Preparing for Zowe server containers installation

Before you install the Zowe server container, make sure that you have the required software and environments.

• Zowe installed on z/OS for users of ZSS and ZIS (default when you use the Zowe Application Framework app-server, the Zowe Desktop, or products that are based on them)

• z/OSMF installed on z/OS for users of it (default when you use gateway, API Mediation Layer, Web Explorers, or products that are based on them)

• A container runtime, such as:

  • Docker
  • CRI-O
  • containerd

• Kubernetes Cluster software

• kubectl, for initial setup and management of the cluster

Note: This documentation uses container terminology that may be explained within the Kubernetes Glossary.

Kubernetes cluster

The Zowe containerization solution is compatible with Kubernetes v1.19+ or OpenShift v4.6+.

You can prepare a Kubernetes cluster based on your requirements in many different ways.

• For development purposes, you can set up a Kubernetes cluster on your local computer in one of the following ways:

  • Enable Kubernetes shipped with Docker Desktop
  • Set up minikube

  Attention! You must make sure that the Kubernetes cluster you have created has a minimum RAM of 3GB in order for Zowe to start.

• For production purposes, you can set up a Kubernetes cluster in one of the following ways:

  • Bootstrap your own cluster by following instructions in Installing Kubernetes with deployment tools in the Kubernetes documentation.

  • Provision a Kubernetes cluster from popular Cloud vendors:

    • Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service
    • Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service
    • IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service
    • Google Cloud Kubernetes Engine

kubectl tool

You need kubectl CLI tool installed on your local computer where you want to manage the Kubernetes cluster. For instructions on how to install the kubectl tool, see Install Tools in the Kubernetes documentation.