Planning to Run a VM Guest under z/VM

Running VM as a second level (guest) system of z/VM® offers opportunities for more flexible system management. In this environment you can:
  • Test new application programs
  • Test new releases of VM
  • Test new maintenance procedures and modifications
  • Train operators and system programmers.

These activities can be independent of any other tasks because they are being performed in a virtual machine.

One of the biggest advantages of running a second level VM system is the ability to generate a new system without disturbing normal production activity. A system programmer can log on his own virtual machines and go through the generation steps at his own pace while the rest of the installation uses the real z/VM system undisturbed. You can use XEDIT to create and update the files that are used during system generation. When the system is tested, it can be placed online, replacing the previous version with minimal disruption to the production activity.

Notes:
  1. Although you can use a second level z/VM system to test new releases, service procedures, and modifications, do not use it to create a back-level system.
  2. You cannot run VM as a guest operating system in an XC virtual machine.
  3. To run VM under z/VM, the real processor must be an IBM® Z server.