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IBM z/VM

IBM z/VM is an operating system and hypervisor for running guest servers on IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE systems.

Place
#1 of 10
Score
5.4
IBM z/VM's website

What IBM z/VM is

IBM z/VM is an operating system and hypervisor for running guest servers on IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE systems. It supports Linux, z/OS, and z/TPF virtual machines, and IBM says one server can host hundreds to thousands of guest servers. Supported workloads include Linux, hybrid cloud, and containers, with nested virtualization available. z/VM 7.5 lists Host Secure Boot validation for signed IPL code on ECKD and SCSI devices, using keys in the HMC certificate store, plus Memory Overcommitment Control. Single System Image coordinates resources across z/VM systems to balance workloads and reduce planned outages. Performance Data Pump extracts real-time performance data for visualization and analysis in enterprise observability products. IBM lists Red Hat OpenShift as a supported workload and offers management add-ons for z/VM and Linux. Supported hardware varies by release; z/VM 7.5 lists IBM z16, z17, and specified LinuxONE models. Linux must be obtained separately, and optional features may require separate orders and licenses.

Good

  • Hosts Linux, z/OS, and z/TPF guests
  • Hundreds to thousands of guest servers
  • Nested virtualization support
  • Single System Image management
  • Real-time performance data export

Watch out

  • Runs only on supported IBM hardware
  • Linux is obtained separately
  • Optional features require separate licenses

Who it suits

IBM z/VM suits organizations running guest servers and mixed workloads on IBM Z or LinuxONE hardware. It is aimed at environments needing virtualization, large guest-server consolidation, and IBM enterprise management features.

Verdict

IBM z/VM provides virtualization and systems-management capabilities for IBM Z and LinuxONE deployments. Hardware eligibility, separate Linux sourcing, and optional-license requirements should be checked before adoption.

Plans and prices

From IBM z/VM's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
IBM z/VMPriced on requestRuns on supported IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE servers · optional features require separate orders and licenses

The facts

Each one read from IBM z/VM's own pages, with the date it was checked.

The company

Company
IBM's corporate address is in Armonk, New York, and IBM's history page says its predecessor C-T-R was incorporated in 1911.checked 8 Oct 2026
Founded
1911checked 4 Oct 2026
Headquarters
Armonk, New York, United Stateschecked 4 Oct 2026

Money

Free plan
Nochecked 20 Sep 2026

Where it runs

Host platforms
IBM Z and LinuxONEchecked 20 Sep 2026
Linux provisioning
Linux is not provided with z/VM and must be obtained from a Linux distribution partner to run as a guest.checked 8 Oct 2026
Platform limits
Each z/VM release runs only on specified IBM Z and LinuxONE servers; z/VM 7.5 lists IBM z16, z17, and LinuxONE Emperor 4, Rockhopper 4, Emperor 5, and Rockhopper 5 models.checked 8 Oct 2026

What it does

Host Secure Boot
z/VM 7.5 can validate signed host IPL code for ECKD and SCSI devices using security keys in the HMC certificate store.checked 8 Oct 2026
Integrations
IBM lists Red Hat OpenShift as a supported workload and offers add-ons for managing z/VM and Linux systems.checked 8 Oct 2026
Memory management
IBM lists Memory Overcommitment Control among z/VM 7.5 features.checked 8 Oct 2026
Nested virtualization
Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
Optional licenses
DirMaint, Performance Toolkit, RACF, and RSCS are included in the z/VM 7.4 system image but are installed disabled and require orders to establish licenses before enabling.checked 8 Oct 2026
Performance monitoring
Performance Data Pump extracts real-time z/VM performance data for visualization and analysis in enterprise observability products.checked 8 Oct 2026
Pricing model
IBM describes optional sub-capacity pricing for eligible z/VM programs, which requires IBM License Metric Tool and the z/VM Hypervisor Proxy for ILMT.checked 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
IBM z/VM is an operating system and hypervisor designed to run guest servers including Linux, z/OS, and z/TPF virtual machines on IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE.checked 8 Oct 2026
Scale
IBM says z/VM can run hundreds to thousands of guest servers on a single IBM Z or IBM LinuxONE server.checked 8 Oct 2026
Security configuration
The z/VM 7.5 default RACF configuration is set to meet Common Criteria requirements, and some environments may require new CP commands to change security settings.checked 8 Oct 2026
Service delivery
IBM delivers new z/VM functions through continuous delivery during a release lifecycle.checked 8 Oct 2026
Systems management
The Single System Image feature coordinates resources across z/VM systems to reduce planned outages and balance workloads.checked 8 Oct 2026
Workloads
The product supports Linux, hybrid cloud, and containerized workloads.checked 8 Oct 2026

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