announcement - Extending exploitation of zEnterprise System capabilities
  

  US - 114-009	Europe - ZG14-0009
  AP - AG14-0009	Canada - A14-0010
  LA - LG14-0009	JPN - JG14-0009

• July 23, 2013 - z/VM 6.3 Announcement - IBM z/VM V6.3 Virtualization with Efficiency at Scale
  

  US - 213-297	Europe - ZP13-0376
  AP - AP13-0295	Canada - A13-0573
  LA - LP13-0374	JPN - JP13-0365

• February 5, 2013 - z/VM 6.3 Preview Announcement - IBM z/VM V6.3 Smarter Computing with Efficiency at Scale
  

  US - 213-024	Europe - ZP13-0027
  AP - AP13-0019	Canada - A13-0059
  LA - LP13-0029	JPN - JP13-0025

Ordering and Availablility

• z/VM V6.3 ordering begins: July 23, 2013
• z/VM V6.3 general availability: July 26, 2013
• SDO (System Delivery Offering) is the only method that can be used to order z/VM V6.3
• Internet delivery for z/VM Orders via Shopz
• Tips for ordering z/VM on DVD via Shopz
• Upgrading to z/VM 6.3

Service and Support

• Required Service for z/VM 6.3 and z/VM 6.2 to run on IBM z13. (January 14, 2015)
• z/VM V6.3 planned End of Service: December 31, 2017
• RSU (Recommended Service Upgrade) content

Reference information

• z/VM V6.3 Statements of Direction
• z/VM V6.3 Data Sheet (Updated January 14, 2015 for IBM z13)
• z/VM V6.3 Architecture Level Set
• z/VM 6.3 Performance Report
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Customer references and stories

Online product documentation and publications

• z/VM V6.3 General Information