Introduction to the New Mainframe: z/VM Basics

An IBM Redbooks publication

Note: This is publication is now archived. For reference only.

Published 26 November 2007, updated 10 January 2008

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ISBN-10: 0738488550
ISBN-13: 9780738488554
IBM Form #: SG24-7316-00
(457 pages)

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Authors: Lydia Parziale, Edi Lopes Alves, Klaus Egeler, Clive Jordan, Jason Herne, Eli M Dow, Eravimangalath P Naveen, Manoj S Pattabhiraman, Kyle Smith

Abstract

This textbook provides students with the background knowledge and skills necessary to begin using the basic functions and features of z/VM Version 5, Release 3. It is part of a series of textbooks designed to introduce students to mainframe concepts and help prepare them for a career in large systems computing. For optimal learning, students are assumed to be literate in personal computing and have some computer science or information systems background. Others who will benefit from this textbook include z/OS professionals who would like to expand their knowledge of other aspects of the mainframe computing environment. This course can be used as a prerequisite to understanding Linux on System z. After reading this textbook and working through the exercises, the student will have received a basic understanding of the following topics:
The Series z Hardware concept and the history of the mainframe
Virtualization technology in general and how it is exploited by z/VM
Operating systems that can run as guest systems under z/VM
z/VM components
The z/VM control program and commands
The interactive environment under z/VM, CMS and its commands
z/VM planning and administration
Implementing the networking capabilities of z/VM
Tools to monitor the performance of z/VM systems and guest operating systems
The REXX programming language and CMS pipelines
Security issues when running z/VM

Table of contents

Chapter 1. Introduction to the mainframe hardware systems
Chapter 2. Introduction to virtualization and z/VM
Chapter 3. History of z/VM
Chapter 4. z/VM - job roles and basic concepts
Chapter 5. Control Program for new users
Chapter 6. Conversational Monitor System
Chapter 7. The REXX programming language
Chapter 8. CMS pipelines
Chapter 9. System administration tasks
Chapter 10. Performance
Chapter 11. Networking and connectivity
Chapter 12. z/VM security
Chapter 13. Guest operating systems
Appendix A. Enhancements in z/VM Version 5, Release 3
Appendix B. Answer key

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