z/VM

Main article: VM (operating system)

z/VM

Developer	IBM
OS family	VM family
Working state	Current
Source model	Closed source
Latest release	7.4 / 20 September 2024
License	Proprietary
Official website	www.ibm.com/products/zvm

z/VM is the current version in IBM's VM family of virtual machine operating systems. First released in October 2000, z/VM remains in active use and development as of 2024. It is directly based on technology and concepts dating back to the 1960s, particularly IBM's CP/CMS on the IBM System/360-67 (see article History of CP/CMS for historical details). z/VM runs on IBM's IBM Z family of computers and can support large numbers (thousands) of Linux virtual machines. (See Linux on IBM Z.)

On 16 September 2022, IBM released z/VM Version 7.3 which requires z/Architecture, implemented in IBM's EC12, BC12 and later models.

See also

• OpenSolaris for System z
• PR/SM
• Time-sharing system evolution
• z/OS
• z/TPF
• z/VSE

References

CP/CMS family relationships
→ derivation     >> strong influence     > some influence/precedence
CTSS
	> IBM M44/44X
	>> CP-40/CMS → CP[-67]/CMS	→ VM/370 → VM/SE versions → VM/SP versions → VM/XA versions → VM/ESA → z/VM
		→ VP/CSS
	> TSS/360
	> TSO for MVT → for OS/VS2 → for MVS → ... → for z/OS
	>> MULTICS and most other time-sharing platforms

Citations

Primary CP/CMS sources

• R. J. Creasy, "The origin of the VM/370 time-sharing system", IBM Journal of Research & Development, Vol. 25, No. 5 (September 1981), pp. 483–90, PDF
  ― perspective on CP/CMS and VM history by the CP-40 project lead, also a CTSS author
• E.W. Pugh, L.R. Johnson, and John H. Palmer, IBM's 360 and early 370 systems, MIT Press, Cambridge MA and London, ISBN 0-262-16123-0
  ― extensive (819 pp.) treatment of IBM's offerings during this period; the limited coverage of CP/CMS in such a definitive work is telling
• Melinda Varian, VM and the VM community, past present, and future, SHARE 89 Sessions 9059–61, 1997;
  ― an outstanding source for CP/CMS and VM history
• Bitsavers, Index of /pdf/ibm/360/cp67

Additional CP/CMS sources

• R. J. Adair, R. U. Bayles, L. W. Comeau and R. J. Creasy, A Virtual Machine System for the 360/40, IBM Corporation, Cambridge Scientific Center Report No. 320‐2007 (May 1966)
  ― a seminal paper describing implementation of the virtual machine concept, with descriptions of the customized CSC S/360-40 and the CP-40 design
• International Business Machines Corporation, CP-67/CMS, Program 360D-05.2.005, IBM Program Information Department (June 1969)
  ― IBM's reference manual
• R. A. Meyer and L. H. Seawright, "A virtual machine time-sharing system," IBM Systems Journal, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 199–218 (September 1970)
  ― describes the CP-67/CMS system, outlining features and applications
• R. P. Parmelee, T. I. Peterson, C. C. Tillman, and D. J. Hatfield, "Virtual storage and virtual machine concepts," IBM Systems Journal, Vol. 11, No. 2 (June 1972)

Background CP/CMS sources

• F. J. Corbató, et al., The Compatible Time-Sharing System, A Programmer’s Guide, M.I.T. Press, 1963
• F. J. Corbató, M. Merwin-Daggett, and R. C. Daley, "An Experimental Time-sharing System," Proc. Spring Joint Computer Conference (AFIPS) 21, pp. 335–44 (1962) — description of CTSS
• F. J. Corbató and V. A. Vyssotsky, "Introduction and Overview of the MULTICS System", Proc. Fall Joint Computer Conference (AFIPS) 27, pp. 185–96 (1965)
• P. J. Denning, "Virtual Memory", Computing Surveys Vol. 2, pp. 153–89 (1970)
• J. B. Dennis, "Segmentation and the Design of Multi-Programmed Computer Systems," JACM Vol. 12, pp. 589–602 (1965)
  ― virtual memory requirements for Project MAC, destined for GE 645
• C. A. R. Hoare and R. H. Perrott, Eds., Operating Systems Techniques, Academic Press, Inc., New York (1972)
• T. Kilburn, D. B. G. Edwards, M. J. Lanigan, and F. H. Sumner, "One-Level Storage System", IRE Trans. Electron. Computers EC-11, pp. 223–35 (1962)
  ― Manchester/Ferranti Atlas
• R. A. Nelson, "Mapping Devices and the M44 Data Processing System," Research Report RC 1303, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center (1964)
  ― about the IBM M44/44X
• R. P. Parmelee, T. I. Peterson, C. C. Tillman, and D. J. Hatfield, "Virtual Storage and Virtual Machine Concepts", IBM Systems Journal, Vol. 11, pp. 99–130 (1972)

Additional on-line CP/CMS resources

• febcm.club.fr — Information Technology Timeline, 1964–74
• www.multicians.org — Tom Van Vleck's short essay The IBM 360/67 and CP/CMS
• www.cap-lore.com — Norman Hardy's Short history of IBM's virtual machines
• www.cap-lore.com — Norman Hardy's short description of the "Blaauw Box"

External links

• Official website
• IBM z/VM Evaluation Edition (free download)