Testing Platforms¶
Overview¶
The mq-rest-admin libraries are tested against IBM MQ for Distributed Platforms (Linux, via container images). IBM also ships MQ for z/OS, a separate implementation that runs natively on the mainframe. This page documents the platform coverage gap and the research behind it.
What we test¶
Integration tests run against the icr.io/ibm-messaging/mq container
image, which provides IBM MQ Advanced for Developers on Linux. The
containerized environment hosts two queue managers (QM1 and QM2) and
exercises the full REST-based MQSC pathway end-to-end. See
Local MQ Container for setup details.
What we do not test¶
We do not test against z/OS queue managers. z/OS MQ is a distinct implementation from Distributed MQ, sharing the MQSC command interface but differing in platform-specific attributes, status values, and operational behaviour. The REST API surface is largely identical, but response payloads can differ in subtle ways.
Why z/OS testing is not feasible¶
A thorough investigation (February 2026) evaluated every publicly available option for z/OS MQ access. None met the requirements for automated, CI/CD-ready testing in an open source project.
Container images¶
IBM publishes MQ container images for amd64, ppc64le, and s390x. The s390x images run the distributed Linux build of MQ, not the z/OS variant. All images are licensed under the International License Agreement for Non-Warranted Programs, which restricts usage to a single developer and does not clearly permit automated CI/CD pipelines.
IBM Z Development and Test Environment (ZD&T)¶
ZD&T emulates z/Architecture on x86 Linux and can run z/OS (and therefore z/OS MQ). Three editions exist:
| Edition | Cost | Open source viable |
|---|---|---|
| Learners | ~$120/year | No (prohibits commercial use) |
| Personal | ~$5,000+ | Possibly (high cost barrier) |
| Enterprise | Undisclosed | Unknown |
All editions require a separate z/OS license on top of the ZD&T cost.
IBM Z Xplore¶
A free, challenge-based learning platform that provides actual z/OS MQ access through web-based exercises. MQ is available in the Extended Challenges track. However, access is interactive only with no programmatic or API access suitable for automated testing.
IBM Wazi as a Service¶
Cloud-based z/OS environment on IBM Cloud VPC. Provisions quickly and offers trial access. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and MQ availability is not explicitly confirmed.
IBM Z Trial Program¶
No-cost cloud environment for evaluating IBM Z. Trial duration and terms are not specified, production use is not allowed, and MQ inclusion is unconfirmed.
Community and academic options¶
| Option | Limitation |
|---|---|
| IBM Academic Initiative | Restricted to accredited institutions |
| Open Mainframe Project | Educational resources only, no infrastructure |
| Hercules emulator | Running z/OS violates IBM licensing |
Summary¶
There is no publicly available, free, CI/CD-ready option for testing against z/OS queue managers. The closest free option (IBM Z Xplore) provides z/OS MQ access only through a web-based challenge interface, not programmatic access suitable for automated pipelines.
The project mitigates this gap by:
- Testing thoroughly against distributed MQ, which shares the MQSC command interface and REST API surface with z/OS MQ.
- Maintaining mapping data that documents known platform differences in attribute names and values.
- Accepting contributions and bug reports from users running against z/OS queue managers in production.