What is the z/OS Connect native server?

The z/OS Connect native server runs as a z/OS address space and provides RESTful API access to z/OS applications and data that is hosted in subsystems such as CICS® and Db2.

The framework provides concurrent access, through a common interface, to multiple z/OS subsystems.

The z/OS Connect native server also provides the capability for CICS COBOL applications to access any RESTful endpoint, inside or outside z/OS, through RESTful APIs with JSON formatted messages.

WebSphere Application Server Liberty profile

WebSphere® Application Server Liberty profile is a component-based runtime for Java™ web and enterprise applications.

The z/OS Connect native server is built on the WebSphere Application Server for z/OS Liberty profile and relies on many of its core capabilities for essential functions. For example, the z/OS Connect native server configuration is based on the same style of XML files that are used by Liberty, and can use many of the security features provided by the Liberty. For this reason, this documentation includes links to the WebSphere Application Server for z/OS Liberty documentation when a relevant topic is applicable to the z/OS Connect native server.

Note: The installation of Liberty that is included with the z/OS Connect native server is dedicated to running IBM® z/OS Connect servers, and cannot be used to host any other applications. Therefore, not all of the facilities that are described in the Liberty documentation are applicable for use with a IBM z/OS Connect solution.

Process types for Liberty runtime environment on z/OS

There are two types of process: the server process and the Angel process.

If you have multiple products installed that require the Angel process, you must run the Angel process with the highest level of Liberty profile code that is shipped with any of those products to ensure you have the latest capability. Multiple instances of the Angel process are supported on a single LPAR to give you the option of using a dedicated Angel process for IBM z/OS Connect.

For more information, see Process types on z/OS in the WebSphere Application Server documentation.

For more information, see Liberty overview in the WebSphere Application Server for z/OS Liberty documentation.