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IBM United States
Software Announcement 201-041
February 20, 2001

z/VM V3R1 is Now Available with Additional Enhancements

 ENUS201-041.PDF (25KB)


At a Glance

z/VM now includes:

  • An MPROUTE server for greater TCP/IP efficiency
  • Native support for 3590 A60 tape controllers
  • Additional improvements announced for SUF
  • 128-bit encryption/decryption services for the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Kerberos authentication servers

For ordering, contact:

Your IBM representative, an IBM Business Partner, or IBM Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL (Reference: LE001).

Overview

z/VM™ Version 3 Release 1, announced in Software Announcement 200-358 , dated October 3, 2000, will be available on February 23, 2001.

z/VM builds upon the solid VM/ESA® base to deliver enhancements for new hardware technologies such as: 64-bit addressing, FICON™ channels, high-speed communication adapters, and advanced storage solutions.

The z/VM product offers a new base for customers looking to exploit IBM Virtual Machine (VM) technology on the industry's best-of-breed server platform, the IBM e(logo)server zSeries, and includes the following additional enhancements and function:

  • The TCP/IP feature for z/VM has added a Multiple Protocol Route (MPROUTE) server, which supports Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol. This provides greater efficiency within a TCP/IP network by allowing MPROUTE to determine whether a new route has been created, a route is temporarily unavailable, or whether a more efficient route exists.
  • The guest support announced for the 3590 A60 tape controllers has been extended to include native support on z/VM.
  • An updated support statement for the Service Update Facility (SUF), Version 3.

Key Prerequisites

Refer to the Hardware Requirements and Software Requirements specified in Software Announcement 200-358 , dated October 3, 2000, for prerequisite details.

Planned Availability Date

February 23, 2001

Description

z/VM Version 3 Release 1

The following enhancements and function are in addition to z/VM Version 3 Release 1 as previously announced in Software Announcement 200-358 , dated October 3, 2000.

Architecture Support

IBM e(logo)server zSeries 900 Family of Servers: z/VM exploits and supports the z/Architecture enabling you to run 64-bit capable operating systems (OS/390® Release 10, z/OS, and Linux for zSeries) as guests of z/VM when z/VM is running on a zSeries server in 64-bit mode. z/VM guest operating systems running in 31-bit mode such as VSE/ESA™, TPF, OS/390, MVS™, Linux for S/390®, or VM/ESA may realize performance benefits from additional central storage when z/VM is operating in 64-bit mode. In order for z/OS to operate as a guest of z/VM on a zSeries server, z/VM and z/OS™ must be operating in 64-bit mode. For additional information, refer to Appendix B — IBM Operating Systems Supported as Guests of VM in the z/VM General Information on the VM Web site at:

Additional TCP/IP for z/VM Support

MPROUTE Server: This new server implements Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) and Routing Information Protocol (RIP) which provides an alternative to TCP/IP static routing. When configured properly, the VM host running the MPROUTE server becomes an active OSPF and/or RIP router in a TCP/IP network. The MPROUTE server can be used to dynamically maintain the host routing table by using either (or both) of these routing protocols.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Support: SSL is a TCP/IP protocol providing privacy between two communicating applications (a client and a server). Under SSL protocol, the server is always authenticated and must provide a certificate to prove its identity. In addition to authentication, both the client and the server participate in a handshake protocol that produces the cryptographic parameters for the session. The processing required for SSL is provided by a new SSL server supplied with z/VM and supports 40-bit, 56-bit, and 128-bit encryption/decryption services.

128-bit Authentication for Kerberos: The TCP/IP Kerberos Data Encryption Standard (DES) Feature of z/VM has been integrated into the TCP/IP feature of z/VM. This now provides 128-bit encryption/decryption services for the Kerberos authentication server as well as APIs for application programs.

Device Support Enhancements

Native 3560 A60 Tape Controller: In addition to supporting the use of 3590 A60 tape controllers by z/VM guests when the guests themselves support the 3590 tape FICON connection, z/VM will also provide native support for the 3590 tape FICON connection, including FICON-to-ESCON® converter connection.

This support is available by applying APAR VM62710 and will be shipped on the service tape (RSU) supplied with the z/VM install tapes. This APAR is also applicable to VM/ESA V2R3.0 and V2R4.0.

Service Enhancements

S/390 Service Update Facility Version 3: The S/390 Service Update Facility (SUF) is an Internet-based method for the order and delivery of S/390 software service. SUF supports z/VM, VM/ESA, VSE/ESA, OS/390, and z/OS systems.

Enhancements for SUF Version 3 Release 1 planned to be available March 2001 are:

  • Simplified communications through your firewall using HTTP rather than FTP
  • Easier configuration that no longer requires the WebSphere™ Application Server
  • New and improved user interface
  • Support for running the SUF Application on OS/390 and z/OS UNIX® System Services, Linux for 390, Windows 2000, and Windows NT™.

For more details on SUF, visit our SUF home page at:

Euro Currency

This program is EuroReady.

For more information on the implications of the euro, visit the IBM euro Web site at:

EuroReady Products

IBM considers an IBM product to be EuroReady if the product, when used in accordance with its associated documentation, is capable of correctly processing monetary data in the euro denomination and of respecting the euro currency formatting conventions (including the euro sign). This assumes that all other products (for example, hardware, software and firmware) that are used with this product are also EuroReady. IBM hardware products that are EuroReady may or may not have an engraved euro sign key on their keyboards.

Currently, EuroReady status applies primarily to IBM products specific to the EMU countries. Products that are not specific to these countries are deemed to be "not ready" for euro unless otherwise stated in the product's country-specific specifications.

IBM Hardware Ready

IBM supplies certain IBM products which include third party software (pre-loaded or not) and/or third party attached hardware. In these instances IBM is not in a position to assert that these third party products are, in themselves, EuroReady.

Therefore, such IBM products will be designated as Hardware ready.

EuroReady Solutions

IBM considers a solution to be EuroReady when the solution providers have:

  • Analyzed the euro requirements, including the need to comply with relevant EC rules
  • Built in appropriate function

and can clearly demonstrate this by:

  • Detailing euro related requirements
  • Describing how these will be implemented in the solution
  • Declaring when the implementation will be generally available

The euro capabilities of a EuroReady solution will be clearly identified as features of the Solution specification as described in the contracts document.

Product Positioning

z/VM is intended to address the following customer situations:

  • OS/390 customers migrating to OS/390 Release 10 or to z/OS will find z/VM gives them added flexibility for their test and migration work. z/VM supports the execution of 64-bit operating systems running on the new zSeries 900 family of servers.
  • Customers with real memory constraints will experience relief by running z/VM in 64-bit mode on an zSeries 900. This constraint relief is provided for 31-bit guest operating systems such as TPF. It is not uncommon for TPF customers who run tens of guest systems for testing to encounter paging constraints imposed by a 31-bit capable VM/ESA. Customers running a large number of MVS, OS/390, VSE/ESA, or Linux images may also benefit from this support.
  • Customers with multiple servers supporting their business environment can take advantage of larger memory capacity and consolidate more workload on a zSeries 900.
  • VM/ESA customers requiring more memory to cache CMS minidisks can exploit memory above 2 GB for minidisk cache with z/VM.
  • VM/ESA customers will benefit from the enhanced support in z/VM for connectivity (TCP/IP) and device support.
  • VM/ESA customers requiring SSL security for TCP/IP network traffic, such as Telnet sessions and Web transactions, will be able to obtain them with z/VM.
  • Guest Parallel Sysplex® support is enhanced in z/VM with the exploitation of the 64-bit architecture providing the ability to address larger amounts of real and virtual memory. This will allow customers to develop and test their 64-bit applications in a guest environment.

z/VM is the follow-on product for VM/ESA customers. It provides additional support and exploitation opportunities for the thousands of customers that have built enterprise-wide automation and infrastructure enhancements on the VM platform in support of their applications, database systems, network computing, and e-business solutions.

Statement of Direction

The following actions are planned by IBM:

  • LANRES/VM

    LANRES support in z/VM is functionally stabilized at the z/VM Version 3 Release 1 level. z/VM Version 3 Release 1 will be the last release in which LANRES/VM will be shipped. Migration information will be available from the IBM VM Web site after May 1, 2001, at:

  • Service Update Facility

    Future enhancements for SUF are expected to include:

    • Improved performance through multithreaded Internet transmissions
    • Enhanced security and data integrity through the use of digital signature
    • Additional service tailoring options

    For the most current information on SUF, visit the SUF home page at:

These statements represent IBM's current intentions. IBM development plans are subject to change or withdrawal without further notice. Any reliance on this Statement of Direction is at the relying party's sole risk and will not create any liability or obligation for IBM.

Trademarks

 
z/VM, z/OS, e(logo)server, FICON, VSE/ESA, MVS, and WebSphere are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
 
VM/ESA, OS/390, S/390, ESCON, and Parallel Sysplex are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
 
Windows NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
 
UNIX is a registered trademark is a registered trademark of the Open Company in the United States and other countries.
 
Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

Technical Information

Specified Operating Environment

Software Requirements

Software Requirements for TCP/IP Feature for z/VM™: The new SSL server supplied with the TCP/IP Feature for z/VM requires a copy of Linux for S/390®. Commercial distributions of Linux for S/390 are available now. For additional information on the new SSL server, refer to the VM Web site at:

For a complete list of additional Hardware Requirements and Software Requirements, refer to the Technical Information section of Software Announcement 200-358 , dated October 3, 2000.

Customer Financing

IBM Global Financing offers attractive financing to credit-qualified commercial and government customers and Business Partners in more than 40 countries around the world. IBM Global Financing is provided by the IBM Credit Corporation in the United States. Offerings, rates, terms, and availability may vary by country. Contact your local IBM Global Financing organization. Country organizations are listed on the Web at:

Ordering Information

New Licensees

Orders for new licenses can be placed now.

Shipment will not occur before availability date.

Unless a later date is specified, orders entered before the planned availability date will be assigned a schedule date of one week following availability.

New users of z/VM Version 3 Release 1 should specify: 

          Type           Model
 
          5654           A17

The prerequisite no-charge products, EREP (5654-260) and ICKDSF (5684-042) are pre-installed on the base product System DDRs. When ordering z/VM Version 3 Release 1, you must already be licensed for these products or a separate order must be placed for each of these products to establish a license.

For additional information on ordering, pricing, and terms and conditions of z/VM, refer to Software Announcement 200-358 , dated October 3, 2000.

Support Line: Yes. Current charges are unaffected by this announcement.

Order Now

 Use Priority/Reference Code: LE001
 
 Phone:     800-IBM-CALL
 Fax:       800-2IBM-FAX
 Internet:  ibm_direct@us.ibm.com
 Mail:      IBM Atlanta Sales Center
            Dept. LE001
            P.O. Box 2690
            Atlanta, GA  30301-2690

You can also contact your local IBM Business Partner or IBM representative. To identify them, call 800-IBM-4YOU.

Note: Shipments will begin after the planned availability date.

Trademarks

 
z/VM is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
 
S/390 is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
 
Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.