Installing and configuring the SMP/E format

Follow these instructions for installing and configuring the SMP/E format of IBM® Open Enterprise SDK for Python.

The Program Directory for the product provides detailed specific installation requirements and instructions in Chapter 5 and Chapter 6. For information about the latest APAR fixes, see the Fix list for IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Python.

For the step-by-step guide to ordering in Shopz, read the blog Streamlined Shopz ordering process for Python on z/OS® .

The following checklist summarizes the key configuration steps for a successful installation.

Hardware requirements
  • z16®
  • z15®
  • z14®/z14 model ZR1
  • z13®/z13s®
Software requirements
  • z/OS UNIX System Services enabled on any of the following operating systems:
    • z/OS 3.1
    • z/OS 2.5
  • You must have an OMVS segment to run IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Python.
  • Optional: If you are on z13, you must enable Integrated Cryptographic Services Facility (ICSF) on your system where IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Python runs. For more information, see ICSF System Programmer's Guide (SC14-7507) and ICSF Administrator's Guide (SC14-7506).
  • Optional: Packages that are installed with pip might include source that is written in other programming languages. It is your responsibility to ensure that compilers are available for other languages. For more information about IBM C/C++ for Open Enterprise Languages on z/OS 2.0, see Using IBM C/C++ compilers with IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Python .
  • Optional: If you have z Integrated Information Processor (zIIP) configured on your z/OS system, then Python workloads can be run on zIIPs. The following APARS must be installed, otherwise Python will continue running on general processor.
    • BCP APAR OA63406 with PTF UJ92512 – HBB77D0 for z/OS 2.5

Configuration

IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Python is an OMVS-based application, which requires certain configuration on the z/OS UNIX System Services file system to ensure proper operation.
  • Validate that /usr/bin/env exists. If not configured, refer to the instructions in Customization and environment configuration.
  • Ensure that /tmp has at least 660 MB of disk space configured. To use an alternative file system, you can set the TMPDIR environment variable to a directory that has sufficient space.
Optional: This step is a requirement for running on the zIIP processors. You should verify if the Python shared library has been APF authorized by running the following:
extattr <path_to_python_install>/lib/python3.13/lib-dynload/libpyzutil.cpython-313.so
If APF authorization has not been set, as a user with appropriate privileges, run the following command to set APF authorization:
extattr +a <path_to_python_install>/lib/python3.13/lib-dynload/libpyzutil.cpython-313.so

Default installation location for IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Python

The default Python SMP/E installation location on z/OS is /usr/lpp/IBM/cyp/v3r13/pyz.

Environment variables for SMP/E installation

Set the following environment variables before using IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Python.

Configure the PATH and LIBPATH environment variables to include the bin directories for IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Python with the following commands: 

export PATH=/usr/lpp/IBM/cyp/v3r13/pyz/bin:$PATH
export LIBPATH=/usr/lpp/IBM/cyp/v3r13/pyz/lib:$LIBPATH
Set the auto conversion environment variables:
export _BPXK_AUTOCVT='ON'
export _CEE_RUNOPTS='FILETAG(AUTOCVT,AUTOTAG) POSIX(ON)'

When building packages with setuptools or pip, you may encounter build errors related to the compiler argument processing. If you observe these errors while attempting to build a package or extension, see Using IBM C/C++ compilers with IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Python.

Validating IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Python installation

To confirm that the IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Python SMP/E installation has been successfully installed, run the following command:
/usr/lpp/IBM/cyp/v3r13/pyz/install_test.sh
The following output shows that Python is ready for use:
Successfully tested IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Python 3.13.
However, if the following error appears, it indicates that the PTF is not installed, or the dataset is not installed at the default HLQ:
Prerequisite PTF is missing: UI80156 (z/OS 2.5)

Verify that the dataset *.SCEERUN2(CRTEQCXE) exists on your system. If it is installed into a non-standard location, set the _CC_PLIB_PREFIX environment variable to reflect the installation location.