z/OS installation overview

IBM MQ functions are provided as a number of different products, which are installed together to provide the capability required.

IBM MQ for z/OS®

Provides IBM MQ capability, connectivity on and off the z/OS platform, and excellent integration with z/OS software, such as CICS®, IMS, WebSphere Application Server, and Db2®. Licensed under a Monthly License Charge (MLC) model.

IBM MQ for z/OS Value Unit Edition (VUE)

Same functionality as IBM MQ for z/OS, but licensed under a One Time Charge (OTC) model. Can coexist and interact with IBM MQ MLC offerings in other LPARs.

From an installation perspective, the same FMIDs as for IBM MQ for z/OS are installed, then, an additional enablement feature is added, which changes product usage recording for billing purposes.

IBM MQ Managed File Transfer for z/OS (MFT)

See the Note about the withdrawal of 5655-MF9.

Equivalent function as Managed File Transfer on Multiplatforms, though more closely integrated with base IBM MQ offering as of Version 8.0. Must be locally bound to a z/OS queue manager.

IBM MQ Advanced Message Security for z/OS (AMS)

See the Note about the withdrawal of 5655-AM9.

Provides end to end encryption of messages throughout the IBM MQ network. Data is encrypted at rest, as well as when data is being transmitted.

From an installation perspective, AMS only provides an enablement feature, which permits encryption code integrated into the queue manager to be used.

IBM MQ Advanced for z/OS

Bundling of IBM MQ Managed File Transfer for z/OS and IBM MQ Advanced Message Security for z/OS only; that is, no IBM MQ for z/OS. Can be deployed with IBM MQ MLC or VUE offerings

IBM MQ Advanced for z/OS, Value Unit Edition

Bundling of IBM MQ for z/OS Value Unit Edition, together with IBM MQ Managed File Transfer for z/OS, and IBM MQ Advanced Message Security for z/OS

The two different licensing models, together with their associated bundles, are shown in the following table:

Both the IBM MQ Advanced Message Security product, and IBM MQ for z/OS Value Unit Edition product, provide their own module that only enables their respective function. The functional code is integrated into the base IBM MQ for z/OS code for efficiency, and supplied and serviced through the base IBM MQ for z/OS code.

From IBM MQ Version 9.0.3, rather than separately install these enablement modules, a runtime configuration option is available. This provides simpler and more granular control of which functions are available, and better recording of the capabilities used in SMF billing data at an individual queue manager level. See Product usage recording with IBM MQ for z/OS products for more information.

Program directories provide instructions for SMP/E installation of the program materials on to a target system. The Customizing IBM MQ for z/OS topics guide you through customization of the code, and creating customized execution units, for example the queue manager and file transfer agents.