"You don't download the link," a user named Sysplex_Ghost had written in a thread from 2024. "You inherit the ghost."

If the user is learning z/Architecture or testing Hercules but does not have a license for z/OS, the following alternatives are fully legal and downloadable:

This is the most popular download for Hercules enthusiasts. It is a version of the OS dating back to the 1980s, which IBM placed in the public domain.

By following this guide, organizations or developers with appropriate licenses can set up a Hercules z/OS 2.1 environment for their needs. Always consult IBM's licensing terms for compliance.