IBM has unveiled the new version of its z/OS mainframe
operating system, z/OS V1.9 that features a number security
upgrades.
The new OS will go on sale 28 September and it will run on the
zSeries 800, 890, 900, 990 and z9 servers. It will be released
about the same time that z/OS 1.6 support from
IBM ends.
"End of service for z/OS V1.6 is 30 September, 2007. We
encourage users to move to z/OS V1.7 or z/OS V1.8. If you are on
z/OS V1.5 or z/OS V1.6, z/OS V1.8 is the last release you can
co-exist with and migrate to in a single step. 9 October, 2007 is
the last date for ordering z/OS V1.8 no-charge ServerPac and
CBPDO," said IBM.
IBM has added more
security capabilities to z/OS V1.9 to help protect data. z/OS
V1.9 has enhanced PKI Services and RACF to help improve the
creation, authentication, renewal, and management of digital
certificates for user and device authentication. In addition, the
z/OS Integrated Cryptographic Service Facility (ICSF) is planned to
be enhanced to include the PKCS#11 standard.
IDC research reported that the IBM mainframe posted its fifth
consecutive quarter of revenue growth and outgrew Windows-based
servers in 2006. IBM also said it would spend £50m over the next
five years to improve the mainframe's ease of use.