Virtualization’s MF Future is in its MF Past

Quick quiz. What do Mainframes and virtualization have to do with each other? Give up? In a single word: Everything. It may surprise you to know that virtualization existed on Mainframes for almost 3 decades before it existed on any other platform. As I was researching a new virtualization project involving IBM System z, z/VM, and Linux, I realized that we’ve come full circle in computing — from Mainframes and dumb terminals to the wonderful world of mid-range computers, departmental servers, and heavy desktops back to those dinosaur days of yesteryear of Mainframes and dumb terminals.