Mainframe operating systems
A variety of sophisticated operating systems run on IBM mainframes – the secure, resilient and agile platform for integrating into your hybrid cloud strategy
Security for cloud video (2:22)
Isometric illustration representing systems software

Overview

Hybrid cloud requires OS flexibility

IBM® Z® mainframes run on z/OS®, Linux®, z/VM®, z/VSE® and z/TPF, with multiple operating systems often running on a single mainframe. Each OS’ unique characteristics bring the security, resiliency and agility of the mainframe platform to your hybrid cloud.

Benefits

Benefits Explore Z platform benefits Build for cloud

Unleash the power of your developers to rapidly launch new services for hybrid multicloud.

Protect data

Keep data protected and encrypted across your enterprise and hybrid multicloud environment.

Stay resilient

Gain availability and flexibility to meet workload demands regardless of your capacity needs.

Solutions

Mainframe operating systems z/OS for security and flexibility

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

 Linux for open source agility

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

 z/VSE for ease of management

Gain security and reliability for transactions and batch workloads. With connectors, z/VSE can be integrated into a hybrid IT environment and co-located in a Linux on Z environment.

 z/TPF for transaction processing

Process high transaction volumes — such as credit cards and airline reservations — in near-real-time with an OS designed for the quality service of the mainframe.
OS solutions z/VM hypervisor for virtualization at scale

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

 KVM for an open source hypervisor

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

Services

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 Z software lab services

Case studies

Mainframe OS case studies North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company

Learn how an insurer uses z/OS and Linux on Z to deliver secure and personalized services at scale.

Hear how a Brazilian bank securely handles 1.5 billion monthly transactions for 72 million customers.

 DATEV

Discover how a tax services/software provider stays compliant and keeps customer data more secure.

Resources

Resources The real costs of downtime

Read Forrester’s report on the impact of downtime and how to address it. (2.2 MB)

 Mainframe blogs

Stay informed about new capabilities and what experts are saying about Z.

 Mainframe OS training

Future-proof your skills with training for z/OS, Linux, z/VM and more.

 Cloud without compromise

See why IBM Z, integrated with IBM Storage, is a smart investment for a secure hybrid cloud.

 IBM Z Redbooks

Discover a world of technical content written by experts for a deeper understanding of IBM Z.
Next steps
Mainframe hardware

Explore systems designed to extend data privacy, security and resiliency to any hybrid cloud.

 Explore mainframe hardware solutions Mainframe software

Find the software you need for hybrid cloud, DevOps agility, application modernization, AIOps and more.

 Explore mainframe software solutions