How is zCX similar to and different from Linux?

IBM zCX is a virtual Docker software appliance that includes all the necessary software components to allow a user to deploy and manage Linux on Z Docker images (for example, s390x architecture) inside z/OS. The software appliance includes a commercial Linux kernel supported and maintained by IBM and provides the Docker command line interface (CLI) to implement a fully functional Docker environment. Users log in to the zCX instance through Secure Shell (SSH), and run in a Bash shell as they would on any Linux platform.

This Linux environment is tailored to support the Docker CLI, and is not intended to be a general purpose operating environment. Users are prevented from performing most root operations, so that the kernel remains properly configured for running Docker. If users need a fully functional Linux environment, they should create a Docker image with whatever Linux distribution they need, and run it through the Docker CLI.

One exception to the root authority restriction is the ability of the primary zCX instance administrator (admin) to create, delete, and modify additional users and their passwords. In this way, these primary instance administrators can create the population of Docker administrators and users that fit their needs.