Last week IBM launched z/OS 3.2 to unlock the new features of its Telum II-based z/17 mainframe. Z/OS is the OS used for transaction processing – the key workload at the heart of Banking, Insurance and other major industry sectors. I make no apologies for including details in this post that are mostly relevant only to those who are already programming, running and/or managing IBM mainframes.
Data access and AI integration
The upgraded operating system includes support for Telum II’s integrated Data Processing Unit (DPU), Accelerator for AI and (available in Q4 2025) Spyre AI Accelerator.
It incorporates a new Application Programming Interface (API) [1] for direct access to NoSQL databases alongside the existing COBOL, C and Java based ones. It also added two features[2] to is Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem to allow z/OS data to be accessed from standard Public Cloud APIs.
Automation for less-experienced mainframe administrators
The upgraded operating system comes with a new user interface and storage management APIs including:
- AI-based workload predictions and visual simulations to its WorkLoad Manager (WLM),
- REST[3] APIs for validating PARMLIB[4] syntax and automating software updates and,
- Network packet batching intelligence (expected in fourth quarter 2025) for improved performance.
These features are designed to increase efficiency and simplify management tasks – especially for administrators less familiar with mainframes.
Adding IBM’s advanced security and resilience coverage
The new operating system also allows IBM Threat Detection for z/OS and RACF (Resource Access Control Facility)-based quarantine options to run on the z/17 as well as expanded encryption support for:
- Partitioned Data Set Extended (PDSE) 9 and large-format datasets,
- Quantum-safe capabilities,
- Improved crypto update mechanisms,
- Centralized certificate management, and
- Sysplex[5] Distributor enhancements for better availability and scalability of zCX[6] containers.
By and large these are facilities already available for the z/16.
More for hardware information and management
IBM has added workflow wizards to help with upgrades and feature adoption as the ability to generate reports covering – the new – integrated SMF (System Management Facility) metrics, RMF (Resource Management Facility) and for monitoring power usage.
The operating system also supports the z17’s Next-gen I/O Infrastructure[7] and its OSA[8] to improve throughput and density and throughput.
Within the operating system IBM has included the ability to access Tailored Fit Pricing options for z17, including subscription-based zIIP[9] capacity and consumption-based pricing models.
Overall it’s reassuring that IBM has updated its key operating system to integrate the z17 into its existing security and management schema, while extending it to cover its new features (including the Spyre AI accelerator which won’t be shipped until the fourth quarter) and making it more understandable for non-mainframe specialists. Integrating AI into the z17 offers most of its users far more than they need today. Time will tell the extent to which its major transaction processing customers make full use of it, but at least its modified its operating system to make it easier.
[1] Python EzNoSQL
[2] DFSMS-dbf Cloud Data Access and DFMS-Object Access Method
[3] REpresentational State Transfer
[4] PARaMeter LIBrary
[5] SYStems comPLEX
[6] z/OS Container Extensions
[7] FICON (FIber COnnection) Express, and FCP (Fiber Channel Protocol)
[8] Open Systems Adaptor
[9] z Integrated Information Processor – used for offloading database workloads