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Version: v1.6.x

Installing Node.js on z/OS

Installing Node.js on z/OS

Before you install Zowe™, you must install IBM SDK for Node.js on the same z/OS server that hosts the Zowe Application Server.

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 version through your IBM representative for production use
  • Use the pax evaluation for non-production deployments

For details, see the blog "How to obtain IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS, at no charge".

Known issue: There is a known issue with node v8.16.1 and Zowe desktop encoding. See https://github.com/ibmruntimes/node/issues/142 for details.

Workaround: Use node.js v8.16.2 which is available at https://www.ibm.com/ca-en/marketplace/sdk-nodejs-compiler-zos. Download the pax.Z file under IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS, V8 - (v8.16.2 - November 2019 Build). Note that node v12 is not yet supported on Zowe.

Hardware and software requirements#

Hardware:

IBM zEnterprise® 196 (z196) or newer

Software:

  • Node.js version 6 (see IBM Knowledge Center for all prerequisites):

    • z/OS V2R2 with PTF UI46658 or z/OS V2R3
  • Node.js v8 (see IBM Knowledge Center for all prerequisites):

    • z/OS 2.2: PTFs UI62788, UI46658, UI62416 (APARs PH10606, PI79959, PH10740)
    • z/OS 2.3: PTFs UI61308, UI61376 and UI61747 (APARs PH07107, PH08353 and PH09543)
  • z/OS UNIX System Services enabled

  • Integrated Cryptographic Service Facility (ICSF) configured and started.

Installing Node.js#

The following section summarizes the required configuration steps for installing the pax evaluation version of Node.js - z/OS to run Zowe.

  1. Download the pax.Z file from the Download section 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, the version of Node.js is displayed.

  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.

To troubleshoot or read more information, see the documentation for IBM SDK for Node.js - z/OS.