The IBM System z® Personal Development Tool (zPDT) is the technology behind several exciting new application development tools for the IBM System z platform. The zPDT can enable a virtual System z architecture environment that allows select mainframe operating systems, middleware and software to run unaltered on x86 processor-compatible platforms (such as Lenovo W Series or IBM System x™ 3500 or 3650 server, or systems otherwise approved by IBM).
IBM is pleased to announce zPDT Version 1.6 available April 30, 2015.
How would you use zPDT technology?
As part of the IBM System z Developer Discount program, qualified ISVs can use zPDT for:
- A low-cost platform for System z application development - zPDT makes a great addition to existing System z Developer Discount offers and remote development programs.
- Education and demonstration of System z products zPDT technology on a laptop gives you the capability to showcase the capabilities of your product anywhere and anytime.
- Support global development and test without the cost of a mainframe. Support talented programmers with their own zPDT-based system.
Are you new to the System z platform?
- zPDT is for you! If you are new to the System z ecosystem, you might now be able to afford a virtual System z environment of your own; using zPDT for development could potentially help open up your applications to new markets and opportunities.
Specifications
The zPDT technology consists of software that is authenticated and enabled by a USB hardware key.The zPDT technology comes in three system sizes: one, two, or three virtual engines. You can define these virtual engines as System z general purpose processors, System z Integrated Information Processors (zIIPs), System z Application Assist Processors (zAAPs), Coupling Facility and System z Integrated Facility for Linux® (IFL). You can enable the virtual engines as separate uni-processors or as a multiprocessor configuration.
On top of a zPDT environment, you can run IBM z/OS®, IBM z/VM®, IBM z/VSE™ and Linux for System z operating systems, as well as related middleware and software products and tools. These IBM operating systems and software products are not bundled with zPDT and are available separately.
Note: zPDT technology is designed to create a virtual System z environment suitable for application development, and does not support all the technologies of a traditional System z server environment.
ISV Eligibility, System z Developer Discount Program
The zPDT technology is available to PartnerWorld Independent Software Vendor (ISV) members who are approved for the IBM System z Developer Discount Program and who are, and remain, IBM PartnerWorld members in good standing. The zPDT can only be used for development, test, and demonstration, and cannot be used for production workloads of any kind.
Non-ISV offer, IBM Rational Development and Test Environment for System z
In addition, the zPDT technology is also available to commercial customers, IBM Business Partners, and Systems Integrators as part of the Rational Development and Test Environment for System z. This offer is limited to single image, z/OS development, Rational test sandbox environments only. Additional terms and conditions apply, see your IBM Rational software representative for more detail.
