z/VM V5R3 Eval Edition

In [email protected] Alan Altmark wrote:
> Date:         Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:04:08 -0500
> Reply-To:     Linux on 390 Port <[email protected]>
> Sender:       Linux on 390 Port <[email protected]>
> From:         Alan Altmark <Alan_Altmark-r/[email protected]>
> Subject:      Re: z/VM CTCA won't start
>  
> On Monday, 01/19/2009 at 10:04 EST, David Boyes <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>> > I am playing around with z/VM V5R3 Eval Edition which now IPLs under
>> > Hercules 3.06.
>>
>> Umm, not to damp the fun here, but I don't think this is a permitted use
> of
>> the Eval Edition code. Has anyone checked with IBM?
>  
> One of the Usage Restrictions in the license agreement:
>  
> "z/VM Version 5 Release 3 Evaluation Edition operates on the IBM System
> z10 Enterprise Class (z10 EC) and IBM System z10 Business Class (z10 BC).
> The Program requires hardware that implements the IBM 64-bit
> z/Architecture in order to execute properly and therefore You are not
> authorized to install or use this Program on any machine that does not
> properly implement 64-bit z/Architecture. For information about specific
> z/VM machine requirements and programming requirements, see the z/VM:
> General Information manual, GC24-6095."
>  
> There is the interesting phrase "properly implement."  As a scientist,
> technical professional, and industry veteran, I do not believe that I
> could legitimately claim to "properly implement" *any* piece of machinery
> for which the complete specifications and verification tools are not
> published.  If I cannot verify proper implementation, then authorization
> does not exist.

I don't think that follows.

It's hypothetically possible that Hercules *does* "properly implement"
z/Architecture, at least to the extent required to run z/VM. To prove
or disprove proper implementation, you would need access to the full
specifications for the undocumented parts of the architecture. The
absense of the specifications does not prove that the implementation
is incorrect. On the contrary, the fact that Hercules is reported to
successfully run z/VM V5R3 Eval is evidence of correct implementation.

If they had intended to exclude all non-IBM equipment, they would have
said so explicitly. I cannot believe that all that convoluted phrasing
is there just for fun.

--
Regards,
Roger Bowler
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/rbowler
Hercules "the people's mainframe"