Support for PAV is now available
Parallel Access Volume (PAV) is an optional licensed feature of the IBM System Storage DS8000 and DS6000, and IBM TotalStorage ESS series. It enables a single System z server to simultaneously process multiple I/O operations to the same volume.
PAV support is now available in z/VSE V4.2 with APAR DY46953/PTF UD53399 (01C) and UD53400 (01J).
IBM z/VSE Version 4 Release 2 - Additional enhancements available z/VSE Version 4 Release 2 (z/VSE V4.2) is the latest in the ongoing evolution of z/VSE. z/VSE V4.2 now offers additional enhancements:
Support for the following hardware technologies:
Parallel Access Volume (PAV) feature of IBM System Storage series DS8000 and DS6000. With PAV, applications may experience performance improvements when using I/O processing in different tasks.
IBM DS8000 Full Disk Encryption providing the ability to encrypt data residing on DS8000 series storage, helping to mitigate the risk of theft, mismanagement, or loss of business-critical data.
IBM Virtualization Engine TS7700 Release 1.5 including support for the TS7720 virtual tape system designed for use in a mainframe environment, supporting a Tape Volume Cache capacity up to 70 TB but without a physical tape library for back-end processing.
April 28, 2009
Encryption Facility for z/VSE V1.2
Encryption Facility for z/VSE is an optional, priced feature of VSE Central Functions Version 8. It is a host-based software solution designed to encrypt sensitive data before transferring it to tape for archival purposes, or to exchange with remote locations or business partners. In addition to writing encrypted data to tape, EF for z/VSE can be used to produce encrypted data written to disk and other removable media.
With Release 2, EF for z/VSE has been enhanced to support the OpenPGP standard. OpenPGP is a standard protocol for ensuring the integrity of data that can be exchanged between trusted partners. OpenPGP support is designed to offer even more choice and flexibility for exchanging data with business partners. For example, it does not require that your business partners purchase new storage hardware, have a mainframe, or run z/VSE.
IBM Rational COBOL Runtime for z/VSE V7.5 IBM Rational Business Developer is the newest, most productive way to create modern application solutions that support a variety of platforms. It is based on open, industry standard Eclipse technology. EGL applications created by Rational Business Developer can be targeted to run on z/VSE as well as other common production platforms such as z/OS, Linux, AIX, i5/OS, Windows, etc.
IBM WebSphere MQ for z/VSE V3.0:
IBM WebSphere MQ for z/VSE V3.0 is a new Version of the WebSphere MQ family of messaging products. It delivers enhanced manageability through WebSphere MQ Explorer, as well as currency, and performance enhancements for the IBM z/VSE platform.
IBM WebSphere MQ for z/VSE 3.0, integrates with IBM WebSphere MQ in solutions for:
IBM System z10 Business Class:
IBM announced the IBM System z10 BC, a world class enterprise server designed to meet your business needs. The System z10 BC is built on the inherent strengths of the IBM System z platform and is designed to deliver new technologies and virtualization that provide improvements in price/performance for key new workloads. z/VSE V3.1, z/VSE 4.1 and z/VSE 4.2 support the z10 BC. z/VSE V4.1 and V4.2 are eligible for MWLC pricing when running on a z10 BC server.
October 17, 2008
z/VSE V4.2 is now available
August 5, 2008
z/VSE V4.2 Availability Announced: z/VSE Version 4 Release 2 (z/VSE V4.2) is the latest in the ongoing evolution of z/VSE. z/VSE V4.2 continues the z/VSE focus on scalability, security, interoperability, and service-oriented architecture. It is designed to help protect and leverage existing investments in VSE information assets.
June 13, 2008
Beginning June 13, 2008, z/VSE V4.1.2 replaces z/VSE V4.1.1: Changes in z/VSE V4.1.1 include:
accumulated service
February 26, 2008
IBM System z10 Enterprise Class:
IBM announced the IBM System z10 EC, a world class enterprise server designed to meet your business needs. The System z10 EC is built on the inherent strengths of the IBM System z platform and is designed to deliver new technologies and virtualization that provide improvements in price/performance for key new workloads. z/VSE V3.1, z/VSE 4.1 and z/VSE 4.2 support the z10 EC. z/VSE V4.1 and V4.2 are eligible for MWLC pricing when running on a z10 EC server.
January 18, 2008
z/VSE V3.1.3 is available: z/VSE V3.1.3 replaces z/VSE V3.1.2. Changes include integration of:
Sub-Capacity Reporting Tool V14.2 is now available with support for z/VSE V4.1 The Sub- Capacity Reporting Tool (SCRT) allows you to generate Sub-Capacity reports on your z/VSE V4.1 (or later) system. Sub-Capacity reports must be submitted to IBM billing each month in order to qualify for sub-capacity Midrange Workload License Charges (MWLC).
for more information, including instructions on how to download the tool, please see the SCRT User Guide.
October 9, 2007
z/VSE V4.2 Preview z/VSE V4.2 is designed to address the needs of VSE clients with growing workloads. For example, z/VSE V4.2 plans to support more than 255 VSE tasks and up to 32 GB of real processor storage. The Sub-Capacity Reporting Tool (SCRT) will run 'natively' on z/VSE V4.2. The SCRT is now available for z/VSE V4.1 as well. This Preview includes a Statement of Direction (SOD) saying that z/VSE V4.2 will be the last release to offer CICS/VSE V2.3.
Like z/VSE V4,1, V4.2 supports IBM System z9 EC and z9 BC servers as well as z990, z890, z900, and z800 servers. It is eligible for Midrange Workload License Charges (MWLC), in full-capacity or sub-capacity mode.
Encryption Facility for z/VSE V1.1 Announcement Encryption Facility for z/VSE (EF for z/VSE) V1.1 is designed to exploit the powerful encryption capabilities of IBM System z to help you securely and efficiently protect data. EF for z/VSE is an optional, priced feature of VSE Central Functions V8 (z/VSE V4) and is eligible for MWLC pricing. The data format of EF for z/VSE V1.1 is compatible with Encryption Facility for z/OS V1.1 or later.
EF for z/VSE requires CP Assist for Cryptographic Function (CPACF), an optional, no-charge feature of System z9 EC, z9 BC, z990, and z890 servers. EF for z/VSE gives customers another encryption option and complements z/VSE support for the IBM TS1120 encrypting tape drives. The TS1120 is the preferred solution for high volume backup/archive applications. EF for z/VSE is designed to allow secure exchange of encrypted data with other locations within your company, business partners, suppliers, and customers.
With APAR PK48347 (PTF UK26815) the maximum number of datasets that can be allocated for HD databases with DL/I 1.11 has been increased from 5 to 10 datasets allowing a maximum database size of 10 * 4 = 40 GB.
For more information, please see here or the documentation included in PK48347.
July 16, 2007
z/VSE V4.1 is now available on ShopzSeries.
June 18, 2007
The IBM System Storage TS1120 Tape Drive encryption feature support is now available for z/VSE V4.1 and V3.1. Following APARs/PTFs must be installed to activate the support:
The IBM System Storage TS3400 Tape Library and the TS1120 are complementary. The TS3400 Tape Library is designed to provide the high capacity and attractive performance of TS1120 tape drives in a smaller automation footprint. The TS3400 can help keep operational, tape handling costs low.
June 5, 2007
End of Marketing for z/VSE V3.1 announced z/VSE V3.1 has been withdrawn from Marketing effective 31/05/2008. For more information, please see the announcement letter.
May 4, 2007
IBM Print Service Facilities (PSF) for VSE/VM
On January 25th IBM and Ricoh announced the formation of a joint venture company based on IBM's Printing Systems Division. The joint venture will be called the InfoPrint Solutions Company. Ricoh initially will acquire 51 percent of the joint venture and will progressively acquire the remaining 49 percent over the next three years as the joint venture evolves into a fully owned subsidiary of Ricoh. Ricoh will provide the investment necessary for the InfoPrint Solutions Company to continue to innovate and grow, which will benefit current and future customers. The eventual transfer of the IBM Printing Systems Division to Ricoh enables IBM to continue to refine its focus on its strategic businesses and the clients of those businesses, including print and output solutions for enterprises. See the January 25th press release for more details.
System z and System i print software is not part of the transfer and IBM continues to own these products. Specifically, PSF for VSE/VM remains an IBM product.
March 16, 2007
z/VSE Version 4 Release 1 (z/VSE V4.1) is now generally available
z/VSE V4 operates in z/Architecture mode only. It introduces an attractive new Midrange Workload License Charge (MWLC) pricing metric for z/VSE V4 running on IBM System z9 BC and z9 EC servers.
SecureFTP and AES support available via PTF for z/VSE V4.1
Support for SecureFTP and AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) with key lengths of 128, 192, and 256 bits is now available with TCP/IP for VSE/ESA on z/VSE V4.1.
On z9 BC and z9 EC servers, AES 128-bit key support is also available via the CPACF feature.
Support for SecureFTP is provided with APAR PK39262 (PTF UK22143); the AES support with APAR PK39279 (PTF UK22086 for z/VSE 4.1).
After PTF installation, these functions can be used with the TCP/IP Application Pak license. For a detailed description on how to use SecureFTP please refer to manual "TCP/IP for VSE Optional Features Guide Version 1 Release 5E", which is provided by Connectivity Systems, Inc. for download.
Note: The AES Support is available for z/VSE 3.1 users with PTF UK22085.
February 7, 2007
IBM z/VM V5.3 has been announced
With z/VM V5.3, improvements to scalability, security, and virtualization technology can help support increased workloads on IBM System z9 and zSeries servers and enhance its security characteristics.
z/VSE Version 4 Release 1 (z/VSE V4.1)
z/VSE V4 operates in z/Architecture mode only. It is designed to support 64-bit real addressing. z/VSE V4.1 supports up to 8 GB of real processor storage.
Supports IBM System z9 EC and z9 BC servers, plus IBM eServer zSeries 990, 900, 890, and 800 servers
Adds support for innovative encryption technology, including IBM Systems Storage TS1120 encrypting tape
Continues the VSE focus on service-oriented architecture (SOA) and integrated solutions featuring Linux on System z.
Addresses customer requirements for the Basic Security Manager, VSE/POWER, and other components.
TCP/IP for VSE Service Pack E (APAR PQ87041) is now available. For VSE/ESA 2.7 the PTF number is UK19329.
For z/VSE 3.1 the PTF number is UK19330.
For VSE/ESA 2.6 we are no longer providing PTFs because this CLC 1OQ is out of service since 03/31/2006. Note: Before installing Service Level E, be sure to read the Problem Summary, especially the Security section and perform the required actions.
October 30, 2006
New HLASM Compile option WORKFILE High Level Assembler has introduced a new compile option 'WORKFILE' by APAR PK09700 / PTF UK13782. PTF UK13782 is already installed on z/VSE 3.1.2. This new option allows to use WORKFILEs instead of partition storage for assemblies. To activate the new option you can either use the new option in your compile jobs or you can update the HLASM options macro ASMAOPT and specify WORKFILE=YES, compile the macro and rebuild the HLASM option Phase ASMADOPT.
August 11, 2006
About VSE and Changes to the U.S. Daylight Saving Time (DST) starting in 2007: The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58) was passed by the United States Congress on July 29, 2005 and signed into law on August 8, 2005. This law changes the time-change dates for Daylight Savings Time in the United States. Beginning in 2007, DST will begin on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November. For more information about the impact on VSE please see here (PDF, 11KB).
July 21, 2006
z/VSE V3.1.2: z/VSE V3.1.2 is now available. It contains hardware support and functional enhancements first introduced in z/VSE V3.1.1. z/VSE V3.1.2 contains accumulated service since the z/VSE V3.1 GA in March 2005.
