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Status Submitted
Workspace IBM Open Enterprise SDK for Apache Kafka
Created by Guest
Created on Jul 18, 2025

RELATED IDEAS

Native (open source) Kafka client in Java on the Mainframe to support any Kafka server target

For IBM to support the native open source Kafka client in Java on the Mainframe, a license of IBM Event automation is required, but also this support is currently limited with a requirement to connect to an IBM Kafka server only.

This is not the case for the Cobol Kafka client, which has not this limitation of target Kafka server vendor.

This limitation should be lifted as Kafka is a protocol, so not vendor dependent.
 

Idea priority Medium
  • Guest
    Nov 10, 2025

    The point is specific to the IBM support. For IBM to support the native Java Kafka client on the Mainframe, we need an Even Automation license, available as a Passport Advantage product. Here is the extract of the email I received to explain this:
    "
    Event Automation provides the official Apache Kafka Java client libraries as part of the product, and these are supported by IBM. This is how those libraries are used per our documentation: Event Streams Java Client: https://ibm.github.io/event-automation/es/getting-started/client/

    For other clients not supplied as part of the product, we make a statement here:

    https://ibm.github.io/event-automation/support/support-policy/

    "

    And for this, I received a quote for the products:
    D0DUBZX IBM Event Automation for Linux on IBM Z Virtual Processor Core License
    D0DULZX IBM Event Automation Non-Production for Linux on IBM Z Virtual Processor Core License
    but also the indication that this support would only be valid if the Kafka servers target of the Mainframe Kafka clients are IBM Kafka servers.

    My source of information is IBM Hursley.

    Reply
  • Admin
    ANUBHUTI KAUSHIK
    Nov 10, 2025

    Hi Team,

    Thanks for raising this idea. Since this is not related to KAfka SDK for COBOL, I am trying to route it to the right team. To my knowledge, Java client can be used free of cost. Can you link me to the specific Java client you are talking about? I can route it to proper team then.

    Thanks

    Reply

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