Abstract for z/VM: Running Guest Operating Systems

This topic collection is intended to help you to plan for and operate guest operating systems under z/VM®. It also includes sample EXECs to help you automate certain tasks.

Note: Unless otherwise specified, assume that any EXEC mentioned in this information is not available on the z/VM product tape.

This information provides no programming information for customers.

Intended audience

This information is intended for anyone who has installed a stand-alone operating system and who now needs help planning for it and running it as a guest operating system under z/VM.

This information is not a substitute for training or for having a basic understanding of z/VM. So, before using this information, you should:
  • Be able to operate the guest system on a real machine
  • Be familiar with the z/VM IPL procedure
  • Understand the basic concepts and facilities of z/VM
  • Be able to operate a z/VM system.

The material presented might not be directly applicable to all installations. You must determine the usefulness of the procedures and examples presented.

A note about commands

z/VM commands can be used from a variety of environments for a variety of purposes. You can process commands from EXECs, from such program services as CMSCALL and DIAGNOSE X'08', or from the command line. Some parts of command output are more useful when handled by an EXEC or other program service. Other elements are more useful when appearing on the command line.

When using commands, consider the following:
  • Textual output from commands might change over time. In particular, the format of command output could change, based on display considerations. It is IBM®'s intent to change textual output only when necessary.
  • IBM intends to keep return codes compatible from release to release.