IBM z/VM
ibm.com
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- IBM z/VM is an operating system and hypervisor designed to run guest servers including Linux, z/OS, and z/TPF virtual machines on IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Free plan
- NoRead 20 Sep 2026 · ibm.com
- Integrations
- IBM lists Red Hat OpenShift as a supported workload and offers add-ons for managing z/VM and Linux systems.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Headquarters
- Armonk, New York, United StatesRead 4 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Founded
- 1911Read 4 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Company
- IBM's corporate address is in Armonk, New York, and IBM's history page says its predecessor C-T-R was incorporated in 1911.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Host platforms
- IBM Z and LinuxONERead 20 Sep 2026 · ibm.com
- Host Secure Boot
- z/VM 7.5 can validate signed host IPL code for ECKD and SCSI devices using security keys in the HMC certificate store.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Linux provisioning
- Linux is not provided with z/VM and must be obtained from a Linux distribution partner to run as a guest.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Memory management
- IBM lists Memory Overcommitment Control among z/VM 7.5 features.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Nested virtualization
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · ibm.com
- Optional licenses
- DirMaint, Performance Toolkit, RACF, and RSCS are included in the z/VM 7.4 system image but are installed disabled and require orders to establish licenses before enabling.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Performance monitoring
- Performance Data Pump extracts real-time z/VM performance data for visualization and analysis in enterprise observability products.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Platform limits
- Each z/VM release runs only on specified IBM Z and LinuxONE servers; z/VM 7.5 lists IBM z16, z17, and LinuxONE Emperor 4, Rockhopper 4, Emperor 5, and Rockhopper 5 models.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Pricing model
- IBM describes optional sub-capacity pricing for eligible z/VM programs, which requires IBM License Metric Tool and the z/VM Hypervisor Proxy for ILMT.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Scale
- IBM says z/VM can run hundreds to thousands of guest servers on a single IBM Z or IBM LinuxONE server.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Security configuration
- The z/VM 7.5 default RACF configuration is set to meet Common Criteria requirements, and some environments may require new CP commands to change security settings.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Service delivery
- IBM delivers new z/VM functions through continuous delivery during a release lifecycle.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Systems management
- The Single System Image feature coordinates resources across z/VM systems to reduce planned outages and balance workloads.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
- Workloads
- The product supports Linux, hybrid cloud, and containerized workloads.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Plans and prices
IBM z/VM Priced on request Runs on supported IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE servers · optional features require separate orders and licenses Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Where Specifiction places it
- Mainframe Software#1 of 107.2
- Server Virtualization Software#11 of 227.5
- Hypervisor Software#17 of 267.6
- Virtual machine software#18 of 247.4