| Updated 26 June 2025 with z/OS Infoprint Server IPP support news.
Another important Semeru (Java) milestone has been met for z/OS 3.1! Today, we are happy to indicate that we have provided support for z/OS 3.1 functions to run with Semeru 21*!
Recognize, this statement is for z/OS 3.1 functions and is different than the dependencies which your own customer Java applications have. As a reminder, any supported level of Semeru (Java) is able to run with z/OS 3.1 for your applications or for other product dependencies. While testing with Semeru 21 and z/OS 3.1, we recommend that you minimally use Semeru 21 level 21.0.6.0, which is PTF UO02118 (APAR PH65063).
As you likely have been aware, we're now in a new phase where our Semeru dependencies for z/OS functions have been changing when newer Java levels are released.
- z/OS 3.1 had an initial dependency on Semeru 11 at GA (September 30, 2023).
- z/OS 3.1 then moved to a Semeru 17 dependency on April 1, 2024.
- z/OS 3.1 now, we've moved to a Semeru 21 dependency on March 31, 2025.
As always, the location where this is always officially documented is in the z/OS 3.1 Planning for Installation book, in the "Software requirement for running z/OS 3.1" section. (Read here, on why the IBM Software Compatibility website does not contain the z/OS functional depedency list. ) As our dependencies change, this book is refreshed.
Here's the graphic I created which helps to explain how and why this dependency has been changing.
Probably the most important question you are asking is "when must I have my dependency on Semeru 11 or Semeru 17 moved to Semeru 21 for z/OS 3.1?" The answer is the deadlines are coming from the End of Service (EOS) dates for Semeru. Looking at the graphic, you can see that the planned EOS dates are:
- November 30, 2025 for Semeru 11
- September 30, 2026 for Semeru 17
To identify the PTFs necessary for z/OS 3.1 functional usage of Semeru 21, use SMP/E FIXCAT IBM.TargetSystem-RequiredService.Semeru.21 After the necessary PTFs have been installed, ensure your JAVA_HOME environment variable correctly points to the path which contains Semeru 21 for the functions you are using. By default, Semeru 21 resides in /usr/lpp/java/J21.0_64.
If you need to acquire IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1), you can order it from Shopz. I do recommend ordering it as a z/OSMF Portable Software Instance as that is the fastest (and easiest) way to install it. Note, you might want to keep it in separate SMP/E zones - but you can add those Semeru SMP/E zones to your existing z/OS 3.1 Software Instance global zone, if you wanted to deploy those two products together. Note some ideas of how to structure your software instances and SMP/E zones for this moving Java dependency here.
If you are upgrading from IBM Semeru Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 17 to Version 21 for your own applications, follow the Semeru migration actions that are found in Migrating from earlier releases of IBM Semeru Certified Edition for z/OS.
| * There is no longer any "exception" function for lower Java levels in z/OS 3.1 with the availability of the PTFs for z/OS Infoprint Server. Specifically, with the installation of the SMP/E FIXCATs mentioned above, the Infoprint Server IPP Java dependency was eliminated. Once the Java dependency was removed for the Infoprint Server IPP function within the service stream, the exception was also removed.
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