The version naming scheme for IBM MQ for z/OS

On IBM® MQ for z/OS®, releases have a three-digit Version, Release, and Maintenance (VRM) level code. The code is significant; it identifies the service life of a release. To run a queue manager at a different VRM level, you must migrate the queue manager, its applications, and the environment in which it runs. Depending on the migration path, the migration might require more or less effort.

The release level of IBM MQ for z/OS is described by a three-digit VRM code. The VRM acronym stands for:

 Version . Release . Modification

6.0.0, 7.0.0, 7.0.1, 7.1.0, and 8.0.0 are examples of IBM MQ for z/OS release level codes. On z/OS, a release of IBM MQ always has a three-digit VRM code, even if the release is the first release in a version, such as 7.0.0. IBM MQ for z/OS follows a convention of changing the VRM when the product is installed by SMP/E with a new FMID.

You can modify existing libraries, without changing the FMID, by applying PTFs. You cannot upgrade existing libraries to an FMID or release level by applying PTFs.

The release level of a z/OS queue manager is written to the operator console in the message CSQY000I.

The command level of a queue manager is a three-digit VRM code. You can look at the queue manager command level in the queue manager property panel in IBM MQ Explorer. An IBM MQ program can call MQINQ, passing the MQIA_COMMAND_LEVEL selector, to obtain the command level of the queue manager it is connected to.

The VRM code, or release level, is significant in two respects. Changing the release level that a queue manager runs at, requires migration of the queue manager. It also requires attention to the PTF level of other queue managers that are in the same queue sharing group. It is also significant because each release level has its own service life, and end of service date.

The service life depends on the VRM. Each release level has its own service end date. So, for example, 7.0.0, on z/OS, has a different service end date from 7.0.1. See the Software lifecycle search results for "IBM MQ". Scroll through the search results to find your version of IBM MQ, then follow the link to find the service life and end of service dates.