Open Mainframe Project

Open Mainframe Project is a Linux Foundation initiative focused on expanding the use of open-source software and Linux-based operating systems on mainframe computers. The project was announced on 17 August 2015 during a period when mainframes remained central to large-scale transaction processing, while much of the surrounding software ecosystem was increasingly shaped by open development models, cloud-native practices, containers, modern programming languages, and collaborative foundations. The initiative was established with IBM as a principal driver and with participation from a broad founding group that included enterprise software suppliers, systems integrators, customers, business partners, and academic institutions. Founding participants cited in contemporary descriptions include SUSE, CA Technologies, BMC Software, Compuware, RSM Partners, Vicom Infinity, L3C LLP, ADP, Marist College, and the University of Bedfordshire. This composition reflected the project's purpose: it was not intended to represent a single vendor's product line, but to create a neutral forum for collaboration around mainframe-related open-source development, education, and adoption. The project's early technical priorities included bringing or strengthening widely used open-source technologies in mainframe environments. Areas identified for development in 2016 included OpenJDK, Docker, and Hyperledger. The project also sought to broaden participation. In February 2016, the Linux Foundation announced the addition of Hitachi Data Systems, Sine Nomine Associates, East Carolina University, DataKinetics, and Canonical, the organization associated with Ubuntu. The announcement represented a reported 35 percent expansion in membership and was accompanied by a summer internship program intended to develop new technical talent for the mainframe ecosystem. Open Mainframe Project's most visible initiative has been Zowe, an open-source framework for IBM z/OS. Announced in August 2018 at the SHARE conference in St. Louis, Zowe was presented as the first open-source project for z/OS and initially offered an open beta based on version 0.9. Contributions came from IBM, Computer Associates, and Rocket Software. Zowe 1.0 followed in February 2019. The project provides several ways to work with z/OS, including command-line tools, browser-based applications, REST APIs, WebSockets, and the Zowe Explorer extension for Visual Studio Code. Its architecture includes an application framework and an API Mediation Layer, allowing users and vendors to build additional tools and expose existing services through more modern interfaces. Zowe also established a conformance program for independent software vendors and systems integrators. The program is designed to recognize extensions that meet Zowe's technical and integration requirements, helping users identify compatible products while encouraging a broader ecosystem of tools. In September 2019, Phoenix Software International obtained Zowe conformance for its (E)JES command-line interface plug-ins and REST API extension. The project's positioning is therefore primarily ecosystem-oriented rather than consumer-facing. It connects established mainframe infrastructure with open-source development practices and contemporary developer experiences. Its work is relevant to organizations that continue to depend on IBM Z and z/OS but want more accessible interfaces, interoperable tooling, community-developed components, and pathways for newer developers to work with mainframe systems. The available reference material does not establish a separate commercial ownership structure, public listing, or headquarters for the project.

Open Mainframe Project was announced on 17 August 2015 as a Linux Foundation project intended to support Linux-based operating systems and open-source software on mainframe computers. IBM was a major force behind the initiative, joined by a founding coalition that included enterprise software vendors, infrastructure specialists, customers, partners, and universities. The founding group included companies such as SUSE, CA Technologies, BMC Software, and Compuware, as well as organizations including RSM Partners, Vicom Infinity, L3C LLP, ADP, Marist College, and the University of Bedfordshire. The project emerged as mainframe users were seeking to preserve the reliability and scale of established systems while adopting development methods associated with open source, distributed computing, and cloud-native software. Rather than operating as a conventional commercial software vendor, Open Mainframe Project provides a collaborative setting for projects, technical contributions, education, and ecosystem coordination. Its scope includes both Linux on mainframe hardware and software that connects modern development practices with traditional mainframe platforms. In 2016, the project's stated development priorities included OpenJDK, Docker, and Hyperledger. In February of that year, the Linux Foundation announced additional members: Hitachi Data Systems, Sine Nomine Associates, East Carolina University, DataKinetics, and Canonical. The organization described the additions as a 35 percent increase in membership. The same announcement introduced a summer internship program, reflecting an effort to address the skills pipeline and attract students and early-career developers to mainframe technologies. The project's principal named software initiative is Zowe. Announced in August 2018 at the SHARE conference in St. Louis, Zowe was described as the first open-source project for z/OS. Its initial open beta was version 0.9, with contributions from IBM, Computer Associates, and Rocket Software. Zowe 1.0 was released in February 2019. Zowe was designed to give users more contemporary ways to access and extend z/OS. Its capabilities include a command-line interface, the Zowe Explorer extension for Visual Studio Code, browser applications delivered through the Zowe Application Framework, and REST APIs and WebSockets served through the API Mediation Layer. Developers can extend the platform with command-line plug-ins, applications added to the web desktop, and existing REST APIs integrated into the mediation layer. To support ecosystem interoperability, Zowe created a conformance program for independent software vendors and systems integrators. This program provides a certification and accreditation route for organizations distributing Zowe extensions or compatible integrations. In September 2019, Phoenix Software International obtained conformance for (E)JES command-line interface plug-ins and a REST API extension. The available source material documents the project's creation, membership growth, open-source priorities, and Zowe development, but does not provide a full account of later governance, current leadership, membership totals, financial activity, or headquarters. Open Mainframe Project is best understood as an industry collaboration and open-source brand within the Linux Foundation rather than as a standalone listed corporation.

• 2019

  Zowe 1.0 released

  [1]Open Mainframe Projecten.wikipedia.org

  The first major Zowe release provided modern command-line, browser, API, WebSocket, and Visual Studio Code-oriented access to z/OS.

• 2019

  First documented Zowe conformance accreditation

  [1]Open Mainframe Projecten.wikipedia.org

  Phoenix Software International obtained Zowe conformance for (E)JES command-line plug-ins and a REST API extension.

• 2018

  Zowe open beta announced

  [1]Open Mainframe Projecten.wikipedia.org

  Zowe was introduced at SHARE in St. Louis with an open beta based on version 0.9 and contributions from IBM, Computer Associates, and Rocket Software.

• 2016

  Initial technical priorities established

  [1]Open Mainframe Projecten.wikipedia.org

  Early development priorities included OpenJDK, Docker, and Hyperledger as technologies relevant to the modernization of mainframe environments.

• 2016

  Membership expansion and internship program

  [1]Open Mainframe Projecten.wikipedia.org

  New members joined, including Canonical and several technology, education, and services organizations; the project also launched a summer internship program.

• 2015

  Open Mainframe Project announced

  [1]Open Mainframe Projecten.wikipedia.org

  The Linux Foundation announced the project on 17 August, with IBM and a broad group of technology companies, customers, partners, and academic institutions among the founding participants.

A neutral, collaborative Linux Foundation ecosystem for modernizing mainframe software through open source, interoperable interfaces, developer tooling, and community participation.

• Open-source z/OS framework · 2018

  Zowe

  Zowe is an open-source framework for IBM z/OS that provides contemporary ways to use and extend mainframe systems. It supports command-line tooling, browser-based applications, REST APIs, WebSockets, and integrations for modern developer environments. Its extensible architecture allows third parties to add command-line plug-ins, web applications, and API integrations.

• Developer extension

  Zowe Explorer

  Zowe Explorer is a Visual Studio Code extension that gives developers an integrated interface for working with z/OS resources. It represents the project's effort to make mainframe development more familiar to users accustomed to contemporary code editors and graphical developer tools.

• Web application framework

  Zowe Application Framework

  The Zowe Application Framework supports browser-based applications and a web desktop for z/OS-related workflows. It provides an extensible environment where additional applications can be added and presented through a more unified web interface.

• API integration layer

  Zowe API Mediation Layer

  The API Mediation Layer exposes and organizes REST services and related interfaces for z/OS environments. It enables existing APIs to be onboarded into the Zowe ecosystem and provides a foundation for integrations built by users, vendors, and systems integrators.

• Software certification program · 2019

  Zowe conformance program

  The Zowe conformance program provides a certification route for independent software vendors and systems integrators whose plug-ins, extensions, or integrations meet specified Zowe requirements. It is intended to improve interoperability and give users clearer signals about compatible ecosystem products.

• 2016Open Mainframe Project summer internship program

  Global · Education · Enterprise technology

  The project introduced a summer internship program alongside its membership expansion to encourage student participation and develop future talent for mainframe-related open-source work.

  Outcome. The available source confirms the program's launch but does not provide participation figures or long-term outcomes.

  Source

• 2018

  Launch Zowe for z/OSProduct launch

  Background

  Users and developers needed more accessible tools and interfaces for working with established z/OS systems.

  Action taken

  The project announced Zowe and released an open beta with command-line, browser, API, and extensibility goals.

  Aftermath

  Zowe reached version 1.0 in February 2019 and developed a conformance program for ecosystem participants.

  Source

• 2015

  Create a neutral open-source mainframe collaborationStrategy

  Background

  Mainframe computing remained important for large-scale enterprise workloads, while open-source development and Linux were becoming increasingly influential across infrastructure software.

  Action taken

  The Linux Foundation established Open Mainframe Project with IBM and a multi-organization founding group to encourage Linux and open-source software on mainframes.

  Aftermath

  The project expanded its membership, identified open-source technology priorities, and later developed Zowe as its most prominent documented initiative.

  Source

1. 1Open Mainframe Projecten.wikipedia.org
2. 2Open Mainframe Project official websiteopenmainframeproject.org