Mainframe operating systems

Secure, resilient, and agile operating systems for IBM mainframes in your hybrid cloud
Flat illustration of someone on a laptop connecting to an IBM Z server

Get power and precision

Mainframe operating systems are designed to manage the complex internal workings of enterprise computing, including memory, processors, devices, and file systems. IBM Z® operating systems build on this foundation, offering advanced security, scalability, and resilience to support mission-critical workloads in modern IT environments.

Explore operating system training
an flow chart illustrating how the hardware, operating systems, hypervisors and container platforms work together.
Operating system and software capability
Operating system and software capability

IBM Z mainframes support z/OS®, Linux®, and z/TPF, often running multiple operating systems on a single system. IBM z/VM® and KVM enable virtualization, running Linux, z/OS, z/TPF VMs, and Red Hat® OpenShift® on IBM Z and LinuxONE.

Each OS and hypervisor enhances security, resiliency, and agility, extending mainframe strengths to your hybrid cloud.

Operating systems
z/OS

Get an operating system ready to run mainframe apps and Linux containers with high availability, utilization, agility and security.

Explore z/OS
Linux

Enterprise Linux delivers security, efficiency and performance to your Linux and container workloads on premises and in hybrid clouds.

Explore Linux on IBM Z
z/TPF

Process high transaction volumes—such as credit cards and airline reservations—in near-real-time with an OS designed for the quality service.

Explore z/TPF
Hypervisors
z/VM

Run thousands of Linux on IBM Z virtual machines on one system–as well as z/OS and z/TPF—with reliability, performance, system management and security for your applications.

Explore z/VM
KVM

This strategic open source component for the IBM Z and LinuxONE platforms is offered through our Linux distribution partners to help simplify ordering.

Explore KVM
Close up of IBM Z logo
Infrastructure services for IBM Z Our technical consultants can help you design, build and implement the foundation of a smart enterprise on highly available z/OS, z/VM, KVM and Linux infrastructure solutions. Explore IBM Technology Expert Labs for IBM Z
Explore IBM Technology Expert Labs for IBM Z
Next steps

Schedule a no-cost 30-minute meeting with an IBM Z representative.

More ways to explore Documentation Support Lifecycle services and support Community