VM Workshop 2026

This hands-on lab will provide an opportunity to install Linux for IBM Z into a z/VM virtual machine, do some basic system administration and configure commonly used packages such as Apache. There will also be an opportunity to install the docker engine and create some basic images and run those images in containers. The choices for installation will be RedHat 9.7, SUSE SLES 15 SP6, and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. This is a multi-part lab to provide enough time to work through the lab workbook.

This hands-on lab will provide an opportunity to install Linux for IBM Z into a z/VM virtual machine, do some basic system administration and configure commonly used packages such as Apache. There will also be an opportunity to install the docker engine and create some basic images and run those images in containers. The choices for installation will be RedHat 9.7, SUSE SLES 15 SP6, and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. This is a multi-part lab to provide enough time to work through the lab workbook.

This hands-on lab will provide an opportunity to install Linux for IBM Z into a z/VM virtual machine, do some basic system administration and configure commonly used packages such as Apache. There will also be an opportunity to install the docker engine and create some basic images and run those images in containers. The choices for installation will be RedHat 9.7, SUSE SLES 15 SP6, and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. This is a multi-part lab to provide enough time to work through the lab workbook.

With the constant allure of trendy, new technologies, like AI, ML, and VR, why should you consider a career in mainframes? Join me as I share advice I've learned in the first five years of my career journey working on the mainframe, as well as how you can apply what you've learned in college as you start your role, to inspire your career decisions.

A Beginner's Perspective: Q&A With A VCU Student (This is your opportunity to interrogate a student with all your questions!) Victoria Castagnola / [email protected] This will be an opportunity for mainframe experts, newbies, and anyone in-between to ask for a beginner mainframer's perspective on things. At the speaker's first SHARE, she noticed that a lot of people wanted to know about what students thought about certain topics, mainframe-specific or technology related in general, especially from someone that didn't have to speak for a certain company or technology. Presentation will follow a loose topic format in which speaker will talk about her computer science journey and how she got interested in mainframe and then open the floor to questions and conversation. There will be some other topics included like the ever-present "modernization" and Victoria's take on what that even means. Any questions welcome.

The current educational and apprenticeship engagement model is failing to fulfill the needs of individuals looking to enter into a mainframe career and the corporations that have specific legacy environment personnel. The model being presented by EMMA, focuses the individual training to meet the desires of individuals by training to a career path. The model focuses and streamlines corporate legacy environment succession plan mitigation by tailoring the course structure to the specific needs.