Requirements for zCX

Hardware requirements

z/OS Container Extensions requires an IBM z14 or higher server.

Virtualization layer

The virtualization layer required for zCX is shipped in the z/OS BCP base HBB77C0 as new parts and has the new Comp ID 5752-SCCON. The virtualization layer has the 3-character prefix GLZ.

Software requirements

zCX is an element of z/OS (FMID HZDC7C0) that includes the Linux kernel and Docker Engine (5752-SCCDE) as well as the z/OSMF workflow (5752-SCCWF). The software has the 3-character prefix AZD. All systems in the sysplex on which you deploy zCX must be at the z/OS V2R4 level or higher.

IBM Container Hosting Foundation for z/OS (5655-HZ1) includes required service and support for the underlying Linux kernel and zCX appliance, as well as unlimited zCX usage in the central processor complex (CPC) across all LPARs. If you have an IBM z14 or IBM z15 processor, as an alternative to IBM Container Hosting Foundation for z/OS, you can order Container Hosting Foundation, hardware feature code 0104, from the eConfig Fulfillment System.

If you have a z14 or higher processor, you can enable the zCX trial and experiment with zCX for 90 days. After that, IBM Container Hosting Foundation for z/OS is the recommended enablement solution for zCX Docker. For more information, see zCX Trial.