Addressing Node.js requirements

Before you install Zowe™ on z/OS, you must install IBM SDK for Node.js on the same z/OS server that hosts the Zowe Application Server and z/OS Explorer Services. Review the information in this topic to obtain and install Node.js.

Required role: system programmer

note

Node.js is required when installing the Zowe servers on z/OS. Node.js is not required if using Docker instead of z/OS, or if running Zowe without the app-server enabled.

• Supported Node.js versions
• How to obtain IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS
• Hardware and software prerequisites
• Installing the PAX edition of Node.js - z/OS
• Installing the SMP/E edition of Node.js - z/OS

Supported Node.js versions

The following Node.js versions are supported to run Zowe. See the Hardware and software prerequisites section for the prerequisites that are required by Zowe.

The corresponding IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS documentation lists all the prerequisites for Node.js. Some software packages, which might be listed as prerequisites there, are NOT required by Zowe. Specifically, you do NOT need to install Python, Make, Perl, or C/C++ runtime or compiler. If you can run node --version successfully, you have installed the prerequisites required by Zowe.

note

IBM SDK for Node.js withdrew v16 from marketing on September 4, 2023. The v14 service ended on September 30, 2022.

• v18.x

  • z/OS V2R4: PTFs UI78913, UI81096, UI78103, UI80155, UI83490
  • z/OS V2R5: PTFs UI78912, UI81095, UI80156, UI83424

• V20.x

  • z/OS V2R4: PTFs UI80106, UI81096, UI78103, UI80155, UI83490
  • z/OS V2R5: PTFs UI78912, UI81095, UI80156, UI83424
  • z/OS V3R1: No PTFs needed.

How to obtain IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS

You can obtain IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS for free in one of the following ways:

• Order the SMP/E edition through your IBM representative if that is your standard way to order IBM software.
• Order the SMP/E edition through IBM Shopz with optional paid support available.
• Download PAX file format at ibm.com/products/sdk-nodejs-compiler-zos. IBM defect Support is not available for this format.

For more information, see the blog "Options on how to obtain IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Node.js".

Hardware and software prerequisites

To install Node.js for Zowe, the following requirements must be met.

The corresponding IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS documentation lists all the prerequisites for Node.js. Some software packages, which might be listed as prerequisites there, are NOT required by Zowe. Specifically, you do NOT need to install Python, Make, Perl, or C/C++ runtime or compiler.

If you run node --version successfully, you installed the Node.js prerequisites required by Zowe.

Hardware:

IBM zEnterprise® 196 (z196) or newer

Software:

• z/OS UNIX System Services enabled

• Integrated Cryptographic Service Facility (ICSF) configured and started

  ICSF is required for Node.js to operate successfully on z/OS. If you have not configured your z/OS environment for ICSF, see Cryptographic Services ICSF: System Programmer's Guide. To see whether ICSF has been started, check whether the started task ICSF or CSF is active.

Installing the PAX edition of Node.js - z/OS

Follow these steps to install the PAX edition of Node.js - z/OS to run Zowe.

1. Download the pax.Z file to a z/OS machine.

2. Extract the pax.Z file inside an installation directory of your choice.
   For example:

   pax -rf <path_to_pax.Z_file> -x pax

3. Add the full path of your installation directory to your PATH environment variable:

   export PATH=<installation_directory>/bin/:$PATH

4. Run the following command from the command line to verify the installation.

   node --version

   If Node.js is installed correctly, the version of Node.js is displayed. If it is intalled correctly, you will see the version information on your device.

5. After you install Node.js, set the NODE_HOME environment variable to the directory where Node.js is installed. For example, NODE_HOME=/proj/mvd/node/installs/node-v6.14.4-os390-s390x.

Installing the SMP/E edition of Node.js - z/OS

To install the SMP/E edition of Node.js, see the documentation for IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS. Remember that the software packages Perl, Python, Make, or C/C++ runtime or compiler that the Node.js documentation might mention are NOT needed by Zowe.