Z/OS

z/OS is a 64-bit server operating system from IBM. It is the successor to the IBM mainframe operating system OS/390, combining MVS and UNIX System Services (a POSIX-compliant mainframe implementation of UNIX formerly known as MVS Open Edition).

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While assiduously retaining many features, functions, and interfaces harking back to the 1970s and even 1960s, z/OS also offers many of the same attributes and elements of so-called open systems. So while CICS, IMS, RACF, SNA, and the like are still available and in daily use, they are less the focal point for new applications than in years past. z/OS now also runs Java, supports UNIX (Single UNIX Specification) APIs and applications, and easily communicates with TCP/IP and the Web. A complementary IBM product, z/VM, improves Linux support on the same system. This combination of cutting edge functionality within z/OS and concurrent Linux support has thoroughly modernized the mainframe.

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z/OS is also capable of running in 31-bit (ESA/390) mode on pre-z/Architecture mainframes. However, starting with z/OS V1R6, introduced on September 24, 2004, z/OS requires a 64-bit zSeries or System z9 server. (IBM will support z/OS V1R5 until at least March 31, 2007.)

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z/OS is IBM's flagship operating system, well-regarded for its ability to support mission-critical, continuous, high volume business and government operations with the utmost in security and reliability.

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Operating system: In computing, an operating system (OS) is the system software responsible for the direct control and management of hardware and basic system operations. Additionally, it provides a foundation upon which to run application software such as word processing programs and web browsers....

IBM: :Big Blue redirects here. For the movie, see The Big Blue....

IBM mainframe: An IBM mainframe is a large, high-performance computer made by International Business Machines (IBM). Mainframe computers traditionally are expensive, physically large, and have high transaction processing and I/O performance, but are not as expensive and high-performance as supercomputers....

Z/OS related Images and Photos (experimental)

S.O.S. Coast Guard	S.O.S. Iceberg 1933	S.O.S. Titanic 1979	Marc Broussard: S.O.S.: Save Our Soul CD
Marc Broussard: S.O.S.: Save Our Soul CD	Freize o-s Chandigarh College of Architecture	Nubia: Western Colossus of Spéos of Hwr Abu Simbel