IBM servers that are supported by z/VM

IBM Z® servers that are supported by current releases of z/VM are listed. Considerations and requirements for servers are included.

For guest considerations, see IBM operating systems supported as guests of z/VM.

The following general notes apply to the support matrix:
  • End of service (EoS) for z/VM® V5.4, V6.2, V6.3, and V6.4
    • z/VM V6.2 achieved EoS on June 30, 2017.
    • z/VM V5.4 and V6.3 achieved EoS on December 31, 2017.
    • z/VM 6.4 achieved EoS on March 31, 2021.
    Those releases have been removed from the matrix.
    Note: Start of changez/VM 7.1 is withdrawn from marketing as of March 7, 2022 and EoS is announced for March 31, 2023.End of change
  • Start of changeThe following IBM Z servers are supported by z/VM. Servers of the same processor generation are a family.
    Start of change
    Table 1. z/VM support for IBM Z servers
    IBM Z Family Name Server Models Machine Type
    IBM z16® family IBM z16® Model A01 3931
    IBM® z15™ family
    • IBM z15 Model T01
    • IBM LinuxONE III Model LT1
    		 8561
    • IBM z15 Model T02
    • IBM LinuxONE III Model LT2
    • IBM LinuxONE III Express®
    		 8562
    IBM z14® family
    • IBM z14 Models M01, M02, M03, M04, M05
    • IBM LinuxONE Emperor II Models LM1, LM2, LM3, LM4, LM5
    		 3906
    • IBM z14 Model ZR1
    • IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper II Model LR1
    		 3907
    IBM z13® family
    • IBM z13 Models N30, N63, N96, NC9, NE1
    • IBM LinuxONE Emperor Models L30, L63, L96, LC9, LE1
    		 2964
    • IBM z13s® Models N10, N20
    • IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper Models L10, L20
    		 2965
    IBM zEnterprise® EC12 / BC12 family IBM zEnterprise EC12 Models H20, H43, H66, H89, HA1 2827
    IBM zEnterprise BC12 Models H06, H1 2828
    End of change
    End of change
  • Start of changez/VM 7.1 can be selected as the hypervisor for the IBM LinuxONE systems that are listed in Table 1.

    In general, z/VM provides the same support for an IBM LinuxONE server as the IBM Z server Start of changeof the same machine typeEnd of change. Additional z/VM and other APARs might be required, as identified in the tables in Server support: IBM zEnterprise servers.

    End of change
  • The Processor Resource/Systems Manager (PR/SM) hardware feature supports the creation of multiple logical partitions (LPARs) on a single central processor complex (CPC), dividing server resources across the LPARs. Each LPAR supports an independent operating system. z/VM supports the following LPAR types (modes):
    • General. (Supported on the IBM z14 family and later servers, excluding LinuxONE servers)
    • Start of changeESA/390. (Supported on the IBM z13 family and earlier servers, excluding LinuxONE servers)End of change
    • LINUX only
    • z/VM
  • z/VM supports guest use of IBM mainframe specialty processors:
    • IBM Integrated Facility for Linux (IFL)
    • IBM Internal Coupling Facility (ICF)
    • IBM zEnterprise Application Assist Processor (zAAP)
    • IBM z Integrated Information Processor (zIIP)
    Note: zAAPs are not supported on the IBM z13® family and later servers. z/VM does not allow guests to define the zAAP CPU type.
  • A LINUX only LPAR, whether the allocated processors are IFL processors or general purpose processors, will not support any of the IBM traditional operating systems (such as z/OS®, z/TPF, or z/VSE®). Only Linux on IBM Z, OpenSolaris, or z/VM can run in a LINUX only LPAR.
  • An IFL processor can be defined only in a LINUX only or z/VM LPAR.
  • z/VM can run on IFL processors only if, on the IFL processors, z/VM is used exclusively to run (1) Linux or OpenSolaris workloads and, (2) if required, z/VM applications in support of those Linux® or OpenSolaris workloads.
  • z/VM can exploit the ESCON Multiple Image Facility (EMIF) when running in an LPAR.
  • To use the integrated 3270 console task on the Hardware Management Console as a system operator console for z/VM, the server must be running at the current Licensed Internal Code (LIC) level with the Hardware Management Console at V1.8.0 or later.
  • Before installing z/VM, refer to the Preventive Service Planning (PSP) bucket for your IBM Z server for the minimum MCL level and any required updates.
    Table 2. Servers and their corresponding PSP buckets
    Server PSP bucket
    Start of changeIBM z16® Model A01End of change Upgrade 3931DEVICE, Subset 3931/ZVM
    IBM z15 Model T01 and IBM LinuxONE III Model LT1 Upgrade 8561DEVICE, Subset 8561/ZVM
    IBM z15 Model T02 and IBM LinuxONE III Model LT2 Upgrade 8562DEVICE, Subset 8562/ZVM
    IBM z14 Start of changeModels M0xEnd of change and IBM LinuxONE Emperor II Upgrade 3906DEVICE, Subset 3906/ZVM
    IBM z14 Model ZR1 and IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper II Upgrade 3907DEVICE, Subset 3907/ZVM
    IBM z13 and IBM LinuxONE Emperor Upgrade 2964DEVICE, Subset 2964/ZVM
    IBM z13s® and IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper Upgrade 2965DEVICE, Subset 2965/ZVM
    IBM zEnterprise EC12 Upgrade 2827DEVICE, Subset 2827/ZVM
    IBM zEnterprise BC12 (and IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper prior to z13s GA) Upgrade 2828DEVICE, Subset 2828/ZVM
    IBM zEnterprise 196 Upgrade 2817DEVICE, Subset 2817/ZVM
    IBM zEnterprise 114 Upgrade 2818DEVICE, Subset 2818/ZVM

    The PSP buckets can be found by logging on to IBM Resource Link (sign in). A Resource Link® user ID and password are required.

  • The inclusion of a server in this matrix does not imply that the server is available in all countries.
  • For information about IBM servers and z/VM releases that are not listed in this matrix, see earlier or later editions of this document.
Start of change

Server support: IBM z16® family

The following table identifies z/VM 7.1 support for the IBM z16® family.

Table 3. Server support: IBM z16® family
Server z/VM Support requirements
IBM z16® Model A01
[Machine type 3931]		 7.1 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
General support notes for IBM z16 family (also see support requirements):
  • Supported LPAR modes: General, LINUX only, and z/VM. ESA/390 mode is not supported.
  • Up to 60 LPARs.
  • Up to 2 TB per z/VM 7.1 image, and up to 1 TB of virtual memory for a single guest. The total virtual memory in use by all guests can exceed the amount of real memory.
  • Up to 80 logical processors per z/VM 7.1 image. Up to 64 virtual processors per virtual machine in each z/VM image.
  • z/Architecture® guest use of the Crypto Express8S, Crypto Express7S, and Crypto Express6S.
Support requirements for IBM z16 family:

If an APAR is required for a z/VM release to support a function on a particular server, that APAR is also required for the same z/VM release to support the same function on a newer server.

  1. Support for z/VM 7.1 to exploit function on the IBM z16® family requires the following APAR:
    • APAR VM66532. This support enables guests to exploit the following functions:
      • Imbedded Artificial Intelligence Acceleration.
      • Compliance-ready Central Processor Assist for Cryptographic Functions (CPACF) counters support.
      • Breaking-event-address register (BEAR) enhancement facility.
      • Vector Packed Decimal Enhancements 2.
      • Reset DAT Protection Facility.
      • Support for the Consolidated Boot Loader provides guest IPL from a SCSI LUN. Guest IPL from SCSI, with or without the DUMP option, now requires a minimum guest virtual memory size of 768 MB.
      • RoCE Express3 adapter.
      • The Crypto Express8S (CEX8S) adapter.

      This APAR also includes support for CPU and core topology location information, which is included in z/VM monitor data.

  2. EREP support requires APAR VM65952.
  3. Start of changeICKDSF requires APAR PI46151 for IPL support on the IBM z14 family and later servers.End of change
  4. CMS IOCP support requires APAR VM66549. After the IOCP APAR is applied on any IBM Z family members, including LinuxONE models, z/CMS support is required.
  5. HCD support for IBM z16® Model A01 requires APAR VM66445.
    Note: The IBM z16® family requires z/CMS and z/XC support to be configured for the one guest that is defined to exploit z/VM HCD support.
  6. HCM support for IBM z16® Model A01 requires the PTF for APAR VM66371.
  7. HLASM support requires APAR PH39324.
  8. Support for OSA-Express7S within TCP/IP requires APAR PI99085.
  9. If you are upgrading to the IBM z16® family from the IBM z13 family or earlier server, you must update the Stand-Alone Program Loader (SAPL), or you will not be able to IPL z/VM. For more information, see the red alert issued December 13, 2017.

  10. Installing z/VM on the IBM z16® family:

    z/VM can be installed directly on the IBM z16® family. The z/VM 7.1 PTFs for APAR VM66532 must be applied immediately after installing z/VM.

    Installation of z/VM from an IBM z16® family USB flash drive is supported. Information about receiving z/VM product deliverables electronically can be found at Installation Instructions for Electronically Delivered z/VM System Deliverable and Licensed Products.

  11. Guest IPL from SCSI with the DUMP option requires a minimum virtual memory size of 768MB.
End of change

Server support: IBM z15 family

The following table identifies z/VM 7.1 support for the IBM z15 family.

Table 4. Server support: IBM z15 family
Server z/VM Support requirements
IBM z15 T01 and IBM LinuxONE III Model LT1
[Machine type 8561]		 7.1 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
IBM z15 T02 and IBM LinuxONE III Model LT2
[Machine type 8562]		 7.1 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
General support notes for IBM z15 family (also see support requirements):
  • Supported LPAR modes: General, LINUX only, and z/VM. ESA/390 mode is not supported.
  • Up to 60 LPARs.
  • Up to 2 TB per z/VM 7.1 image, and up to 1 TB of virtual memory for a single guest. The total virtual memory in use by all guests can exceed the amount of real memory.
  • Up to 80 logical processors per z/VM 7.1 image. Up to 64 virtual processors per virtual machine in each z/VM image.
  • z/Architecture guest use of the Crypto Express7S, Crypto Express6S, and Crypto Express5S.
Support requirements for IBM z15 family:

If an APAR is required for a z/VM release to support a function on a particular server, that APAR is also required for the same z/VM release to support the same function on a newer server.

  1. Support for z/VM 7.1 guests to exploit function supported by z/VM on the IBM z15 family requires the following APARS:
    • APARs VM66248, VM66321, VM66325, and VM66332. This support includes:
      • Miscellaneous-Instruction-Extensions Facility 3
      • Vector Enhancements Facility 2
      • Vector Packed Decimal Enhancement Facility
      • Synchronous Execution Support for On-chip Data Compression, Deflate-Conversion
      • Enhanced Sort Acceleration and Optimization
      • Message-Security-Assist Extension 9

      This APAR also includes support for the Crypto Express7S adapter.

  2. Support for System Recovery Boost requires APAR VM66283. Not applicable to LinuxONE III.
  3. EREP support requires APAR VM65952.
  4. ICKDSF requires APAR PI46151 for IPL support on the IBM z15 family.
  5. CMS IOCP support requires APAR VM66240.
  6. HCD support requires the following APARs:
    • APAR VM66239 for support on Model T01
    • APAR VM66318 for support on Model LT1
    • APAR VM66307 for support on Model T02
    • APAR VM66347 for support on Model LT2
  7. HCM support requires the following APARs:
    • APAR VM65266
    • APAR VM65598
  8. HLASM support requires APAR PH00902.
  9. Support for OSA-Express7S within TCP/IP requires APAR PI99085.
  10. If you are upgrading to the IBM z15 family from an IBM z13 family or earlier server, you must update the Stand-Alone Program Loader (SAPL) or you will not be able to IPL z/VM. For more information, see the red alert issued December 13, 2017.
  11. Installing the z/VM on IBM z15 family:

    z/VM can be installed directly on the IBM z15 family. The z/VM 7.1 PTFs for APARs VM66248, VM66321, VM66325, and VM66332 must be applied immediately after installing z/VM.

    Installation of z/VM from an IBM z15 family USB flash drive is supported. Information about receiving z/VM product deliverables electronically can be found at Installation Instructions for Electronically Delivered z/VM System Deliverable and Licensed Products.

  12. Guest IPL from SCSI with the DUMP option requires a minimum virtual memory size of 512 MB.

Server support: IBM z14 family

The following table identifies z/VM 7.1 support for the IBM z14 family.

Table 5. Server support: IBM z14 family
Server z/VM Support requirements
IBM z14 Start of changeModels M0xEnd of change and IBM LinuxONE Emperor II
[Machine Type 3906]		 7.1 1, 2, 3
IBM z14 Model ZR1 and IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper II
[Machine Type 3907]		 7.1 1, 2, 3
General support notes for IBM z14 family(also see support requirements):
  • Supported LPAR modes: General, LINUX only, and z/VM. ESA/390 mode is not supported.
  • Up to 60 LPARs.
  • Up to 2 TB per z/VM 7.1 image, and up to 1 TB of virtual memory for a single guest. The total virtual memory in use by all guests can exceed the amount of real memory.
  • Up to 80 logical processors per z/VM 7.1 image. Up to 64 virtual processors per virtual machine in each z/VM image.
  • z/Architecture guest use of the Crypto Express6S and Crypto Express5S.
  • When performing a concurrent driver upgrade from driver D32 to driver D36, to avoid a loss of network connectivity from within z/VM LPARs, ensure that the target driver D36 bundle is 19a or higher. Prior to performing the driver upgrade, ensure that the PTF for APAR PI99085 for z/VM 7.1 has been applied and z/VM LPARs re-IPLed.
Support requirements for IBM z14 family:

If an APAR is required for a z/VM release to support a function on a particular server, that APAR is also required for the same z/VM release to support the same function on a newer server.

  1. EREP support requires APAR VM65952.
  2. ICKDSF requires APAR PI46151 for IPL support on the IBM z14 family, and APAR PI85943 for EAV minidisk support.
  3. If you are upgrading to the IBM z14 family, you must update the Stand-Alone Program Loader (SAPL), or you will not be able to IPL z/VM. For more information, see the red alert issued December 13, 2017.

Server support: IBM z13 family

The following table identifies z/VM 7.1 support for the IBM z13 family.

Table 6. Server support: IBM z13 family
Server z/VM Support requirements
IBM z13 and IBM LinuxONE Emperor
[Machine Type 2964]		 7.1 1
IBM z13s and IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper
[Machine Type 2965]		 7.1 2
General support notes for IBM z13 (also see support requirements):
  • Supported LPAR modes: ESA/390, LINUX only, z/VM.
  • Up to 60 LPARs.
  • Up to 2 TB per z/VM 7.1, and up to 1 TB of virtual memory for a single guest. The total virtual memory in use by all guests can exceed the amount of real memory.
  • Up to 64 logical processors per z/VM image and up to 64 virtual processors per virtual machine in each z/VM image.
  • z/Architecture guest use of the Crypto Express5S.
Support requirements for IBM z13 family:

If an APAR is required for a z/VM release to support a function on a particular server, that APAR is also required for the same z/VM release to support the same function on a newer server.

  1. EREP support requires APAR VM65495 for IBM z13 and LinuxONE Emperor.
  2. EREP support requires APAR VM65704 for IBM z13s and LinuxONE Rockhopper.

Server support: IBM zEnterprise servers

The following table identifies z/VM 7.1 support for IBM zEnterprise servers.

Table 7. Server support: IBM zEnterprise servers
Server z/VM Support requirements
IBM zEnterprise EC12
[Machine Type 2827] 		7.1 1, 2
IBM zEnterprise BC12 (and IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper prior to z13s GA)
[Machine Type 2828]		 7.1 1, 2
General support notes for IBM zEnterprise servers (also see support requirements):
  • Supported LPAR modes: ESA/390, LINUX only, z/VM.
  • Up to 60 LPARs.
  • Up to 1 TB of real storage (memory) per LPAR (z/VM image) and up to 1 TB of virtual memory for a single guest. The total virtual memory in use by all guests can exceed the amount of real memory.
  • Up to 32 logical processors per z/VM image and up to 64 virtual processors per virtual machine in each z/VM image.
  • Guest use of Crypto Express3.
  • z/Architecture guest use of the Crypto Express4S (zEC12 and zBC12 only).
Support requirements for IBM zEnterprise servers:

If an APAR is required for a z/VM release to support a function on a particular server, that APAR is also required for the same z/VM release to support the same function on a newer server.

  1. EREP support requires VM65130 for zEC12
  2. EREP support requires VM65130 and VM65279 for zEC12 (driver D15F) and for zBC12.