David,
Actually z/VM can read files from the HMC's CD/DVD drive (or USB port). Insert
the media, which must be formatted for normal Windows/Linux use into the HMC
and then on the HMC, you use the "Access Removable Media" task. The target is
the LPAR you want to access the media and thru the task you allow the LPAR to
access the media you select. You then get a message saying it is set up for
use.
Then, in your z/VM guest running in that LPAR, you do an "ftp 127.0.0.1" (the
loopback address) and then you do a "cd /../HMC:". This then points ftp to the
media you inserted. Using z/VM's FTP, which was specially modified to know to
route this "directory" thru the SE to the HMC, you can read files ("get"),
change directories ("cd") and list the files...normal "ftp" commands.
The path isn't particularly speedy, but it means you don't need a separate
control unit. Unfortunately, no other operating system implemented support to
use the HMC's media. And it has been supported for a number of generations
now.
Tom Mathias
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