hercules - 3.13-1 main

Hercules is an open source software implementation of the mainframe System/370
and ESA/390 architectures, in addition to the new 64-bit z/Architecture.
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This means that your PC can emulate an IBM mainframe processor. The
mainframe can range from a 360 to a z900 - running in "System/370"
mode, "ESA/390" mode, or "z/Architecture" mode. Hercules executes
S/370, ESA/390, and z/Architecture instructions and channel
programs. It emulates mainframe I/O devices by using PC devices. For
example, 3390 DASD devices are emulated by large files on your hard
disk, and local 3270 screens are emulated by tn3270 sessions.
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Hercules implements only the raw S/370, ESA/390, and z/Architecture
instruction set; it does not provide any operating system facilities. This
means that you need to provide an operating system or standalone program which
Hercules can load from an emulated disk or tape device. You will have to use a
free software operating system such as Linux, write the operating system or
standalone program yourself, obtain a license from IBM to run one of their
operating systems on your PC, or use IBM programs and operating systems which
have been placed in the public domain.
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Virtual networking can be accomplished using the TUN/TAP driver in
host Linux kernel.