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z/OS Upgrade and Installation
Plan your upgrade to IBM z/OS 3.2
IBM® z/OS® Release 3.2, the latest release of the IBM flagship mainframe operating system, is designed for hybrid cloud and AI, includes support for IBM z17®, and aims to fuel innovation and growth, secure critical data, simplify IT, and enable automation for operational efficiency. Key features include support for hardware-accelerated AI-infused capabilities throughout the stack, operational AI insights, industry-leading cyber resiliency, support for hybrid cloud application architectures, enhancements to simplify systems management, and improved infrastructure optimization.
For more information, see: IBM United States Software Announcement AD25-0005.
A better z/OS upgrade experience with z/OSMF workflows
Using a z/OSMF workflow, you can perform a z/OS upgrade as an interactive, step-by-step process. The z/OS Upgrade Workflow uses the latest functions in z/OSMF to provide a smooth upgrade experience.
z/OS 3.2 Upgrade Workflow
The z/OS 3.2 Upgrade Workflow provides the steps for upgrading your system to z/OS 3.2. Two workflows are provided. Depending on whether you are upgrading from z/OS V2R5 or z/OS 3.1, select the workflow that applies to your upgrade path and open it in z/OSMF to begin the upgrade process. In the workflow, discovery functions run automatically to further streamline your upgrade experience. Only the upgrade actions that apply to your particular system are identified in the z/OSMF user interface (UI).
The z/OS 3.2 Upgrade Workflow can be run on z/OS releases V2R5, 3.1, and 3.2.
IBM provides the upgrade workflows as part of the z/OS product. Updates and fixes for the upgrade workflows are delivered through the standard z/OS service process. To obtain the latest PTFs for the z/OS 3.2 Upgrade Workflow, run the SMP/E REPORT MISSINGFIX command on your z/OS systems and specify a FIXCAT value of "IBM.Coexistence.z/OS.V3R2".
After the PTFs are installed, you can create the workflow on your z/OS system.
For more information, see z/OS 3.2 Upgrade Workflow.
IBM z17 Upgrade Workflow
The IBM z17® Upgrade Workflow contains the upgrade steps for the IBM z17® server. These steps include considerations, restrictions, and actions to take before and after you receive your server, and a checklist of items that are planned to be discontinued on future servers.
The IBM z17 Upgrade Workflow can be run on z/OS releases V2R5, 3.1, and 3.2.
The z/OS z17 Upgrade Workflow is provided and maintained with z/OS PTFs that are assigned the following SMP/E fix category (FIXCAT): "IBM.Device.Server.z17-9175.RequiredService"
After the PTFs are installed, you can create the workflow on your z/OS system.
For more information, see IBM z17 Upgrade Workflow.
Information about z/OS installation
You can find the following resources on this web page:
- z/OS 3.2 installation-related resources
- z/OS 3.1 installation-related resources
- z/OS V2R5 installation-related resources
- z/OS V2R4 installation-related resources
z/OS 3.2 installation planning resources
| Title | Filename | Order number | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| z/OS Introduction and Release Guide | e0za100_v3r2 | GA32-0887-70 | |
| z/OS Planning for Installation | e0zb100_v3r2 | GA32-0890-70 | |
| z/OS Program Directory | e0zpdz00 | GI11-9848-04 | |
| IBM z17 Upgrade Workflow | Workflow definition file is included with z/OS. | N/A | Website link |
| z/OS 3.2 Upgrade Workflow | Workflow definition file is included with z/OS. | N/A | Website link |
z/OS 3.1 installation planning resources
| Title | Filename | Order number | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| z/OS Introduction and Release Guide | e0za100_v3r1 | GA32-0887-60 | |
| z/OS Planning for Installation | e0zb100_v3r1 | GA32-0890-60 | |
| z/OS Program Directory | e0zpdz00 | GI11-9848-04 | |
| IBM z16 Upgrade Workflow | Workflow definition file is included with z/OS. | N/A | Website link |
| z/OS 3.1 Upgrade Workflow | Workflow definition file is included with z/OS. | N/A | Website link |
z/OS V2R5 installation planning resources
| Title | Filename | Order number | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| z/OS Introduction and Release Guide | e0za100_v2r5 | GA32-0887-50 | |
| z/OS Planning for Installation | e0z3b100_v2r5 | GA32-0890-50 | |
| ServerPac: Using the Installation Dialog (Dialog Level 30) | gima200_v2r5 | SA23-2278-50 | |
| z/OS Program Directory | e0zpdz50 | GI11-9848-04 | |
| IBM z16 Upgrade Workflow | Workflow definition file is included with z/OS. | N/A | Website link |
| z/OS V2R5 Upgrade Workflow | Workflow definition file is included with z/OS. | N/A | Website link |
z/OS V2R4 installation planning resources
| Title | Filename | Order number | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| z/OS Introduction and Release Guide | e0za100_v2r4 | GA32-0887-40 | |
| z/OS V2R4 Planning for Installation | e0z3b100_v2r4 | GA32-0890-40 | |
| ServerPac: Using the Installation Dialog (Dialog Level 29) | gima200_v2r4 | SA23-2278-40 | |
| IBM z15 Upgrade Workflow | Workflow definition file is included with z/OS. | N/A | Website link |
| z/OS V2R4 Upgrade Workflow | A workflow definition file is available in GitHub for each of the supported upgrade paths: V2R3 to V2R4 or V2R2 to V2R4. | N/A | GitHub link |
IBM Education Assistance
You can find more information about z/OS enhancements at the IBM Education Assistance site.
You can find more information about z/OS enhancements at the IBM Education Assistance site.
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Modified date:
18 November 2025
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