Overview of IBM Z Distribution for Zowe

Zowe™ technology from the Open Mainframe Project™ of the Linux® Foundation delivers new ways to integrate z/OS®-based services into the enterprise, including hybrid cloud environments, and improved ways to integrate z/OS-based products. It is open source software that is licensed under the Eclipse Public License 2.0. It helps to make the IBM® z/OS platform easier to learn and use for the next-generation IT staff.

IBM Z® Distribution for Zowe V1.0 provides an IBM delivery of the Zowe open source software to extend and enhance z/OS products and services. It includes the primary technologies of the Zowe open source project, which are the basis for many integration scenarios for z/OS services and products.

  • Zowe API Mediation Layer

  • Zowe Application Framework

  • Zowe Command Line Interface (CLI)

  • Zowe Explorer (Visual Studio Code extension)

In addition to the Zowe technologies, IBM Z Distribution for Zowe includes an entitlement to IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS V12.0, which is a runtime prerequisite for Zowe Application Framework.

IBM Z Distribution for Zowe is zero-cost software. IBM Software Subscription and Support (S&S) is available.

  • When IBM Z Distribution for Zowe is used by an IBM product as a prerequisite and IBM Subscription and Support (S&S) has been purchased for the IBM product, S&S for IBM Z Distribution for Zowe is included.

  • When IBM Z Distribution for Zowe is used by a client or ISV independent of an IBM product, Zowe can be supported by IBM Support, worldwide, for a fee.

The z/OS server-side component of IBM Z Distribution for Zowe and its cumulative maintenance is distributed in SMP/E format (Program Number 5698-ZWE, FMID AZWE001). Other components, including Zowe CLI and Zowe Explorer, can be downloaded on IBM Mainframe DEV.

For more information about IBM Z Distribution for Zowe, read the announcement letter.

For more information about Zowe open source project and its technologies, see the Zowe community website.

For more information about Node.js SDK, see the IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS documentation.