IBM z/VM

Name: IBM z/VM
Author: IBM z/VM

Paid Self-hosted

What IBM z/VM is

IBM z/VM is a paid, self-hosted operating system and hypervisor for running guest servers on IBM Z and LinuxONE. It supports Linux, z/OS, and z/TPF virtual machines, as well as Linux, hybrid cloud, and containerized workloads; nested virtualization is also supported. IBM says a single server can run hundreds to thousands of guest servers. Features include Memory Overcommitment Control and Single System Image, which 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. For z/VM 7.5, signed host IPL code for ECKD and SCSI devices can be checked against security keys in the HMC certificate store. IBM lists Red Hat OpenShift as a supported workload and offers add-ons for managing z/VM and Linux systems. Hardware support depends on the release; z/VM 7.5 lists IBM z16 and z17, plus LinuxONE Emperor 4, Rockhopper 4, Emperor 5, and Rockhopper 5. Linux must be obtained separately from a distribution partner. Pricing is paid, but no price is listed; optional features may require separate orders and licenses.

Who it suits

It suits organizations running supported IBM Z or LinuxONE hardware that need to host multiple guest servers or Linux, hybrid cloud, and container workloads. Buyers should account for release-specific hardware support and separately obtaining Linux.

What it does well

Supports Linux, z/OS, and z/TPF guest virtual machines.
IBM cites capacity from hundreds to thousands of guests.
Includes nested virtualization and Memory Overcommitment Control.
Performance Data Pump extracts real-time performance data.

What to know first

Paid product; no price is listed.
Runs only on supported IBM Z and LinuxONE servers.
Linux must be obtained separately.
Some optional features require separate orders and licenses.

Limits

There is no free plan, and each release runs only on specified IBM Z and LinuxONE servers. Linux is not included, and optional features can require separate orders and licenses.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
IBM z/VM	Runs on supported IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE servers · optional features require separate orders and licenses	On request

As ibm.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit IBM’s z/VM product website.
Confirm that your IBM Z or LinuxONE server is supported for the release you plan to run.
Arrange the paid z/VM offering; no price is listed.
Obtain Linux separately from a Linux distribution partner if you plan to run Linux guests.
Order licenses for optional features before enabling them.

Verdict

IBM z/VM is aimed at organizations consolidating virtualized workloads on IBM Z or LinuxONE systems. Confirm supported hardware for the intended release and account for separately sourced Linux and optional licenses.

Questions

What does IBM z/VM do?

It is an operating system and hypervisor for running guest servers, including Linux, z/OS, and z/TPF virtual machines, on IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE.

How much does IBM z/VM cost?

The product is paid, but no price is listed.

Is there a free plan?

No. IBM z/VM is listed as a paid product with no free plan.

What hardware does it run on?

It is self-hosted on supported IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE servers. Supported models vary by release; z/VM 7.5 lists IBM z16 and z17, plus specified LinuxONE models.

Is Linux included?

No. Linux must be obtained from a Linux distribution partner to run as a guest.

Do optional features require separate licensing?

Some optional features require separate orders to establish licenses before they can be enabled.

Facts from IBM z/VM's own pages

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. · ibm.com, 8 Oct 2026
Founded: 1911 · ibm.com, 4 Oct 2026
Free plan: No · ibm.com, 20 Sept 2026
Headquarters: Armonk, New York, United States · ibm.com, 4 Oct 2026
Host platforms: IBM Z and LinuxONE · ibm.com, 20 Sept 2026
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. · ibm.com, 8 Oct 2026
Integrations: IBM lists Red Hat OpenShift as a supported workload and offers add-ons for managing z/VM and Linux systems. · ibm.com, 8 Oct 2026
Linux provisioning: Linux is not provided with z/VM and must be obtained from a Linux distribution partner to run as a guest. · ibm.com, 8 Oct 2026
Memory management: IBM lists Memory Overcommitment Control among z/VM 7.5 features. · ibm.com, 8 Oct 2026
Nested virtualization: Yes · ibm.com, 20 Sept 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. · ibm.com, 8 Oct 2026
Performance monitoring: Performance Data Pump extracts real-time z/VM performance data for visualization and analysis in enterprise observability products. · ibm.com, 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. · ibm.com, 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. · ibm.com, 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. · ibm.com, 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. · ibm.com, 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. · ibm.com, 8 Oct 2026
Service delivery: IBM delivers new z/VM functions through continuous delivery during a release lifecycle. · ibm.com, 8 Oct 2026
Systems management: The Single System Image feature coordinates resources across z/VM systems to reduce planned outages and balance workloads. · ibm.com, 8 Oct 2026
Workloads: The product supports Linux, hybrid cloud, and containerized workloads. · ibm.com, 8 Oct 2026