21CS VSEⁿ

New Name, Full Compatibility

VSEⁿ v6.3 key features and future direction reflect 21CS’s investment in the VSE ecosystem

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF VSEⁿ

Our first version of the VSE operating system (OS) enters the market under the name: VSEn V6.3. VSEn is designed to offer non-disruptive compatibility with previous versions of IBM z/VSE (which serves as the basis for VSEn V6.3), leveraging the source code license agreement the company completed on June 1, 2021. VSEn V6.3 also addresses fixes and features that have been to IBM z/VSE 6.2 through September 2023, along with the newest releases of the TCP/IP stacks and installation enhancements.

Support for new generations of IBM Z hardware

Investing in the Future of VSEⁿ

We’re working with active VSE vendors interested in investing in and strengthening the VSEⁿ ecosystem in key areas like security, storage, resiliency, observability, and connectivity. Some of these VSE vendors include:

Adaptigent
B.O.S. Software
Barnard Systems Inc.
Broadcom Mainframe Software
C/Trek
Cincom
CSI International
Cyber Gent

Erdani
FIS
H&M Systems Software
Lattwein GmbH
Log-on
MacKinney Systems, Inc.
Phoenix Sofware
Precisely
Q Group

QMSI
Rocket Softtware/ASG
SDS
Thigpen
Treehouse Software
Unicom Global & Macro4
Velocity Software
XPS Software

Join Our Team

Continuous innovation also means investing in the right talent and expertise. 21CS has developed a sustainable team of seasoned VSE experts who work closely with new, innovative developers. Together, the team is prepared to effectively maintain and improve upon the OS and middleware stack well into the future.

If you are looking to join our team of VSEⁿexperts, check out job opportunities..

JOB LISTINGS

Is VSEⁿ right for you? Let us know.

Get More Info

News Archive

21CS Brings VSEn 6.3 to the New IBM z16 Single Frame and Rack Mount Models

21CS Brings VSEⁿ 6.3 to the New IBM z16 Single Frame and Rack Mount Models

Jul 30, 2023

We are excited to collaborate with IBM on its new IBM z16 single frame and rack mount options that became available in May.

21st Century Software Announces VSEn V6.3

21st Century Software Announces VSEⁿ V6.3

Mar 25, 2022

21st Century Software today announced its first version of the VSE operating system (OS)—which enters the market under the name: VSEⁿ V6.3 with planned availability for May 17, 2022.

21CS Enters Agreement to License z/VSE Operating System

Jun 1, 2021

21CS Enters Agreement to License z/VSE Operating System and Middleware Stack From IBM

“IBM is pleased that 21CS has chosen to license the source code for the z/VSE operating system. We are working closely with the team to enable continued value to our customers.”

—Barry Baker, IBM VP, Product Management, IBM Z and LinuxONE

Technical Specifications

SUPPORTED HARDWARE

21CS VSEn 6.3 is supported on IBM z114/z196 and newer, including:

zEnterprise 114, zEnterprise 196, zEnterprise BC12, zEnterprise EC12, z13s, z13, z14 ZR, z14, IBM z15 T02, IBM z15 T01, IBM z16 A02 and IBM z16 A0.

DISK AND TAPE STORAGE SUPPORT

21CS VSEn 6.3 supports disk and tape (including Virtual Disk and Tape) storage from known mainframe storage providers like Dell/EMC, Hitachi, IBM (including IBM DS8910F), Optica, Luminex and Visara, as long as the disk and tape storage vendor supported IBM z/VSE 6.2 or 21CS VSEn 6.3. Where the disk storage server supports it, 21CS VSEn supports attachments of type ECKD and SCSI (FCP) and specific features like Parallel Access Volume (PAV), High Performance FICON (zHPF) and Safeguarded Copy features.

SOFTWARE

Middleware stack names have also changed, but executables (commands, jobs, APIs) have not have not been renamed to maintain compatibility for customers coming from IBM z/VSE. Here’s a look at the new names for the components we are delivering across the stack:

21CS Product Name

VSEⁿ

OLTP for VSEⁿ for OLTP

VCDD for VSEⁿ for VCDD

HLASM for VSEⁿ HLASM

IDRP for VSEⁿ for IDRP

ICKDSF for VSEⁿ for ICKDSF

21CSW IPv6/VSE

21CSW TCP/IP for VSEⁿ

HDB for VSEⁿ for HDB

Encryption Facility for VSEⁿ

Newly Released Products

SMDMU for VSEⁿ

SMCART for VSEⁿ

COBOL for VSEⁿ

PLI for VSEⁿ

Debug Tool for VSEⁿ

SDB Server for VSEⁿ

SDB Client for VSEⁿ

HLASM Toolkit for VSEⁿ

AUDT for VSEⁿ

RPG II for VSEⁿ

Newly Released Products

SCRDEF for VSEⁿ

C for VSEⁿ

Newly Released Products

GPSP for VSEⁿ

GPSP-IVU for VSEⁿ

GPSP-IMD for VSEⁿ

GPSP-PGF for VSEⁿ

Newly Released Products

MQ for VSEⁿ

Current GA Release

6.3

2.3

4.3

1.6

3.6

1.18

1.4

2.31

1.13

1.3

Q4 2022

1.4

3.5

1.2

7.6

1.6

1.3

1.4

Q1 2023

1.13

1.2

Q2 2023

3.3

1.2

2.2

Q3 2023

3.1

IBM Product Name

z/VSE

CICS TS

ACF/VTAM

EREP

DL/I

DITTO

DFSORT

DB2 Server

DB2 Client

ACLR

SDF II

GDDM

GDDM-IVU

GDDM-IMD

GDDM-PGF

WebSphere MQ

Resources:

VSEn Datasheet

We’re Listening

Are you or your company currently leveraging the VSE operating system and middleware stack? If so, 21st Century Software wants you to weigh in on this VSE customer survey.

In the survey, you’ll have a chance to communicate particularly important VSE strengths, potential future needs, pressing issues and more. Your answers will help 21st Century Software guide future direction for VSEⁿ —so be sure to make your voice heard.

Take the Survey