IBM 3745s Live On
I have not been following much of the IBM 3745 discussions but I know I looked into it back in the early 21st Century. I looked at the Visara offering and it was interesting. At that point I learned there is a firm in Bethesda, MD which has been buying up every surplus 3745 they can get for spare parts. Hopefully they were monitoring GSA and how it salvages IT equipment. jim marshall -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
z/OS Feeding SolarWinds
One of our Cyber Security folks is putting up a NOC (Network Operations Center) and they purchased something called SolarWinds. Now they are on my doorstep saying they want to scan my system along with DB2 and Oracle data bases. This is COOL and then I asked how they intended to do this magic; hey we can accept SNMP traffic. He said we already knew how to do all of this (guess it was my age and grey hair).Besides asking for contacts within SolarWinds, I thought I might throw this out to the community and see if anything rings a bell. Appreciate any info one might offer as to what I can do to get some pretty displays on the wall of the NOC and inspire awe in people. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
Dual IBM 3584 ATLs
In 1997 or so we installed a used IBM 3494 ATL and now in 2012 we are replacing with two IBM 3584 ATL systems. The first one is on the floor and 2nd will be arriving in March. Hey this is the US Govt and we got our money out of it. We also run IBM's RMM. We have one series of carts, 93 for the first ATL and plan on 94 for the 2nd series. We would be ejecting out carts to head off to DR storage and coming back. Also we have carts created onsite and come back to used 1-2 times a year. These carts are in RMM and have VRS records. My concern is when these carts return, operations puts a cart into the wrong ATL (should I be comcerned) or does it manner. In misfile case, will it reject the input or just put the cart into limbo status for me to eventually figure out. Been thinking about maybe defining both ranges to both ATL's and then who cares. But it seems RMM might care. Am sure someone has encountered this question and knows the answers or some food for thought. Any help is appreciated. Jim Marshall, Washington DC -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
SPF in 1978
In 1978 I had the honor to have the first IBM 3032 shipped (#06) into the Pentagon when I worked at the Air Force Data Services Center. I already had in place an IBM 360-75J which ran TSO. With the IBM 3032 came IPO 1.0 and we also receive the full-screen product called IBM 3270 Display and Structure Prgramming Facility or as people called it SPF. Later in the early 1980s it morphed into ISPF and a few years later it split into ISPF and PDF. PDF came with all the facilities to write ISPF applications. It was for those who did not want to buy the precoded ISPF dialogs. Then in the middle 1980s I also worked on VM and their was an ISPF and PDF for VM. The notion was you'd learn ISPF and it would be almost the same in both world. Except the diehard VM'ers loved CMS. Later in the early 1990s I recall ISPF and PDF merged back into ISPF; except over in VM where it remains today. If you look at VM's DIRMAINT software it will have a pre-requisite of these products but indeed only if you want to use their precoded ISPF application. Save your money. Very interesting times. Jim Marshall, Capt, USAF-Ret -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
Carts Created with RECFM=N
Doing a VTS migration and have run across some DSNs which were created with RECFM=N. We are using Tivoli Tape Optimzer software to do mass copies of files. It chokes on these RECFM=N files.IBM is telling us they do not support RECFM=N files and have no clue how these could be created. Tracked it back to the developer and he is puzzled at how these could have been created with RECFM=N. Has anyone ran across software products which might have outputed RECFM=N files. Any clues appreciated. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Washington DC Position Available - Peformance Capacity Reporting/Planning
Vacancy z/OS Performance Reporting, Capacity Planning, Performance Tuning (optional). Data Center has 2-z9BCs operating in a z/OS Parallel Sysplex. Knowledge of SAS required to report using MXG. Knowledge of SAS SAS/STAT, required and SAS/Graph helpful. This is a contractor position with Compuware Services with a US Government agency. Position is located in downtown Washington DC with Metro train access. MXG is also being exploited to report on zLinux running under z/VM with Websphere Application Server, DB2, and Oracle. There is ample opportunity to expand into zLinux Middleware products and other software as needed. Data Center runs z/OS, JES2, USS, CICS, ADABAS, Websphere Application Server, HATS, Enterprise Service Bus with Websphere MQ, Message Broker, DB2 and a few other interesting products. There is no classified data involved although the person must be able to get the US Government Executive Branch equivalent of a Top Secret Security clearance; due to the sensitivity of the data involved. You can either send an inquiry to me and I can give you the particulars of how to contact Compuware. Or you can send the resume to me and I can give to the Compuware Services manager. I am the US Government Technical Coach of the group, ensure the work is kept interesting, supply what the folks need and foster the exchange of technical information. Tele-working is not offered (even for me) due to the daily demands for expert advice. I understand Washington DC scares people with the horror stories of expensive living. But I can attest to living here on much less money in the military and doing quite nicely. The US Government is a very stable employer in general. Interested parties can contact me off-list and I can hook you up with the Contractor besides area info. This place is too much fun to retire; a second time. Jim Marshall,jim.marsh...@opm.gov 202-606-1261 -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
TPCR Version 4.2 WAS
We just purchased some new IBM DS8800 DASD and along with it bought TPCR and got TPCR 4.2 to be installed on the IBM 2096s. We run WAS V7.0 and now learn TPCR V4.2 needs WAS V6.1 for it to work. Back when we upgraded from WAS V6.1 to WAS 7.0 because of IBM pressure to get off V6. IS anyone running TPCR V4.2 using WAS V7.0 today or I am stuck with reinstalling V6.1 and asking IBM not to bill me; 'cause it ain't my fault the Tivoli folks can not stay current. Thanks Jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Connect Direct on a separate LPAR
Answer is YES, we do it today. We have a HOT-Standby capability on a 2nd Machine in case the primary goes down. You say you will only have it one LPAR. Interesting for it seems to say you run Prod and TEST in the same LPAR. In general we need to have it in TEST LPAR to do checkouts for initial trading partner implementations and to get the quirks out of the new releases. Then we run PROD and it is up all the time. In general a. Since with multiple LPAR sites and maybe multiple machines you will have to route all the transfers over to where C:D is running. A small shop this may not be a problem; a big shop it might be. This is premising you running it in one and only one LPAR. b. If you are running one and only one instance, then PROD and TEST are in the same C:D and the need to recycle it periodically in testing will be an issue if it is used much at all. c. I understand now SECURE+ is packaged as standard equipment and that is goodness. If indeed you want to save more , then many places I have known will offload it onto a LINUX Server and pay around $15-20K up front and then SS. Note: I understand IBM's new licensing scheme may change this from what Sterling Commerce had it. Suggest you talk to IBM about how it is going to license the product in their mold. I am currently still trying to figure out the licensing methodology from the old way to the new way. It has not been easy to get the conversion information of how my 30+ licenses dropped to 6 (I am told). You can contact me offlist if you need any more info. I have run the product for about 18 years. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Connect Direct on a separate LPAR
Depending on the number of transfers you do you can get a license for 'n' concurrent transfers so costs won't be based on type or size of box. What Sterling Commerce (SC) did until bought by IBM was to license mainframe licenses on MIPS. Maybe they did have a session license at some reduced cost. The way I understand now IBM will only be marketing unlimited sessions and including SECURE+ as standard equipment. This makes licensing much simpler. SC had 3, 5, 7 and MAX-Server licenses along the way. Then it varied by Windows, UNIX, LINUX, and all the other platforms they could run the product; and it was many, many. Just ensure if are able to get a less than unlimited session license, you understand how outbound and inbound transfers will work and what happens when all the sessions are busy. My Data Exchange partners do not want to believe I can not accept their transfer (appears as I am not available) when they are sending to me. Likewise outbound transfers will fail if initiated when all the sessions are used (of course I have coded a number of retries over a 2-3 hour period for it to be successful when sessions free up). So in my case unlimited sessions was not costing much more than cheaping out and getting all the phone calls asking if I am DOWN; actually just very busy. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: ZDNET actually says something nice about IBM LINUX
How many Virtual Linux Servers per IFLHm with the usual answer it it depends. Today I am running one z9BC IFL and have up 55+ Virtual Linux Servers. That is, 3 LPARS (BUILD, TEST, Prod). As to what they do is more relevant than the quantity. Have 2 production DB2 LUW servers, 2 production Oracles, 2 Production Websphere Application Servers, Tivoli TAMS WebSeal, and a number of Virtual Firewalls to implement Defense in Depth. Now we have duplicated those is the TEST/UAT LPAR and then we have to build all of it. In general when we brought up zLinux back in 2004-5 or so, we found if you had z/OS trained people managing things with not Linux experience, it all got built very inefficiently. Everytime performance got bad they would add memory to improve things and it just made it worse. Then there was the z/VM aspect where historically speaking it was 2 different cultures. One needed to tune z/VM first and then move down to the Linux machines. So again, to me, it depends on what you are asking these Virtual Linux servers to do would be important in understanding how many one can usually run in an IFL. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Postion Available Washington DC
I currently have a Contractor position open on the staff here, here are the particulars 1. Fifteen year of demonstrated experience as a VTAM systems programmer, at least ten years of which must be within a MVS/ESA operating system or higher with subsystems very similar to 2. Three years of recent experience as a senior VTAM systems programmer providing expertise in z/OS or OS/390 Communications Server. 3. Three years of recent demonstrated experience implementing zSeries technologies similar in scope to the one described in this solicitation. 4. Three years of recent demonstrated experience in implementing Communications Server in a z/OS Parallel Sysplex environment. 5. Demonstrated experience in configuring IBM Open Systems Adapter. 6. Demonstrated experience in configuring IBM 8265 and CISCO Switches. 7. Demonstrated experience in presenting technical communications information. 8. Recent demonstrated experience performing z/OS software conversions, as well as release level upgrades. 9. Recent experience in leading large-scale, technically complex systems software/integration projects involving systems similar to one cited in this solicitation. 10. Recent demonstrated experience in performing problem determination and resolution. 11. Recent demonstrated experience in performing problem determination using VTAM and IP Trace facilities. 12. Recent demonstrated experience in implementing and testing a disaster recovery plan. The job is with Compuware Services. I am the COTR of the contract and will be glad to forward your inquiry over to the company for review. If you are hesitant about coming to the Washington DC area, give me a call and I can chat about the living expenses, entertainment, and general over all conditions. I came to DC back in 1975 as an Air Force Staff Sergeant (single) and lived well. I came back in the 1980s as an officer and lived quite well. Am now a gov't civilian and making it fine. I have enticed a number of folks over the years from out in the hinderland to come here and they are still around. The work is challenging and interesting with a plan to go to GDPS Active-Active Sysplex at 69km. IBM zEnterprise Servers are coming next year and just upgraded DASD Tape. Just moving into DB2 for z/OS Data Sharing and converting SuSe to RedHat Linux on z. If someone wants to broaden their horizons and can do what is considered your job, you can cross over into other areas. You will need the ability to get a SSBI (Single Scope Background Investigation) Full Adjudicated Background Investigation Let me know if you are interested. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
HYBRID is now In Vogue
Has anyone been notified of IBM changing their handles from zSeries or z something to Hybrid something. I ask this because I just purchased some IBM hardware of various types and my z hardware sales person is no longer z. The person now shows as the official IBM title Channel Hybrid Sales Specialist for some FICON stuff I bought. So may z Software people will now be Hybrid Software Sales although maybe this is an unannouced marriage of the Passport Advantage sales team with the z Sales Team (oh no). Maybe it will all be put onto Passport Advantage and no need for the z/OS software people (interesting cost savings). Now that IBM is going Hybrid in a big way, will z be called Legacy in the future?Stay tuned and let me know if anyone hears anything. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
IBM's Omegamon for z/OS
Way back when I got IBM's Tivoli Omegamon for Mainframe Networks when IBM bought Candle and NPM/IP V2 was a flaming disaster; at no charge just to keep me around. My main concern has been the direction IBM said it was taking of me having to have Linux on z or an AIX system to take advantage of the product. Over the years IBM has confirmed it over and over. Recently I was looking at Tivoli Omegamon for z/OS and I am hearing IBM Product Mger saying that is not true and it happily runs self contained on z/OS (my goal for DR reasons). Back when IBM said the 3270 interface was now stablized and not to be enhanced. I am told now it is being updated. But my questions of how the product runs a GUI interface runs have been met with why do I need it. Is any one running the product and can comment if the zLinux or AIX is still in the cards. True if one has the 3270 interface it works but you'd lose functionality and be paying for something you can not use. My thought is it should all run completely on z/OS and I would not need any other systems. Anyone want to comment about Omegamon CICS/DB2/Websphere/etc jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Block Letter Routines
Been reading a number of posts concerning the External Writer, Block Letters, routines to print, etc. Way back in the 20th Century in the MVT days I get a tape of the Eastern Airlines source code modification to OS/MVT; it was a great day in the neighborhood which happened to be the Pentagon (my Air Force days). We were big into producing microfiche and I wanted to microfiche an entire source PDS. I wanted each member preceded by a one page block letter page. Indeed EALSD095 came from Eastern Airlines happily extended to handle all the characters. I do not recall if it contained the National characters; if it did not then Bill Godfrey, my contractor, would have added them. I adapted some Goddard Space Flight Center utilities for listing PDS's to go off to a block letter routine which used EALSD095. All this code is on the CBT Tape probably in file 316. You can thank the Air Force for recognizing the value of Open Source and fully supporting permitting my efforts to gather up code from many places, figure out how it work, clean it up a little adding my style of documentation and sending it for Arnie Casinghino CBT tape and also to the SHARE tape. Plus I had 2 - IBM 3330V dedicated in an IBM 3850 MSS, and this was 1979, to just source code. It was some fun times and it was a pleasure to serve. Oh yes, all that code is still available today. Just in case some question why it all has not been converted to 31-bit, etc, etc. It is because it still works today as is and also might be useful to those who are running MVT or MVS 3.8 somewhere. Not to plug some of the CBT's offerings but I put out IBM's Fortran G, H along with PLI and RPG which IBM distributed free back when. Sam Golob added ALGOL along the way. I understand and works today. Jim Marshall -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Assembler with ISPF Presentation
Been off on vacation and came back to see the discussion of Assembler and a desire to have presentation made easy. I did just this back in the 20th Century when I discovered ISPF and all the neat things I could do on screens. The ugly part at first was the need to use the way I code the CALL which imbedded the ISPF modules in my ALC. When ISPF was updated it was called re-assembly/Link(BIND) time. So with a bit of coding I changed them over to make use the ISPF modules dynamically and life was good. All this work can be found on the www.cbttape.org in my files (try 161). Enjoy jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
z/OS System Programmer Needed East Coast
I am aware of a need for a z/OS Systems Programmer to work under contract at Ft Meade, MD southwest of Baltimore and northeast of Washington DC. The person should already have a minimum Top Secret clearance in place. If any further clearances are needed the firm will sponsor and get the higher level clearances needed. Oh yes, undoubtly you have heard it is expensive to live here and I will say housing is not cheap depending on your needs. But in general I can here in the 1970s in the military and ended up staying. This area has been almost recession proof with pay scales which have not really come down much at all. The folks I have hired here are quite happy and doing quite well. Most everything else you need entertainment wise is free. If someone wants to chat about specific costs, let me know. If someone is interested, contact me offlist and I can point you in the right direction. Jim jim.marsh...@opm.gov -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
zIIPs and TCP/IP usage
Right now I am looking at zIIPs and zAAPs planning for some new z196s. One area of interest is I read zIIPs can offload some of my TCP/IP work. What are people seeing as what is being offloaded within TCP/IP and how much. Just from a high level is this any load of significance I could expect or is it relatively low. Say for instance I did not have any DB2 or XML, then has anyone just got the zIIP because of TCP/IP. I am discounting JAVA workload out of the picture to keep away from the discussion of doing zIIPzAAPs and combining the two. So just for the sake of this discussion say I have no JAVA workload either. Be interested in others actual experiences. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Ends an ISPF session.
Many people have responded and maybe this solution has already been given. In general the LOG dataset is created when certain functions are done all along in the ISPF session. Only twice in my career did I care. So setting the OPTION to 2 to delete it when I am done seemed wasteful. WHY CREATE IT IN THE FIRST PLACE Go to Option 0, select LOG Defaults (1) and you will see a panel to complete. You can put 2 as the option but below you will see Primary Pages and Secondary Pages. These somehow equate to a space allocation for the LOG File. Change these to 0 (zero) and in the future when it goes to allocate the log, ISPF sees no space is to be allocated: a. It does not allocate the file. b. It will not write to the file along the way c. There is no need to delete the file at the end of the session. d. If for any reason, you need it, change the settings to values and use it. My customer at the time (wife who was my paying customer) complained about when she got into ISPF it always seemed like it went off for 4-5 seconds first thing and then was fine as far as response. I surmised it was the dynamic allocation for the file. In the 1990s we even had STK and Memorex 3380s and it was noticeable. She made the changes and no more delays to get started. I never figured out what the constant logging was doing as I was working. But the best I/O delay is the one you never make happen. I still spread the word today only because of all the SPFLOGn files left out on DASD and then our Storage Person has routines to sweep them away after a while. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
z/OS Virus Checker zLinux Virus Checker
Auditors came around and wrote up our z/OS V1R10 Sysplex for not running a Virus Checker. Anyone has a constructive solution as to one being available or some verbage which defends the position. Been hunting around for a Virus Checker for zLinux. Also interested in what kind of over head it might use. thanks jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
SHARE - Anaheim - Hilton Government Rate
I looked at the Hilton Hotel US Government rates and immediately booked a room across the street at a little motel at significant savings. But later I got some advice from a helpful person (source not to be revealed) which recommends the following. For those who think the SHARE US Government Rate is too high (and it is) call directly into the Hilton and book a room at the US Government rate. I understand it is $129; much lower than the $158 a night I saw on the SHARE lodging pages. I understand if you do this, SHARE still gets the credit for you anyway by staying in the hotel. Oh yes for all those US Government workers who will be attending, do not forget to go get the form off the GSA website to be exempt from the 14% hotel tax. At one point California would not accept them but the last time I attended in Anaheim, it was taken. OK, I am staying where I am in the spirit of saving a few bucks for the US Taxpayer. See those attending in Anaheim next month. Jim Marshall -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
z196s Daisy Chained Converters
I have an old Xerox 4635 Parallel Channel attached Xerox 4635 and hope to have an all FICON Channel z196 by the end of the year. Am curious if anyone has daisy chained Converters as follows: Parallel channel Device with CU connected to ESCON converter which is then connected ESCON to a FICON Converter connected to a FICON Channel on a z196 or maybe you have it on a z10/z9. If so what is your speed of the FICON channel needed. Just considering this although the X4635 is 14+ years old. Hope to replace it with an IP attached printer though. Just wanted to get a sense if someone was actually doing it. You know the customer will ask WHY do they need a new one; it still works, paid for years ago, etc. You are free to contacting me offlist if you do not want to admit having such a gludge in place. Thanks Jim Marshall, Washington DC -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Connect:Direct Needed Enhancement
Need some assistance from those running Connect:Direct for z/OS from Sterling Commerce (who is now IBM). The way C:D reports the success or unsuccessful transfer of files is by putting out a SVTM052I message. For example Successful - SVTM052I COMPLETED /SCPA000I Unsuccessful - SVTM052I COMPLETED 0008/SVSA909I Monitoring these in any kind of System Automation software causes excessive overhead by having to trap SVTM052I and then parse down to either the return code or maybe the . My suggestion is either to change errors to SVTM052E or maybe duplicate the unsuccessful SVTM052I message with a SVTM052E to make it transparent for those who maybe are parsing the message. We do many, many, etc, transfers per day and would like to “efficiently” automate the monitoring of these using our System Automation product. If you are a Connect:Direct installation, agree with the need, contact Sterling Commerce (IBM) and support my problem report of 256333. Thanks Jim Marshall Jim Marshall, Software Engineer Washington DC 20415 -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Tivoli Storage Manager for z/OS (Functionally Stablized Impending Demise)
I called IBM in yesterday to get an update to learn if TSM for z/OS was still destined for the scapeheap come 2013 and indeed it is. Although one can prolong its life by 3-4 years aftyer 2013 paying extra for extended support. The pitch is to move your TSM over to zLinux, AIX, Windows, etc. This is not appealing for a number of reasons why we went with TSM for z/OS; 99.999% availability, automation, operational advantages, use existing IBM VTS/ATL, tape management as a part of either RMM or CA-1, etc. Back when I heard the annoucement a few years ago, the IBM party line I heard at SHARE each year (2 years running) was TSM was converting over to use DB2 as its catalog store. IBM had discovered using DB2 for z/OS would mean a spectacular performance hit and running on distributed systems using UDB/DB2 it ran like a bandit. Therefore it was DB2's fault and they had no choice. Yesterday the story was met with amazement and it has changed to no one was using TSM for z/OS and I was only one of five total. Therefore it was an economic decision (which if true makes sense). Also the TSM folks believe the world is going over to zLinux besides because of the big upswing in the number sold last year (probably very true). Question - 1: SO I would like to know who are the other four people who had a similar idea about using TSM for z/OS, to be the data backup place in order to leverage all the good things z/OS has to offer. Like to include those who in the last 2-3 years may have junked TSM for z/OS and went over to another methodology because of the IBM notion no is using the product. Call me a skeptical, but with all the sales emphasis done by IBM Tivoli, am I to believe for the last 5-6 years, all the z/OS installations in the world assaulted by teams of IBM'ers only succeeded in 5 TSM for z/OS sales. Question - 2: So what are people going to use to back up things like your zFS/HFS files on z/OS to get granularity in the restoring at the file level. And also if you are using Linux on z, what is the same backup strategy for the Linux file systems if one did not use TSM for z/OS. I hear for TSM for Linux Server to dump the zFS files on z/OS I run a TSM Client on z/OS and will need Open Systems Tape hardware like LTO specifically for the Tape drives used by TSM. Today I only have FICON IBM 3592 type drives for z/OS and z/VM dumps. So now I would need to buy hardware along with the TSM for Linux Server? You may respond onlist or offlist. Like to take a poll here and will publish the high level survey (no names or industries, etc) besides giving the information to the IBM TSM folks as either confirmation, etc. Jim Jim Marshall, Software Engineer Washington DC 20415 -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: FW: The meaning of SCIDS.
The meaning of SCIDS - Ah yes, going back a bunch of years when the Air Force and Marines were heavily represented. I always heard it as Society to Ceep Inebriated Drunks of the Streets (which it most certainly did). Imagine a Grand Ballroom with 4-5K folks and about 50-60% SYSPROGs and a free bar with hard liquor; all you could drink. The information, as well as, the booze was free flowing. Now you know why staying in the SCIDS hotel was so sought after versus one of the other 10-12 hotels. I recall when a city heard heavy drinking guys (very few woman were in Systems Prgramming), the local bars would be stock up. Then during the week the word of SCIDS would filter out and the only action would be when SCIDS closed and a few sessions were moved to the SCIDS hotel bar. But by that time, most of the hanger-on'ers were already three sheets to the wind. The next day it was always a topic of conversation amongst the military types as to who made the 0800 sessions and who slept in. It was also challenging if you were the Session Chair or worse the speaker. I must commend the Marines, for they were up at dawn and ready to go. Jim (USAF-Ret) -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: HOD User Signon Capture
On Mon, 4 Oct 2010 13:24:08 -0500, Rick Sapp rs...@unitrin.com wrote: Have a problem: Our external users can access our mainframe via web applications (the actual userID is passed rarely, most of the time it is an application ID). UserID in HOD repository does not match the UserID on the mainframe, so any value of SMF recs is out. Business wants to capture user occurrences of signing on to HOD to measure usage (some of our partners require this access to access our mainframe). How can we capture that user information at the point of signon to the HOD internal security repository? -Are there HOD server logs where this information is present? -Are there audit logs that have unsuccessful and successful access? -Is there a parameter that can be set to capture this User Signon info? Operating here without much to go on in no-manual land Like to get a clarification on a few things before responding. 1. I think HOD is referring to IBM's Host-on-Demand 2. You say Our external users can access our mainframe via web applications (the actual userID is passed rarely, most of the time it is an application ID) Then why are you not using the same RACF ID when they sign onto the system as one would use with HOD authorizing them using RACF? 3. Above you seem to say the users are accessing Web Applications using HOD. HOD is 3270 based with a small JAVA applet downloading to the user's PC. Is that what you actually use? 4. You say you are accessing HOD's Internal Security Repository? What are you using this repository to do (in general without revealing any sensitive info). Maybe you are talking about the internal Profile Pools HOD can have? It seems to read you are not using RACF/ACF2/TS for HOD sign to the mainframe? 5. Why don't you have any manuals? Maybe you let the yearly Passport Advantage Support lapse. Believe the manuals are freely available but asking questions might not. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: How get RECEIVE to prompt for member overwrite?
On Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:14:08 -0700, Charles Mills charl...@mcn.org wrote: The doc for TSO RECEIVE DATASET() says If the data set is partitioned, you are prompted to replace duplicate members. (There are several preceding if clauses in sentences in the paragraph; it's not clear to me whether they are meant to apply to this sentence.) Seem to recall it always working for me although I have not had the need to use it. My suggestion is to go to TSO and enter Profile List and see if you are set to NOPROMPT or PROMPT and look at WTPMSG versus NOWTPMSG. One of those if turned off may be preventing the prompt. Let us know if this might be the cause. For the discussions of whether IEBCOPY in the command issued has used the R option for years working fine as I recall. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: can I dynamically increase tso size
Larry Macioce wrote: I need to work on a file and I've tried the 8192k I am allowed but the file still comes up in browse mode Can I change it and how large can I change it Sounds like a good time to install REVIEW from Greg Price. It will handle any size file and I understand one can also EDIT too. A very CHEAP solution from CBTTAPE.ORG jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: HTTP TO HTTPS CONVERSION
We have a WEBSRV running on the Mainframe and we are trying to figure out how to get our address of http:// to automatically convert to https:// when the user types it in... Believe you are asking for users who type in http://; is for it to get converted to https://; on the return and for the session. If this is what you want, contact me offlist if you are interested and be glad to get one of my techies to tell explain. We do it being nice to the user versus forcing them to always remember to type https versus http. We want the RACF prompt to go back to them HTTPS and startout things securely. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: ATL 3494 for z/OS and zLinux
is there a product that would allow me to use an ATL 3494 in the z/OS lpar and the zLinux lpar (in the same CEC) simultaneously ? At the moment I'm using it in the z/OS lpar (with DFSMSrmm) only. Yes, you can do it but now you are into getting the infrastructure on the z/VM zLinux side to work with the ATL. I looked at this a few years ago and decided to go with Tivoli Storage Manager for z/OS. The idea is to have all the ATL activity handled by z/OS and keep my z/VM and zLinux from doing tape handling. Then my z/OS can run all the jobs, tapes managed by RMM, etc. Besides I might put some of the dumps into the VTS along the way. Now IBM has decided to Sunset TSM for z/OS in 2013 or so and one must maybe convert to TSM for zLinux with all the ugly tape handling outside of z/OS; dumb move although they claim the DB2 performance needed is not available on z/OS but is on zLinux. My next move will be to take another serious look at FDR's Upstream to keep it all over on the z/OS side and not have all the complications of using tapes managed in the z/VM and zLinux worlds. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
IBM Is Hiring
Just passing this along here in my part of the land. Jim Marshall IBM is Hiring! Interview with us on July 27th in McLean,VA. Do you think the world can work smarter? Join us. Let's build a smarter planet. Interview with IBM at our upcoming open house on Tuesday July 27th at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner in McLean, VA. For event details, job listings and advance registration visit: http://www.IBMexpo.com. As the planet becomes smarter, we have a chance to create meaningful progress and change the way the world works – for the better. At IBM Global Business Services – the world’s largest business consultancy – we understand that real business value is delivered when business consulting is enriched with advanced research, analytics and technology. At IBM we have the unique opportunity to bring these elements together, enhancing the value we bring our clients. With operations in 160 countries across 17 industries, you will make a real impact by solving complex business issues for the world’s leading clients – helping them become part of a smarter planet. Visit http://www.IBMexpo.com for details! -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Mainframe books
I'm looking for a book that breaks down the interanls of MVS. I was talking to one of our SYSPROGS and he said there use to be a book that really broke everything down into real simple terms that was easy to understand. He couln't remember what the name was though. I'm sure it wasn't on MVS, probably much earlier. If anyone knows of such a book or have any recommendations, I'd appreciate it. You never mentioned what kind of knowledge you possessed about MVS. If you are already a SYSPROG doing MVS, then it would be one path. New to MVS wanting to understanding internals is another internals. If you are new and maybe already understand UNIX, the I would recommend the book UNIX as a Second Language. Back in the 1980s, Bob Johnson (computer performance fame and Landmark Systems) wrote this book for we MVS'ers to understand UNIX. But the reverse came about when I editted it for Bob, I could now understand UNIX. This was back when MVS'ers did not care about such things. If you ar interested, contact me offlist. I got to come back in the US Government applying his 15 prior years service. He is in retirement and I understand still makes the book available. Jim Marshall -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
TSSO - Hardcoded Offsets - Etc
The comments are warranted although there is more to this than meets the eye. Since you cam blame me for unleashing TSSO on the SHAREWARE world you need to understand its origins. Back in the Air Force Data Services Center in the Pentagon in the 1970s as a Sgt we were running an IBM 360-75J and had just gotten in the first shipped IBM 30XX which was the IBM 3032 serial #6. So we had to convert from MVT to MVS and we contracted to PRC for assistance. In the door came Bill Godfrey, Carl Goswick, etc to assist us. Along with converting the MVT to a timesharing machine (putting up TSO HASP 3.1 with PRC Mods), PRC helped us get MVS/JES2/TSO/etc into production to take over the MVT workload. Then the 360 would be available for dial-up Timesharing. Anyway Bill brought in a bunch of code he had developed at another US Government agency. You have to understand how Bill worked. He was/is a master at developing code, installed his full screen Browse on MVT called REVIEW, and now my IBM 3270 on MVT looked a bunch like it looked on MVS. But he was into developing code and not making code for general use. He would get it to work and functioning for our use. Then we had so many other requirements there was not enough time to go back to clean up all the hardcoded offsets. Being a 3 year SYSPROG at that point I was in awe of his ability. In our early days of MVS, one of the new SYSPROGs (an officer) hosed up the JES2 parms and we ipl’ed. Yep, JES2 would not come up and no SYMBOLIC had been used to point to another parms. In fact he had not saved off the vanilla one. So we ended up having to do a STANDALONE restore of the pack. Later that week Bill came over to show me his TSSO. Up to that point IBM had preached nothing, nada, zilch, could be done unless JES2 came up. Well Bill had coded TSSO as an IBM Subsystem and its sole purpose was to start up if JES2 was down and to be able to enter TSO commands from the console to do things like EDIT, RENAME, DELETE, etc. Bill had figured out the inner workings of the Subsystem Interface and exploited it. So in the future our fallback strategy was to save off the parms as JES2POLD and fire up TSSO to simply rename. We could also do it for changes to the JES2 proc itself. TSSO was meant as an internal tool only and not for general use. But now Bill was using a US Government computer for development and so I grabbed it off and on behalf of the US Air Force and taxpayers to give it to the CBT and SHARE tapes. In the coming years Marc Schare picked up the code and turned it into an automation tool. Getting back to Bill though he was off exploring new challenges. On the TSO code I picked up from him, I went back and changed most of the hardcoded offsets to DSECTs, etc. Gave me a good look into control blocks and to be able to learn from the master. It was the best educational experience of my career. Eventually Bill moved on and is still working on US Government Contracts and I moved on in the Air Force taking all that code with me. As I said, a bunch of it is on the CBT tape today. It was Bill’s intent by design to get the idea rolling in code and then let other pick up the code to further enhance it. Bill’s REVIEW command was picked up by Greg Price in Australia who massively expanded it with many more functions. TSSO went to Marc Schare and he expanded it greatly. There is code elsewhere claimed by others and being enhanced. I/We owe many thanks to Bill. His genius lives today although sorry to say on AIX systems last I heard. Jim Marshall, Capt, USAF-Ret -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Disk replacing Tape?
Schwarz, Barry A pisze: Doesn't anyone exercise the DR plan anymore? If so, without reading the backups? Of course we do! Does anyone use PTAM for DR? Really? We use remoted copy for DR. We don't need to recover anything from tape, because we have all the data on DASD. Oh, we do have tapes with MIGRATs and backups in DR site - we duplicate all the data on tape, and one volume set resides in remote ATL. Without virtual tapes. BTW: Tape is fine for recovery single datasets. Time to recover all the data from tape is simply unaccpeptable from business point of view. Not to mention RPO for tapes (Recovery Point Objective). -- Radoslaw Skorupka For people with limited budgets there can be a blend where Tapes are indeed used and cost effective. Oh yes, the RTO here is 12 hours for Production with our RPO is 30-60 seconds. 1. Mirror critical Production data to the remote location; thus one can IPL. 2. Do not mirror the Spool and other very static production data depending on the application needs. 3. Contract to firms like IBM, etc, to use their horsepower in the DR versus buying your own CPUs. 4. Recover the other static, non-critical data from tape. 5. Recover the development systems from tape but not the development data (it can be rebuilt from Production data in most cases) Note: Development systems are absolutely needed in DR because changes happen and also bugs are found which need to be fixed. In our cases US Law changes may mean application changes are in order. So indeed tape still plays. Mirroring all data is expensive and maybe it is warranted. Having nothing on tape would be great (maybe). Mirroring tape has its expense much greater than say using PTAM for some or even all. Hey, since there is no one right answer, then it takes a community of SYSPROGs to implement. With one right answer then would need all of us. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
z/OS WAS Work in WashDC
In need of a z/OS Systems Programmer to work in downtown Washington DC. The work is as a contractor working in a US Government Agency in downtown near the Viet Nam Wall. The operation has 2 IBM 2096 computers running in a z/OS Parallel Sysplex; CICS, DB2, ADABAS, WAS, MQ, Enterprise Service Bus, Web Serving, JAVA, TWS, SA for z/OS, SMB, COBOL, etc. In addition z/VM amp; Linux is part of the overall operation. What is needed is experience in Websphere Application Server along with SMS (DASD) responsibilities. Generalized z/OS experience is a must. No telecommuting permitted for we need to be close to our users and senior management to respond to inquires and to have them exploit out technical expertise; projects span the US and reach overseas. Contractor has been here for 20+ years and the operation is expanding. It is expected that once you have mastered your area of responsibility, you will move onto some other area to come up to speed training another. In the mix is the maintenance of z/OS, etc, and Linux Middleware. I have all the z/OS staff trained in z/VM and Linux so they can do work their along with understanding how z/OS, z/VM and Linux all integrate into the Lines of Business (no z/OS Bigots wanted). I understand Washington DC scares people with the horror stories of expensive living. But I can attest to living here on much less money in the military and doing quite nicely. The US Government is a very stable employer in general. Interested parties can contact me off-list and I can hook you up with the Contractor besides area info. Hey, just signed up for Medicare last year and having too much fun to retire (again). Jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Amazing article - Info on Collecting GDGs
Not any from IBM that I am aware of. IBM's method implys a stack of GDGs, where (0) is always the newest one created. So if you're JCL refers to the current gen, it gets the youngest. There is not an IBM way to process them from oldest to youngest. Now, in a z/OS UNIX paradigm, using DoveTailed Technologies (love those people!), you could do it with their catsearch program. Similar to: Found an very elementary ALC program to do it and cleaned it and added some ways to understand what was happening along with making it cleaner. Plus I generate IDCAMS DELETE records that can be passed to a later step to get rid of the GDG files processed. We use it here when we can have a number of inbound data transmissions and the application needs to process the collection at night. We collect all the GDGs, put them into a backup GDG, and then process the file. If people are interested, let me know. thanks jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: zFS, etc, and z/OS V1R11
With OA29619, which became available a couple of weeks ago, you can control this function on an individual file system basis. http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg1OA29619 Hey, Good Show. It is great to learn the IBM'er giving the zFS presentation took great notes about our concerns of the movement of zFS ownership in a Sysplex. SHARE really does work and IBM listened to all the concerns of the crowd attending the session. SHARE works! Thanks Mark for the update. Cool.jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
zFS, etc, and z/OS V1R11
Been seeing many comments about migrating from HFS to zFS and one comment had the statement of the performance boost (heard it at SHARE) coming in z/OS V1R11. Indeed this is true for where one will see it (too lengthy to explain here). Yes, there were many zFS sessions I attended at the last SHARE but one was memorable. An new feature is being added in z/OS V1R11 where the one system which owns zFS amongst all of the systems may start out on one system you choose but will migrated around to where it thinks it will get the best peformance. We in the room asked the questions, Can this movement be controlled? Answer was NO. Is their a command to move it just in case we have to move it based on non- performance reasons? NO Gee, is there something telling us it is moving or has moved? NO OK, is the something which gives us a hint why it moved? NO, just that you will have to trust us to do what is in your best interest To move if off an LPAR which has it, how do we do it? IPL and it will move So do we specify where it will move? No Hey, might it move back to where it was after the IPL? If it is deemed by IBM, that is the best place for performance. Soo why would you not want it any other place? Learned there is a parameter which is defaulted to keep it working like it does today but once you select the NEW zFS Super-dupper Performance Option, then you get the GOOD, BAD, and UGLY plus a bunch of unknowns. The IBM Speaker was mystified why we were wanting any kind of control just in case it moved someplace it might not want to be based upon our (and not IBM's) desire(s). In his defense he was taking a lot of notes and maybe our suggestions will show up someplace in the future. But in the end he was still mystified why anyone would want any control over IBM doing this to get really better performance. Gee, seems like I heard that kind of thought back in the 20th Century.jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Repro Variable blocked records
I am reproing a VB qsam file to Variable KSDS When I look the VB qsam in ISPF there are 50 trailing blanks at the end of the record However after the repro The 50 trailing blanks get trucated Had the same problem debugging some VB data and learned ISPF lies to you and makes you think there are trailing blanks (even turned HEX ON). Thanks to Greg Price and REVIEW (a tool everyone should have installed - FREE) it showed me the real story. Interesting. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: IEBCOPY losing APF authorisation in middle of JOB - etc
IEBCOPY does not need APF authorization for every operation. Is step 8 doing something different from all the other steps? Something that might need APF auth.? Not convinced this a true statment. Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s with MVS, it was wired it into homegrown TSO commands and worked well. Then with some new release it became authorized. I had Bill Godfrey (TSSO fame and TSO GURU) under Contract working for the Air Force in the Pentagon and he heard our moans. Bill headed off into the load module and determined IBM was doing a GETMAIN for some very small number of bytes (4 I think) from a Subpool which needed you to be authorized. No one ever determined why they decided to do it. So the fix for our TSO commands was to go back into a SVS system and get its IEBCOPY which did not need authorization and called it XEBCOPY for use with the TSO commands. We ran that for years and may even still be around. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: QUIKCELL Doc
That would be it. It was originally called QuickCell in the first release of MVS and consisted of the macros BLDCPOOL, GETCELL, FREECELL and DELCPOOL and the underlying quickcell services. Somewhere along the line, it wound up with a single macro interface, CPOOL. How much the internals of the service may have changed, I can't say, but it still provides the same service, which is a fast method of creating and managing a pool of storage cells of the same size. And even before then it was a MOD to OS/MVT which I applied in the late 1970s to an IBM 360-75J which predefined a number of cell pools to be used for stuff. Thus it avoided having to do a GETMAIN for a small chunk of storage. After I applied it, I did my standard Benchmark and it gave me 15- 18% boost in CPU power. Do not remember if it came out from IBM or some Prehsitoric HACKER. Anyway, IBM made it standard equipment in MVS along with many of the MODS and zaps people dreamed up for MVT. With this mod and other modifications I could outrun an IBM 370-158. OK, so it took a bit more space, power, and A/C. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Connect:Direct File Agent PROBLEM!!!
Has anyone encountered or is working with Sterling Commerce on a Connect:Direct File Agent problem. Connect:Direct receives a file and the receiving directory is given to File Agent to monitor. When the file arrives, File Agent is supposed to trigger a process to send the file elsewhere. We act as a HUB for data and distribute it all over the Enterprise. It seems File Agent is either asleep or ignoring his/her duties. Sterling has not come across with an explanation. If anyone can chat contact me offlist.thanks jim.marsh...@opm.gov -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: How many mainframes are there?
I just wanted to know how exclusive a club am I in. Then of course I have to decide if I want to belong to a club that would have me a member. Hoping it doesn't get to that. Never looked at IBM Mainframes as a club. Long ago the kind of people who were attracted to Mainframes were ones enjoyed puzzles, worked hard, played even harder and over time made order from Chaos. Our Windows and Network Brethren are still in the Chaos stage. But have to admit, Windows is finally getting some order (so they say); like being upward compatible. Most of the really good SYSPROGs have this independent trait and make magic happen no matter what. If you want to consider this a club, then no one admits you. One just tags along, learns from others mistakes and contributes if you have something to say. Learning from others experiences has been one of the most career advancing things to come from the CLUB. Things like this talk-list have made it easier and actually more distant. Back in the 20th Century if one had a problem you called up someone in the club who may or may not be able to help. But then the word spread and actually rather quickly. Many times in trying times a phone call came with nuggets of info from someone I never have heard was in the club. Then there was SHARE where you would show up at SKIDS (Cocktail party, free booze for 4K+ SYSPROGs) and if you asked a question, someone would find you and you bought them a free drink. So if you want to stay, COOL. My suggestion is to join many clubs besides a heads down SYSPROG. Branch out into other areas like maybe the financials of computing where we play quite well, Join the Linux Penguins and ever the VM'ers. Yep the VM'ers got more organized with z/VM and are quite nice people. Join the Windows Club. Does not hurt to know them for they will probably never know you. But that is OK for it will show them you are coming around in their eyes. Maybe you will stick around or not. It is definitely your choice and either way, have fun. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Teach z/OS JCL Using Herclues
Bill Smith (ex-IBM'er) asked me a question and I told him I would post it on IBM-Main. Bill worked for IBM for many, many years and took off in a lateral direction getting a Masters in Education and was recently teaching JCL to 20+ French speaking (a bit of English too) trainees. Bill is curious if anyone has developed a course around using Hercules as the platform which I would imagine would be running MVS 3.8 versus some bandit version of z/OS. Let me know either on or off list and will relay it to Bill. Oh yes, he may be back on IBM-Main in the near future starting a full time job for some insurance company out in California dreaming land. thanks jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Encryption software?
This topic is getting bounced around here and on the RACF-L as well, yet responses are scarce and sporadic. We in the hinterlands are looking for experiences with any of the major encrypting products to help in selecting one, without being hounded by vendors. Our site has mentioned TKLM and it looks like a nightmare, plus it doesn't cover all our media. We have FDR, so FDRCRYPT is a possibility. We have CA products, OpenTech products, and MegaCryption looks interesting. Bottom line...many of us are soliciting opinions from those who have run that gauntlet already. Would have responded sooner except was out at SHARE in Seattle. A very, very, very beneficial trip. It was great. A consideration might be to ask if any product meets US Gov't FIPS 140-2 requirement. There was a strategic decision made by the FDR folks, not to pursue it back when. Back a few years ago I had a discussion with them about the need for it. What happened was they partnered with the MegaCryption folks to offer their product for encryption in the places where it was mandated. IBM stresses the use of the TS encrypting cartridge drives for their offering. Sure this is good but encryption is needed for more than dumps. My contention is every file one sends out for Data Exchanges should be encrypted just in case their is PII (Personally Identifiable Information - used to be Privacy Data). OK, that means who gets your encrypted file needs to have your encryption product to decrypted. IBM markets the software IBM Encryption Facility (EF) which has its own format but also it supports OpenPGP along with GPG as we learned. They also have a free JAVA Client to give out in case the exchange partner does not have OpenPGP or GPG. It is my understanding MegaCryption also has the same kind of offering. Thus even if you have them snazzy encrypting cartridge drives it does not lessen the need for some file encryption software. Just as some food for thought. Say today you FTP a file from your z10 z/OS to a Windows platform. Hey it arrives in ASCII ready to process. OK, encrypt your EBCIDIC file and send it to them as BINARY file, they decrypt the file and look at the data as hosed. In their world, so what is a Codepage Been doing it now for 4+ years and there are other subtle challenges and obstacles. It is not as simple as it looks as my technical team found out the hard way. If anyone wants to carry on a dialog offline, contact me. Setting up Data Exchanges where all are sent encrypted and received encrypted have many implications; like key management, platform types, codepages, data exchange hubs, etc. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: FDR/UPSTREAM for Open Systems on zOS
On Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:18:22 -0800, bob molerio mole...@yahoo.com wrote: Is anyone using this to backup open systems clients? Looked at all the products a number of years ago and chose IBM TSM for z/OS because of various reasons. But my choice may have been abad one now IBM has decided to not support the TSM Server on z/OS any more. The advantages of z/OS are many for us especially as far as DR goes. My second choice was FDR's product though. Back then a number of things bothered me about their implementation. 1. The pricing was on the amount of data to be stored. This causes one in the government to have to over buy to make sure you do not suddenly run out. 2. The storage of files on tapes had to be really thought though because of mixed expiration of data. The tape had to be kept around until the last bit of data on the tape expired. There was no way to take 2 or more tapes and pull all the non-expired data off to make one new one. This presented a challenge. 3. On had to keep track of what was on what tape in the case of what was current. It was not going to as straight forward as the model TSM has which is very much akin to HSM for Open Systems. I have told IBM people who are running TSM for z/OS are not going to suddenly switch it over and host TSM on Windows, etc, because of the various operational issues, etc and also losing the notion of leveraging existing ATLs, VTS's, Automated Operations, skill sets, Automated Scheduling, etc. But they contend that they can get DB2 to perform very well on z/OS to handle the TSM database therefore it should not be hosted any more on z/OS. I will be taking a 2nd look at FDR/Upstream to learn if it is any easier to keep track of files on all those tapes and also about pricing models. Oh yes, am told TSM for z/OS will be around stabilized at V5 and supported until around 2013. So folks should be making other plans long before they pull the plug. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
SHAREWARE at Its Finest
in Washington are not responsive to your needs, well, back when we felt your pain and did something about it having great fun along the way. Jim Marshall P.S. Getting the first of a new generation of IBM computer, the IBM 3032, made us a showplace besides being in the Pentagon. But 6 months later IBM shipped the first IBM 3033 to Singer up in New Jersey, we were obsolete and never got the IBM 3032-AP/MP we hoped would come. -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
TS7700 Backups
Just started a good look at something like the IBM TS7700 and sure enough the Chief comes by with a broad question. Are any people using the TS7700 to backup data from our Brethren over on the Windows or RedHat Linux side of things and then taking those dumps offsite. Let me know if indeed this is meant to be in the cards. In the meantime I need to go start reading on the TS7700 and such things. thanks jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: CICS IP printer
hi , is there anyone knows a good and non-expensive way to define cics an IP printer. You say an IP Printer. This would imply you have some product which can print from the JES2 Spool to the IP printer (maybe). If you do, then the trick is to get the CICS print onto the JES2 Spool. You can look at a number of products LRS's DRS, MacKinney has one too, etc, which is a started task which went the CICS application issues a VTAM ACQUIRE, it responds just like a printer, CICS App writes to the printer and the product talks like a printer putting the output onto the spool with some DEST= value. Another alternative would be to define the IP printer to your PC as one of the printers available to it. Then you would define your IP address in the TN3270 Telnet Server with a printer session. So now when you sign onto CICS with some 3270 emulator, you will have a terminal and printer session. Now in CICS you need to update it with an appropriately defined terminal and printer. If it all matches, you are running something like Attachmate, HOD, PCOM, BlueZone, etc on the PC the print comes back to your PC and off it goes to Windows Print Services and then off to the IP printer in your network. There are many ways to couch this capability and just depends on what you already have. If you have nothing then, I would like at the MacKinney products and it may become clear how it could be engineered. If you want to chat offlist, let me know. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Preview: z/OS V1.12 - September 2010
Off-topic but still... Its been years but I do not recall SDSF ever being remotely like Q. I tried it out long long ago and did not like it at all.(Q that is) When I first tried SDSF out it worked exactly like I thought a product should work and the PFK keys were standard ISPF type . We were pushed into looking at Q by a user and we couldn't get it out of the house fast enough. I suppose it was OK in some sort of wierd way but there was no way I was going to give it out to the general users. For all of its faults QUEUE was on the JES2 Mods tape back in the MVS days and even if you did not like it, Q had a very interesting capability. Maybe even today in small shops JES2 testing meant bringing up a Secondary JES2 and submitting work to it. The challenge was to print the output to see what happened. The Checkpoint file was hardcoded in Q and so from TSO one could view the output on the Secondary JES2's Spool. Hey, what'a deal and FREE. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Replacing IBM 3745
In z/OS environment, is there anyone has the experience of connecting Remote 3174 to Cisco router to support CICS printing? There has been a number of suggestions but going back to basics if indeed you are using an IBM 3174, you have 3270 type dumb tubes and maybe old IBM 3287 printers. Up until last year I was supporting a whole bunch of these used remotely for heads down data entry. Mine was supported through some old CNT Channel Extension and the CNT was obsolete, out of service and no parts. One alternative was to get a VISARA 3174 TCP/IP connected controller for a small amount of money (seem to remember a few thousand) and I could connect my coax things to it and it was just another network connection. We had a Store Room full of old tubes and if one broke it was just thrown away. Luckily the customer converted the data entry application to a Web App so the applicant could enter all the info versus completing paper forms; the need for all that STUFF went away. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
WEB Print Server Shopping
We are big into TN3270 Telnet Associated Printing here and are getting to the point where thousands of users will be added who need to get output off the IBM JES2 Spool. Naturally the applications are not willing to modify anything as to where they might put this output except the Warm and Fuzzy JES2 Spool. Has anyone implemented any kind of Web Print Server where 1. accessible using just a Web Browser 2. sucks the print off the Jes2 Spool 3. runs entirely on z/OS or maybe z/OS Linux; makes it easier to stay with our Disaster Recovery. 4. gives the user the output printed on them PC printers exactly like it would have printed, text wise, on a JES2 Printer. Maybe converts it into a PDF for viewing and later printing 5. Uses RACF Security for sign-on 6. Has the ability to requeue back to the JES2 Spool to print someplace else on remote printers. I think this is enough for someone to recognize if they are running something close. Let me know either on list or offlist if needed. thanks jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: hfs VS zfs
Hello all, we are planning to migrate from z/os 1.7 to 1.11. In our planning we are trying to decide if we want to go to zfs instead of the hfs. Is there anyone out there that can think of any good reasons not to go to zfs when we do our upgrade? The suggestion about waiting until you get to 1.11 is stellar and decrease the complexity by some factor. In general I attended SHARE a few years ago when going to zFS was the Hot Topic. We had converted totally over to zFS. Seems to me IBM said the future was zFS and HFS was being phased out. Kinda stopped looking for the drop- dead date after that. Maybe the direction has changed to keep both around. In general at the time, the hot topic was having many, many, many, many, etc, objects in one zFS directory and the lookup to find the member ATE your CPU alive in a Parallel Sysplex. IBM promised they were looking into improving that performance. Until it was redesigned it was Don'ta do it or if it hurts to touch it, do not touch it. Hopefully that problem has been addressed. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
IBM 9393 RVAs Obsolete for Sure
Been running a pair of IBM 9393 RVA Storage Subsystems since the late 1990s and they have been great; RAID-6, paid for, depreciated to $0 (not really, we are the US Gov't), and they work. We use them for testing, systems builds, etc, and nothing critical. It was getting a bit pricey to have them on a maintenance contract though. Called up for maintenance last week to get something minor fixed and IBM in the call, oh yes by the way, they will no longer fix the RVAs after Jan 1, 2010. Has anyone come across alternatives for maintenance. thanks jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Monitor lpr printer on Windows from Mainframe
We use VPS to route print from the mainframe to the windows server and when the server goes down for maintenance etc, the vps printer goes into an error status cause it can't communicate with the printer. I can't rely on the network folks to communicate what they are doing to me so I really need this to be automated. VPS indeed has an EXIT08 which can redrive the request for connection at some interval. In the VPS LPR/LPD you just code say TCPMRD=15 (min) and the printer will indeed timeout. Without coding it then the printer will never timeout. This is because VPS makes the initial request and waits for a response. Eventually the printer may become available but, unlike SNA where the 3X74 controller would notify VPS, nothing is sent to VPS saying it is now available. I always code some timeout. True if the whole thing is not available again, then you go into a loop and eventually (we hope), the printer becomes available. In VPS 1.8 EXIT08 was implemented in exit code. Oh yes, the exit code needs to be told the TCP/IP error code so it knows to retry this type of error. But in VPS 2.0, the strategy is available in parameters although I have not examined them yet to see how easy it is. Hey this is what one doing printing suffers from in the IP world of printing. As a side bar, if indeed the printer is set for 15 minutes timeout and there is very long print actually printing, since the response does not come to the very end, then even though it is printing, the printer will TIMEOUT and when it restarts, it starts over (thank you LPD protocol). I try to stay away from large printouts and LPR/LPD protocol unless there is no other way. This is why we always TRY to use SOCKET printing, with timeout coded too, but doing checkpointing just like JES2 does (JES3 too). Send me an e-mail offlist and be glad to send you the one I have run for almost 20 years as a guide. I threw in all kinds of extra IP error codes as I tripped over them. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
z/OS ServerPac Product Prerequisite
Tripped over another no charge product needed to order a z/OS ServerPac. Bob Richards, on staff, stumbled over this one which everyone should check if you have the no charge license. [5655-S28] z/OS Management Facility 1.11.00 English (US) The above needs to be licensed. It is a $0 charge, but needs to be licensed. Verify with IBM the $0 though. Good luck jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
z/OS ServerPac and Tivoli Products - Surprise
We tried to order a z/OS V1R11 z/OS ServerPac and have some Tivoli products. Seems it was rejected because we do not have license for Tivoli Management Services on zOS, 5698-A79. Seems Tivoli has been causing us all grief because installation of products would cause FMIDs of other Tivoli products to be deleted and upgraded (before the other product could support it). A few weeks ago Tivoli came out with 5698-A79, as it was explained by the ShopZ folks to take all the common code out of all the Tivoli products and create, yes, Tivoli Mgmt Services, 5698- A79. Along with this change I am ShopZ can get you a Tivoli only ServerPac; COOL. So if you have ANY Tivoli products, go prod your IBM person to get you licensed for 5698-A79 (nocharge). In the meantime our issue brought to light a problem with IBM Tivoli Tape Optimzer. It has a PRE-REQ of DFSMS or z/OS in a Tivoli only ServerPac, they would have to give us z/OS TOO. Kinda defeats the idea of a Tivoli only ServerPac. Maybe there are other products which Tivoli will stumble over. In the meantime go get your NoCharge License added before you are told you do not have it. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
ADABAS On Other Platforms
I am hearing from my ADABAS DBA that ADABAS can run on other platforms such as UNIX and Windows (anyone know if it is true for zLinux). Anyway would like to get an idea of people who are actually doing it today and our agency would like to chat, if possible, about your experience. it is running on a z9BC-O02 (253MIPS). A major Line-of-Business wants to be off of it in 2012 and the other customer may need to hang on for a number of years or maybe stay with it. They seem to believe it serves them well. So this is not to convert the code to run on something else but just finding a cheaper way of still using ADABAS and Natural. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
SoftwareAG Natural DB2
Today we run ADABAS with Natural and a number of their other products. I understand SoftwareAG has a way to keep your Natural programs the same, put the data into DB2 and IPSO-FACTO, no recoding is required of the Natural code. Has anyone tried this approach. Like to chat with someone to learn the costs you incurred, challenges addressed, and in general your approach. Have a major Line-of-Business getting off of ADABAS in 2012 (they say) and the other Line-of-Business is looking to fund the entire cost. Jim Marshall, Software Engineer Washington DC 20415 -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: IEFSD095 Alias
On Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:04:00 +0100, Andrew Metcalfe andrew.metca...@barclays.com wrote: I guess that goes some way to explain it. I don't have the alias on z/OS 1.8. We have just migrated to z/OS 1.10 and I have a user getting errors calling IEFSD095. IEFSD095 is (and always has been) an alias of an in-house written block character routine (that pre-dates me). Obviously they are now finding the new alias shipped with z/OS 1.0 rather than our in-house routine which is further down the linklist. Just for the sake of history, IEFSD095 was around back in MVT days and is the IBM Block Letter CSECT of data which was used for banner pages. Eastern Airlines did a whole bunch of mods to MVT (hey, in source form) and created EALSD095 which contained the data for special characters. In general this module would not get called, but one would issue a LOAD instruction to get the module available to use its data. This CSECT sometimes replaced the IBM IEFSD095 as a user mod. The program you mention being used may have its roots in some code I put onto the SHARE tape and later is now in the CBT tape to put block letter pages on output which was handy when using microfiche. You can review these in CBT file 316 if my memory serves me. Many of the programs started in the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and came my way in the Pentagon via the Goddard MODS tape and then we used them as a basis for doing other things with EALSD095. And our younger brethren believe Open Source code is only a recent discovery. Jim Marshall -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Looking for a job
I am currently looking for a full time Mainframe System Programmer job in New York/New jersey, San Jose, Dallas area. I am open to other locations. I have about 10+ years of experience in Mainframes. My current shop has started to migrate off the mainframe platform and its getting depressing working in that environment. Here is some food-for-thought. Why be depressed and probably it shows. I would view this as a tremendous opportunity to see a conversion in action. I would even support it fully and help them with all the challenges. Indeed if all the challenges can be overcome, then it can be contended, the move was indeed a good one. No one likes a non-team player. One does not have to agree with the strategy to play and give it your best. Face reality, this is going to happen and if one learns of all their challenges, then you will be much wiser in the long run. Here a few year ago, the move was to outsource a major application to private industry. My reaction was COOL, let me help really. Then I would ensure everyone knew all the services we were providing and they were expected to provide these too. A z9BC upgrade was denied (machine power will decrease 75% in 14 months) until I showed them I could detune the machine and drop our costs in 14 months. I asked the customer to go with me to the CFO and break the news that in 14 months the CFO could have all these savings and could program the savings elsewhere. The customer balked and my question was, so in 14 months you will not be off the mainframe?. They were not THAT certain and would not head up so they let me upgrade if I just laid low for 14 months. In the end it all fell apart and it is time for another UPgrade. Yes, you can look around for a new job but take all the advantages of what you can learn now about what is the plan, cost of the plan, time frame projected and sit in on the progress. Then sit back and watch the trials and tribulations. I'd get close to the major customer and be supportive as heck as to the rationale for this, maybe reduce cost, and then you too might be incredulous at the notion it is more expensive. In the military I always supported my senior officers crazy ideas or not and in the end, learned a bunch about how things can be done and how one does not want to do things; but I was a supporter of the Colonel even if it lead to him/her being fired. Then in the end, I knew where all the bodies were buried and could pick up all the pieces. In the present world to think z/OS is the only systems places will run is not going to happen. Here I have the data on z/OS and applications running on Windows Servers (COOL). Maybe they want to run the application on z/OS and data on Windows (COOL) although I ask to tell me how they are going to do Disaster Recovery for the data??? If they want to have a 4-Core Intel Blade to do something, GO-FOR-IT although maybe I could supply a Virtual Linux Server for $0 because I already have the one license I need. Getting side tracked away from z/OS for a few years is not something where you will be left way behind. z/OS is still MVS souped up and in many case easier (just more of it). So opportunity is KNOCKING and make the most of it until you find the right job and leave with everyone being sad you are departing. The next place may give you the chance to integrate Windows or Linux into your z/OS operation and you are already 2 miles ahead of the z/OS staff who want to stay in their own little world. Make the best and get the most out of what you are dealt; it pays off in the long haul. Jim (WashDC's Cranky Old Guy) -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: cpu upgrade
On Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:23:05 +, Ted MacNEIL eamacn...@yahoo.ca wrote: CBU is for events which are one step below a Declared Disaster but has only taken out one of the IBM 2096's. That's a pretty restrictive definition for CBU. It can/has been used for declared disasters, as well. That's what we used it for in a two-site GDPS. The back-up site had up to 5 additional engines, under CBU, in case of a disaster at the second site. And, this config was set up on z/900's over 6 years ago. - In my case it is indeed very restrictive and VERY CHEAP. CBU is not used at the DR site because at the DR site (3rd party provider), I get an equivalent of the MIPS (MSUs) which I am running at my local site. So indeed I am restricted to what is considered a non-DR event at the local site. A DR event locally is one where both of the z9BC's or something like all my DASD blowup, hey a flood in the basement, etc. In general if one z9BC smokes bigtime and it can not be replaced within a reasonable amount of time, then I can invoke CBU on the other z9BC to bring one from an IBM 2096-O02 to z02 or IBM 2096- T03 to a z03 and all for less than $6K per year if my memory serves me. If one can afford GDPS and your own second site, then am sure one can afford to pay a few dollars more to invoke CBU at a DR site. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: cpu upgrade
Nowadays, if you upgrade the cpu capacity, by having ibm just apply the feature code to the box, does this take effect immediately on all the lpars, or must each lpar be ipl'd to pick up the new capacity? When I bought a IBM 2096-Q03 (z9BC) my customer changed their mind and decided it should be an IBM 2096-T03. So we implemented it with 3 CPs and ran as an IBM 2096-Q03 for a few days until the procurement action completed for the T03 upgrade. What arrived was some secret code which we entered into the processor console and magically it energized itself to an IBM 2096-T03. Thus the engine power was divided equally amongst the 3 CPs (going from a Q03 to T03). Nothing changed as far as the CPU ID, etc. Non of the 3rd party products needed to be told because we still had 3 CPs running because the CPUID did not change and the number of CPs did not change (for those products which are CP number sensitive). Any changes which needed to be accomplished were strictly contractual licensing changes to account for more power. Indeed if you want to turn the power on by adding an physcial engine to LPAR, then some changes would be required to LPARs, etc. By simply turning on engine power, it does mean one has to purchase another hardware CP to do it (unless I was already sitting at a Z03 and needed more juice). The increasing in processing power is the same thing which happens for Capacity BackUp (CBU) where I can jump the IBM 2096-T03 all the way up to an IBM 2096-Z03 for a few weeks in case my other IBM 2096 smokes and burns and I need to run all the work on one IBM 2096 for some period of time while the other one being replaced. Keep in mind CBU is not Capacity On Demand (COD) and also does not kick in when there are are just maintenance outages. CBU is for events which are one step below a Declared Disaster but has only taken out one of the IBM 2096's. Oh yes, also have it so the IBM 2096-O02 can jump to an IBM 2096-Z02 in the event I have to go the other way. As a note, this is a very inexpensive Insurance Policy just in case. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Alternatives to TSM for Linux under Z/os DR?
Since TSM has been stabilized by IBM, we are looking for alternatives to Backup and DR solutions for our Linux environment. We currently run FDR full volume backups during low use periods but that results in 'fuzzy' backups unless the Linux server is down at the time of backup. Last week I was invited as a guest speaker to the IBM TopGun School and arrived early. I sat in on a presentation talking about all the great things which is going to be available for TSM for z/OS Version 6. Presently I run TSM V5 and have seen things about the death of TSM for z/OS with the excuse they could not get z/OS-DB2 to perform very well and gave up trying. I challenged the speaker with the above info and there seems to be some question within IBM as to what is the status of TSM for z/OS V6. I too had read the comment about IBM admiting the decision would really upset many users of the product. I sent the speaker off into TSM land to find out if indeed I too will have to look elsewhere outside of IBM for a TSM like product. Stay tuned TSM fans and hopefully IBM is rethinking a questionable choice. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: mainframe e-mail with attachments
What I'm looking for is an e-mail package running on z/OS that will allow me to attach files to e-mails for sending out. I found many hits on XMITIP but really nothing else. What all is out there that will allow me to do this? At this point it is a research project to present to mgmt. Give JES2Mail, JES2FTP, Mail2ZOS, CICS2PDF solutions CASI Software http://www.casisoft.com/ a look. You might find interesting solutions to problems you already have. Reasonably priced and good support. Also are very open to new uses and ideas. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Ron Ferguson's VSAM Book
Looked in my archives and came up with Virtual Sequential Access Method The Complete Source Book for VSAM File Structures By Ronald Ferguson Seventh Printing 1992 no code assigned as is done today Ron used to give these to anyone who took his VSAM training when he ran SIS (Software Information Services). Many times at SHARE when he was presently the Mainstar (SIS Follow on firm) booth would have some. You may want to check with Mainstar if they are available. Much of the content is in the VSAM Manager software product manual. Jim Marshall -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: VSAM Performance Options - Food for Thought
On Thu, 1 Oct 2009 11:23:41 -0500, Ward, Mike S mw...@ssfcu.org wrote: Is this product you speak of still available? Yes, after some searching around the Mainstar (Rocket Software) site for VSAM MANAGER, it appears to be a separate product. It is also packaged in their CR+ (Catalog Recovery) product because back in the 1990s I saw that I could improve ICF Catalog (a VSAM file) if I analyzed with VSAM Manager. I strongly suggested to Ron that if indeed CR+ was supposed to be an analysis and fixit product for catalogs, then performance of a working catalog was just as important as non-performance of a broken catalog. He probably heard this from other people besides the Old guy in WashDC. Eventually the functions of VSAM Manager were folded into the CR+ product. I seem to remember Ron published a book on VSAM which was quite good and written for the novice. Again the collective wisdom of the book is in the product although one could take the book, follow the steps and do the analysis manually. Jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
VSAM Performance Options - Food for Thought
I do not object at all to the buffering products which are used to compensate for VSAM applications where the programmers know nothing about VSAM and allocate them with no consideration to performance. As an aside, I have also found Systems Programmers have little clue about VSAM files and blindly follow IBM recommendations when they install system level software which needs VSAM files. A running product which dynamically adjusts the buffers will forgive many sins. I’d like to offer some other alternatives. One is to train staff in the use of VSAM and what are good VSAM files and what are not so good ones. Besides performance considerations, there are space allocations which can be outrageous because of inefficient CI and CA sizes BUT they still work for the application. I can hear the moans and groans already from all over the world saying something like, “Ya, Jim, you are an old guy who lived through all this but we have more important things to do getting all this Web stuff working on the mainframes, etc”. This was the same argument I used back in the 20th Century getting all the things updated from MVT to MVS to XA to ESA to OS390. Usually I do not tell stories but this one will make a point. In 1975 I was in the Air Force in Colorado and got grabbed to come to the Pentagon to be trained as a MVT Sysprog. The person I replaced was Sgt Ron Ferguson who decided to exit after 4 years to make big bucks as a Contractor eventually working for Boeing Computer Services. Ron got in on the ground floor of VSAM and stayed in it for his whole career. A number of you folks may have heard of Ron who became the almost world’s expert in VSAM. He was consulting, teaching all over and eventually founded his own firm SIS which later became Mainstar and then he sold out to Rocket Software. Along the way Ron was asked to clone himself because the demand for VSAM consulting and classes taught was greater than Ron could handle. In the late 1980s, Artificial Intelligence was the rage. In 1991-2000 after retiring from the Air Force I was working at Treasury with a big “paying” customer using VSAM and it was my wife. She’d come home and complain about her VSAM performance or maybe just how could she get her batch jobs to run faster. I am not plugging this product but I would have loved to have thought of it. Mainstar offered a software product called VSAM Manager. It was the collective Artificial Intelligence of Ron built into a product which would read the VSAM file structure and give you recommendations about CISIZE, CASIZE, buffers, splits, etc. It also would show you were the splits occurring to give you a better idea of what was happening inside the file. My wife could invoke this simple utility, take the recommendations, REORG the files, and instantly she saved bunches of space and her jobs screamed (I/O’s were reduced and elapsed times were really reduced). I had one happy customer and peace at home. I also found out veteran Sysprogs had system stuff using VSAM files which were eating our lunch. Ron’s product convinced even the most skeptical Sysprog how things could be improved and there was no need to guess and hope it helped. So it depends on what someone wants to improve. I needed to get performance gains and also reduce DASD space. Even folks who thought they knew VSAM were amazed at the critique and recommendations from Ron’s Wisdom. People can try a number of ways to solve the VSAM issue in any shop. I know the way I would go if I had to do it all over again. Oh yes, as I said Ron sold Mainstar and I understand retired in the Seattle area and bought his very own Tug Boat to do things like chugging to Alaska. Jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: SRDF/A, DB2
We will soon be installing an EMC V-Max and SRDF/A in an DB2 environment running on an Z/OS LPAR(s). Can anyone share what their best practices are or Point me to where I can find any Documentation on this subject? Thanks in advance! You did not say if you were doing SRDF/A prior to the DB2 so just a few general words which you may already know. In general doing SRDF/A and with any database system, defining Consistency Groups is critical to keep all parts of the database in one logical piece. EMC has the documentation which may not exactly spell things out in those terms but is a good place to start. If you can be more specific, then it would help. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Q:Writing data via CNT-USD to tape device
Hi, Anyone has ever writting data from CPU to remote tape device(virtual or physical) via CNT-USD by single FICON channel? I want to know your throughput compared to local writing. Appreciate your feedback. The answer is very, very dependent on the speed of the communication line (s) out to the remote location along with the distance involved. We used to do two ESCON channels over 2 T-1 circuits and less than 500 miles. In this case CNT is no longer CNT or McData or Inrange. CNT is now Brocade and they can give you good estimates in a model they run. Again it all depends more on your circuit speeds (suggest two for redundancy) than it does being FICON. FICON is great to have on the inboard side of the transmission and on the backend once the data gets off of the COM circuit. As I said, Brocade will be able to explain all the details of what you can configure and how it is expected to perform. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Who has z/Linux, z/VM and Oracle
My management has asked me to see if anyone is using this configuration, Oracle running under z/Linux with z/VM. If so, would you be willing to talk to me offlist about it? z/VM 5.3 5.3 SuSe Linux1-IFL Oracle Database on Linux, Application Server on Windows someplace (hey the data gets mirrored as part of the z/OS z/VM system and we leave it to the Windows folks to recover the application. Rationale is the data is ever changing and the it makes it easier to recover the app on windows.) Oracle Database on Linux and Application Server on Linux. This app may have been shut down recently although it worked all very well. We also run IBM Websphere Application Server which they can choose to use with Oracle. FYI we do WAS DB2 besides Oracle. Will send you my collection of comments, questions, etc, collected over the last 4+ years running things. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
SoftwareAG Cluster Services
Been planning to implement SoftwareAG's Cluster Services for ADABAS on an IBM 2096-O02 and IBM 2096-T03 in a z/OS Parallel Sysplex. It has been moving along until the person responsible for ADABAS (works in another area) says implementing it will kill performance and besides, what is worse, is to run it in a Parallel Sysplex using the ICF for communication between the two z9BCs is bad news; claims SoftwareAG told him this yarn. Is there anyone running it in a z/OS Parallel Sysplex and what kind of impacts did you see when it was implemented. thanks jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: VTAM security issue
I believe Jim Marshall is just trying to dismiss a fact inconvenient for the product he is promoting? FUD! See previous comments from the Chris Mason I will spare all who have been reading all the history of this on IBMMAIN about my strong recommendation for those running SNA networks to strongly consider the need for a SNA Firewall. Native SNA with VTAM no matter how it is configured in the eyes of even those who do it well, does not meet US Government security mandates. There are all too few people who even understand VTAM any more to make a good attempt at it. Hopefully those who are skeptical will do independent research, consult with really smart people in the know and make a decision as to whether it is wise move to bullet proof your SNA network. I made my replies back in January 2009 in IBM items 97253 and 97522. No one has contacted me further for specific information (which I remember - am a very old guy and maybe it slipped by me). My intention was to alert people to the 1+ years of investigation, skepticism, and proof others were accessing my SNA network and not having a clue how it could be happening. The interconnection of SNA networks to a trading partner also means you very, very likely connected to their interconnections, etc. I do not have the time and expertise to take up a skeptical world to prove this is true. That is why I have sought out very smart people who specialize in areas. Google can be a great starter using SNA FIREWALL APPN and one should never take the word of someone on IBMMAIN without doing their homework. I do very much agree with agree I am indeed spreading FUD, as stated in January. Oh yes, most people on IBMMAIN take great pains not to promote products and to inspire our younger brethren to do their own research. F - Fear and indeed there is, AND STILL SHOULD BE IN THE FUTURE U - Uncertainty no more D - Doubt is doubt no more ALTHOUGH WILL LINGER WITH MANY forever Your mileage may vary.jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Mainframe hacking
Does anyone here recall any published news articles or incidents involving mainframe hacking (any flavor of VM, VSE or MVS)? Do you personally know of any incidents? Or have any such been kept on the QT? Have been away for 3 weeks with only BB access. You should look on the web site of Net-Q software www.net-q.com who makes a SNA Firewall. They document a number of ways mainframes which are running VTAM with SNA have been hacked because of how VTAM works. I know we install a nocharge VTAM SME exit a number of years ago which revealed all the Cross Domain traffic entering our system and looking around. It was enlightening for we thought we had all the bases covered by defining each CDRSC, CDRM, etc. Once we installed the SNA Firewall, we got down to the BIND level and could secure our systems. Besides even for those coming in legally, we could see their VTAM tuning (NOT) parameters and make recommendations to them to improve performance immensely. A very interesting and profitable exercise. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: TSO session manager buffer size
Back in the 1970s/80s/90s I enjoyed the heck out of TSO, etc. Never had any time to explore Session Manager and I did not have guilt because IBM's Bill Smith was the Master. It was not his job but something about how it was put together and worked, excited the heck out of Bill. You need to track down Bill and believe he still works for IBM, on the west coast, and am sure he would tell you more about Session Manager than you ever wanted to know. Am sure others on the list may have some ways to direct you on how to contact Bill. Saw him at one of the last two SHARE conferences and he was still having fun working for IBM. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Anyone have a sample MVS security policies and proceedures you can share?
Sorry, being lazy again. Anyone have a sample MVS security policies and proceedures you can share? We have never had one, and suddenly management things it is important. Links to general examplates would be fine too. Thanks. If you follow this lead you will be a very busy person indeed. The US Gov't, csrc.nist.gov has published their document SP 800-53 (amonst other things too) which has all kind of questions to answer about how management views their computer systems. Then based on the ratings of Low, Medium, or High it outlines what security measures you need to have in place. They also describe what is Low, Medium, High although most managers will profess they are really, really important so it has to be HIGH. You take all these requirements and implement them according to the way RACF/ACF2/TopSecret permits you too. There are other MVS stuff which play well in an audit; like Health Checker. So this is not just restricted to z/OS, z/VM, Windows, etc. There are things like physical, entry, etc, security. US's Uncle Sam is real big into FISMA, Federal Information Security Management Act. With all the things it requires, you will off and running to be kept busy for the next few years. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: ERASEDATA - DASD disposal
I am in the process of retiring 3 RAMAC 2 racks, each with a 3990 mod 6 controller, and 1 RAMAC 3 rack, with a 9293 controller. All data has been moved to new DASD. The RAMAC DASD will be surplused so I have to be sure that the data has been wiped clean and nothing is recoverable - w ithout physically damaging the devices.  All of the DASD is 3390-3.  It really depends on your definition of Wiped Clean. No amount of passes will get rid of the data where it could not be recovered. Have to measure the worth of the data if someone really, really wanted to recover it. In general the only way to assure it is unrecoverable is a method the military has used. Cut the each platter up in four pieces, take a scenic flight way out over the ocean and scatter the pieces over many square miles of deep water. Do not know if the technique is still in use today or not. Back when we were transferring the equipment between military organizations, 3 passes was acceptable with the agreement that the last one in line who would junk the equipment had to disassemble the drives and phsyically destroy the media. Enjoy jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: IODF / IOCP graphical presentation?
On Wed, 1 Jul 2009 05:27:53 -0500, Bjarni Hauksson b...@rb.is wrote: I am using IBM Hardware Configuration Manager to day. Mainly to have graphical presentation of the physical IO configuration and labeling management. I believe NewEra Software has a tool they have been trying to get me to look at their IODF Explorer. Have not had time to check it out or learn how much it costs. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Experience with Tape/Assist
Does anyone have any experience with a tape copy utility called Tape/Assist from 21stCenturySoftware. I know of Tivoli Tape Optimizer for z/OS, Innovations FATSCOPY and Opentech's TAPECOPY. These all have varying degrees of expense from reasonable to expensive. The objective is to use the utility to migrate data from a very old IBM VTS to a not too old VTS and then recatalog the files along with updating the RMM entries. Like to understand if anyone has done this with Tape/Assist for the cost is a bit unbelieveable (in the hundreds of dollars versus thousands for the others). Let know either onlist of offlist. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Free software to stack tape datasets?
We are looking to copy data off of 9840A tapes to 9840D tapes. There are a limited number of free slots in our SL8500, so just letting them wither and die is not an option. Neither is boxing them and mounting on demand. Since there are a limited number of datasets to be stacked we need a cost effective solution. Does anyone know of a cheap or better yet free stacking mechanism besides Iebgener? Am in the throws of doing a buy for the same capability utility. My research indicates there are three players. Opentech has a tapecopy, Innovation DP has FATSCOPY, and IBM has Tivoli Tape Optimzer for z/OS. If anyone knows of others, let me know. Each has varying costs involved from quite inexpensive to quite expensive. Contact me offlist for further info. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: SMF LOGGER - Not Ready for Prime Time
We are still at 1.8, but I had intended to use this functionality as soon as we have migrated to 1.10. We are loosing SMF data regularly during shutdown of *one* system at a time, because of all the SMF30 termination records that get written at DB2 and IMS shutdown. We cannot increase the SMF buffers any further and we are at the end of any tuning for the SMF data sets. We are at the point where we stagger the DB2/IMS shutdown in hopes that the dumping of SMF records is through when the next comes. I had wondered how LOGGER would handle offload of a huge amount of SMF data right during shutdown. Do you also see this problem if you only shut down one system? Or only when there is no system left that can do the actual offload from the CF? And may I enquire why you regularly do sysplex-wide IPLs? Back when our auditors press us to turn on UAUDIT for RACF, we found during some times when so many RACF records were being sent to SMF it could not keep up; even though the MANx data sets were empty. Thus SMF said data was lost but did not tell us whose (was RACF). Auditors were not pleased about this and therefore IBM's solution was the LOGGER. So for our journey into the SWAMP. I know my guys have created a bunch of REXX routines to cover some of the sortcomings of how the process should work. Our present challenge in the swamp was at shutdown when Z EOD is entered there is no communication to the LOGGER to wait for him/her/it to complete what has to be done so when OPS re'ipls, then nothing is lost. IBM gave us a bunch of commands to have the operator enter although so far these have not worked. Plus even though the LOGGER says it is done, it is actually still off doing its thing with no indication when it honestly is completed. Level 2 agrees with us whole heartily but needed us to open a marketing request which I understand forces different parts of IBM to take notice and communicate with each other. I think this kinda assigns a referee who can get the attention of all parties on behalf of the customer. So in general, shutting down any LPAR can get you in trouble with the hosing up LOG files for that system. The way I am told is each system in a SYSLPLEX does its own thing with its LOG files (am by no means the expert for the techies are more into this than I). We have been having some building power upgrades and without a generator, then indeed we have to put everything to bed when it happens. Then some EMC DASD upgrades with multiple BIN file changes over a number of weekends caused some more total down time. When the swamp has been turned into something manageable, then I will give an update of how things can work. I understand the rationale to change the way SMF was offloaded which goes back my days in OS/MVT. But I think IBM was remiss in not understanding the full ramifications of how they have sites implement the LOGGER. If they would have talked to some savy users, then could have made the journey much smoother. So now, we do it the taumatic way which keeps life interesting here. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
SMF LOGGER - Not Ready for Prime Time
If anyone is in the throws of putting the SMF LOGGER into production, I would seriously hold up and wait a while. We have been up on it for about three months and have gone through one problem, hurdle, consequence, challenge, etc, after another. Today the issue is with when you shutdown a system or worse if you need to bring down the entire sysplex. Z EOD does not interface to the SMF LOGGER and the operators usually blow the systems away when they receive the message which says EOD is done. The significance is the logger is still doing its thing and now break it; causing all kinds of grief later. IBM has a temporary fix where you issue a set of commands per LPAR before the Halt EOD but so far they have not worked. Besides so far, the commands do not tell you when the logger is completed doing its think. Although when the set of commands do work, hopefully it will tell an operator something of its completion. Remember, the intent of this is for your operators to visit every LPAR shutting down and wait for each. This will bring new meaning to the idea of a fast sysplex wide IPL. Everyone including IBM agrees Z EOD needs to be tap everyone on the shoulder to have its logger to do what it should do and then tell HALT, it is now done; thus giving the message which is now real. So to do this, we are submitting as Marketing Request to IBM to get all the players to talk to each other to sort through this situation (not to be confused with a problem). Things are working as intended except no one thought this all the way through and the cardinal word is intended. Will keep you posted as things unravel. jim (WashDC) -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Mainframers Web 2.0
Right now in WashDC the hot topic is Web 2.0 and how it can be implemented to help the government get more in tuned with the 21st century. Are there any suggestions of how Web 2.0 with all of its blogs, wikis, live discussion forums and other forms of social networking has been implemented at your site. These do not have to be running on the mainframe. The idea is how these came to help out your IT community hopefully with some strategy which shows how human the mainframers are. Then if you have, what kinds of software were used and product names are fine to give me a starting point. Would appreciate any kind of idea no matter how it sounds. thanksjim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Mainframe Charge Back Software
Pacific Systems Management in Australia provide TheBill. http://psm.cx/ This is very interesting to know Chargeback Systems are alive and well down under. But looking at the website, I notice a number of things which make me nervous. 1. Copyright on the web page is 2002 2. Supported systems are mainframes (good show) 3. Supported systems are UNIX (OK) 4. Supported systems are AS/400 (thought these were iSeries now) 5. Supported systems are Windows NT (so has 2000, XP, and Vista not just made it their way yet). Maybe these mainframers are just to busy to update a web page with more current info. If indeed anyone is using these in a current z/OS V1.9 or later with also maybe feeding zLinux info out of Velocity Software's info, would be curious. Around here the main focus for the last number has been Disaster Recovery since 9/11. I am predicting there will be a movement towards Chargeback soon to attempt to define where IT costs are residing. My view of Chargeback is it has two sides; COST and REVENUE. The revenue side is easy because in the end someone always has to pay (may be contentous but it still the money comes). The difficult side is the COST because IT likes to bury costs for others in side deals besides masking costs for items and then lumping them into either overhead or historically in the mainframes CPU charge. In summary, I hope this firm is real and can offer an alternative to SAS, IBM, CA, PACE (Komand), and a number which escape me for now. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Is there a Web enabled TN3270 on z/10's running z/OS 1.9
Our Windows Server Team is looking for alternatives to our current Aviva solution. Other than using a different tn3270 client application. Does anyone have any suggestions or know of anything on z10's? Not sure if the direction is to run this through an application which would use TN3270 (say CICS) and have it accessible using a Browser. In general HOD is just a 3270 emulator which requires the download of a small JAVA applet to the user's PC. Keep in mind all the emulators do the 3270 data stream conversion to HTML in the PC and HTML to 3270 DataStream. Thus some are called FAT-Clients or maybe HOD could be called a Skinny-Client but the conversion happens at the PC level. If all the users are internal, then it may not be a problem of loading software. If users are external, some do not appreciate their PC being updated with software. In general there was a requirement for outside entities to access systems and the HATS product was chosen. There are samples included and in less than 3 weeks, there was a WEB-like application in production with the only requirement on the end user of having a Browser. If one uses HATS, you have to be running Websphere Application Server either on z/OS, zLinux, or Windows (maybe Linux on Intel). The backend 3270 screens stay the same and the HATS application runs as a JAVA Plug-in with WAS to do the conversion of the 3270 datastream to HTML. Another aspect to keep in mind is how these are development and the need to buy tools. Buying HATS gives you a number of copies of Rational Application Developer to be used exclusively for HATS development. Then one has to buy HIS (Host Information Services) licenses (consists of a license for a user to use HATS, HOD or PCOM). Buying say 500 licenses gets you 5 RAD for HATS development for free. In general there are other vendors software to do the same kind of things. I would definitely ask about having to buy the tools to develop the applications. In the end, the 3270 green screens have not been altered, the HATS screens appear to be a true WEBApp and 99% of the users do not know this is coming from the IBM Enterprise Server (mainframe app of old). In most cases, only the needed information has been taken from the green screen and presented on the web page along with logos, pulldowns, lists, etc. I am told if you can code WORD Style Sheets, then HATS is a breeze. Oh yes, in HATS 7.5 and the new RAD, you can send the green screen to a cellphone. RAD has the development area for ensuring the Webpage will fit onto a cellphone. Have yet to explore that aspect yet, although it sounds like in some cases a CICS application may be needed to interact with one of the users locally as they are riding home on the Metro train. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: TMON with OMEGAMON Comparison
I am surmising you have accepted the IBM Direction for Omegamon of requiring an installation such as yours being running Linux on z or have a separate AIX platform to run the monitoring and reporting component. Even though many of the products run standalone on z/OS today, I am told and continue to be told ALL the Omegamon products in the future will be upgraded to require either the zLinux or AIX for the monitor and reporting pieces. I still can not get IBM to explain why I would want to place such a dependency on my 99.999% z/OS systems on some z/VM + Linux or let alone an AIX system (which would need multiple ones). Then factor in DR planning into the equation. At least with the z/VM Linux solution it all runs on the same z-Box and can be recovered as a whole. But then operationally if I have to take down the z/VM Linux LPAR, then I will need another like LPAR take over. This sounds OK until you now have the monitoring data spread across 2 LPARS and you have lost the one historical view until you take steps to get it all back in one place. But then on one side I am told there is a 3270 Green screen just in case and then I hear whispers in my ear that I would not want to actually have to use it. But then maybe this is just the new 21st century way of thinking. If anyone has heard IBM changing their thinking, would definitely be interested. I indeed run the IBM IP Monitor (requiring zLinux) which I got N/C when NPM/IP V2 was a flaming disaster. Of course if you want an excuse for getting z/VM zLinux, Omegamon provides the ammo. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: FDR Backups for Linux?
Do not quite have a requirement for 24/7 but what is done is the Linux Systems are terminated for a very short time, all the z/VM volume containing the minidisk of Linux file systems are SNAPPED over to separate disks and the Virtual Linux machines are then brought back up. The outage is very small. Then we can take our time about backing up the z/VM-Linux volumes to our z/OS system which does all the heavy lifting with its great automation, etc. Yes, for a whole bunch more money we could attempt to engineer 24/7, etc, but for almost no extra costs, this is very doable. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: VPS/TCPIP RICOH Printers Bidirectional
Thanks for looking and finding everything I found about the RICOH Printer SP- 5100N and how it does not printer. Indeed you are correct about in VPS having to turn off ECHO/STATUS if you use their SOCKET interface. But then if it is disabled, then you loose any benefit of the intent to do checkpointing of print along the way. In fact, this method of printing is worse than using the old LPD protocol. At least with LPD one gets a count at the end of the transmission to check to learn if the printer got it all. Contacted some sources in the know to learn that the all RICOH printers indeed do support bidirectional printing. But I learned the RICOH SP-5100N is not really a RICOH printer but a cheap printer made up to be look like a RICOH printer. The questions were met with a response something like, you mean to tell me someone is actually using a mainframe to print to one of those cheap printers. We never thought it could be done. Not sure what is so special about at least doing LPD printing as a last resort. Now my task is to try to figure out which are real RICOH printers and which are cheap printers made up to look like RICOH. Or maybe if the user needs a cheap printer with no need of checkpointing on the mainframe, then cheap maybe OK. So thanks for the confirmation. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
VPS/TCPIP RICOH Printers Bidirectional
I run the VPS/TCPIP printing system on z/OS and am attempting to get printing working to RICOH laser printers. LPD printing works just fine but the preferred way of printing is using LRS's HP Sockets definition to usually Port 9100. This enables VPS to do such things as Check-pointing along the way. VPS Sockets printing needs the printer to support Bidirectional communication. I have a RICOH SP5100N Laser printer configured with Port 9100 enabled and can get it to print by disabling the bidirectional reponse the printer can give along the way. The requirement is for the printer to respond to the ECHO/STATUS and it has been confirmed the print is making to the printer on 9100 but the printer is not responding with the ECHO/STATUS. I have been all over RICOH website and besides being difficult to search for problems, it has been little help. I GOOGLE’d everyway I can imagine to get some hits on anyone having the same problem. For now the printer is defined LPD and is working. But if, say, a 500 page report gets interrupted, then the report starts over from the beginning. All the configuration options for the printer itself have been reviewed, explored, etc. Has anyone encountered the problem with a RICOH Laser printers not responding to ECHO and what did you do to set it. My sense is it is a configuration option at the printer but have no idea which one would enable it. If you want to ask RICOH a question like this, get out the credit card. An interesting strategy because if I can not get bidirectional to work, my recommendation to the customer will be buy some other manufacturers printers. Jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: z/Linux, Was SAS, now Oracle
I may be wrong, but I thought Oracle was still a per processor license, even under z/Linux. A dozen Oracles on a zprocessor is cheaper than the same on dedicated Intel box. Yes, you are correct and for review, 1-IFL (z800-z9EC) equates to one INTEL Dual-Core Server or Laptop. Thus a Quad-Core equates to 2-IFLs. Transferred a laptop Dual-Core Oracle License to my z900 back when. Upgraded to a z9BC later with no increase in charge. Now it is supporting 7 Oracle database instances and could handle many more. Today the Distributed side is configuring all their Servers as Quad-Core or 8- Core Servers. Thus, today Oracle runs about $50K for a Dual-Core and thus $200K for a 8-Core machine. Even have a 10-Core Oracle machine. These usually run VMWARE to be able to run DTP (Development, TEST, Production) on the same Server for an application. They were very excited to show me their 10-Core machine running three instances. Showed them my z9BC running with 1-IFL and 7 Oracle's, 6 DB2s, and in amongst 50+ Virtual Linux Servers in the same three Virtual partitions. I understand the factor is 1.25 for an Oracle license to cover a z10. A very interesting comparison in any way one looks at it. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
MQ Interface for ADABAS/Natural
We brought in IBM Websphere MQ as part of the IBM Enterprise Service Bus. Now a group is trying to interface some Natural code to MQ. There are documented interfaces for things like COBOL but none for SoftwareAG's Natural. Anyone know of some company making an interface for this. thanks jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
IBM Tivoli Tape Optimizer on z/OS
I am running an IBM VTS-B18 and installed an IBM VTS-B20 with the intent of moving all the files over from the B18 to the newer B20. HSM files are easy to do as I have cut off allocation to the old and only into the new. Then along with recycles, it will all go over. Once the B18 is empty it can be offered to the Smithsonian along with its 3590 drives. Looked around at products like OpenTech's and CA's tapecopy offering and even though they seem to be first class products, the cost is also first-class (in the old days it would more than Air-Mail). I ran across this Tivoli utility for what I am told is $5K per z9BC. Does any one have any experience with the product where it copies files with not much up front work coding JCL, and then does all the adjustments with the Catalog and in my case, RMM. Be interested (this can be offlist) in your impressions. thanks jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: VTAM security issue
On Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:41:17 -0600, Chris Mason chrisma...@belgacom.net wrote: Jim FUD! There's quite a lot needs straightening out here! - etc, etc, etc. I appreciate the response from my learned colleague and he is correct about SNA Security being available. For one it is hardly every used and its encryption has not kept up with all the improvements. But I do contend, the thinking that VTAM even being secured by SNA is insufficient. With all the capabilities these days of anyone having a legal MVS running system along with LU6.2 coming from almost every running UNIX system and not to mention Windows systems as SNA Servers, VTAM needs to be protected much more than people think. Indeed how did we survive all these years without some Firewall product. My thought is hardly anyone had a spare IBM 4341 in their basement to even attempt it. I attended a SHARE back in the 1990s and bumped into the IBMer who maintained he Bisynchronous protocol when I discussed FAX'ing. It seems for 25 years it was stable but someone found a BUG in it which was truly their all these years. He had to plug the hole. So just because it has not happened in years, does not mean it can not. Right now I understand there are 20+ ways which VTAM/SNA systems have been compromised. Many because of poor implementations but some just because of what it is and how it operates. In the end, I continue to run with my SNA Firewall and know things are safe here. So I can only say F - Fear and indeed there is U - Uncertainty no more D - Doubt is doubt no more Your mileage may vary.jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Data Encryption Product Limits: 300 Datasets per month
I am looking into RACF certificates to handle Key Management, early stages looks doable. Am by far no expert in all the terminology for those on my Team handle all the details. In general indeed the KEYS are maintained by z/OS RACF and along with ICSF give us a doable, secure option. The intent for encryption is for data export or to secure the backup tapes sent offsite. This is why the very, very inexpensive Crypto engines were procured to handle the key issues. In general we have a co-processor available for each CP engine which can fire. Also we have one Accelerator for each CP engine configured for use. The Key management is quite easy if one starts out with generating your own Public/Private Keys pairs and giving out the Public key to the world for Data Exchange Partners to use when sending us their data. We ask for the partners Public key to store for when we send them data. This all goes into RACF. Now the difficulty comes when a partner wants us to use a Symmetric Key or PassPhrase. Communicating this key should not be done in writing such as e- mails, etc, unless it is encrypted by some other means. Then we have to maintain it someplace secure which leads to a number of folks knowing it; Public Keys are very much preferred. I do agree the overhead of storing encrypted data on the machine and accessing it encrypted, decrypting it on the fly, using it and rewriting it encrypted is off in the future. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: Data Encryption Product Limits: 300 Datasets per month
In general there are many software products which could do the job from IBM Encryption Facility, FDRCrypt, Megacryption, PGP, GPG, Techtia, etc. Your concern needs to be if they meet US Gov't FIPS 140-2 certification. Then would imagine, it would be nice to integrate into DFDSS which you are probably using to dump the files. Then in general any of your dumps which are sent offsite to a DR location need to be encrypted as a matter of course. I see your e-mail address implies you have healthcare info is in the cards. Then in general if you exchange files with any US Government agency, according to OMB 06-16, these files are to be Encrypted at rest prior to transmission to be received showing up encrypted at rest to be decrypted. In general I have used IBM Encryption Facility on our z9BCs as a relatively low cost product (also supports PGP and GPG). Been doing this since August 2006 when the OMB mandate went final. As a footnote it does all present some interesting challenges as far as Key Management, exchanging files with our Windows/Unix/Linux Brethren, and espically the Translation issues which happen (remember this back in the 20th Century). If you want to chat about any of this, contact me offlist. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: VTAM security issue
CICS of organization A is connected (LU6.2 Connection) to CICS of organization B. No problem with that. I looked into the CDRM and found some other application of organization B defined in VTAMLST of oranization A. Tried LOGON APPLID(xxx) and gpt the GMtran of org. B (if it is the default, I can travel in this CICS...). I also riched TSO logon etc. Now, I want to block (at) org b ability to get to org a applications other then the CICS connection that was agreed between Org A and B. Is this possible? I also want to block the ability to enter logon applid command (may be by userid, even of the solution will require entering userid password). How to achive that? What other alternatives are offered to connect to vtam applications when USS tab is displaied, other then LOG APPLID and selecting from the uss tab? I mean, is there any bypass to LOG APPLID if blocked? In general, VTAM security has never been implemented because long ago when it started everyone thought SNA Pt-to-Pt lines provided it all. Today almost all the SNA expertise to even attempt it is extinct, education is even lacking. But even for those who have done it, it is only a false sense of security. Back a few years there was a free VTAM SME exit offered to show you what was coming into your VTAM network from SNI connections. Installed it on the fly and ran it for 2 hours believing little would show; Wrong-O smart one. It scared us silly. Especially with Hercules and MVS 3.8 VTAM which works today and can be on the other end, or jumps into the middle of a real connection, it is truely frightful. So there are companies which offer a SNA Firewall (installs dynamically) to truely secure the VTAM SNI connections and lets us sleep sound at night. It is imperative the one chosen handles not only SNI but LU6/0/1/2, etc. Another benefit is when you are connected to Company A and also Company B. If they find out about each other, then A can connect to B using your network saving each the expense of making a separate connection. With the Firewall one has the ability to look at the BIND and even for connections which are approved, it can see the parameters coded and let you know if they are inefficient (working fine but eating your lunch). Yes, no one would ever run their TCP/IP systems without a Firewall, except I am guessing 99%+ of those who have SNA, it never even occurs to them they are highly exposed. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
IBM DFRMM Reporting
I was a long time user of the CA-1 Tape Management System (TMS) and remember the reporting capabilities (TMSGRW, etc) which gave me the chance to slice and dice the TMC info. In the present position as Coach of the Sysprogs I have to rely on them to get me info I need. We run DFRMM and I am told there is no generalized tool for reporting RMM stuff. Would appreciate any suggestions about what people use, techniques, or even Open Source Tools (aka, SHAREWARE) which could assist me. Yes, I could delve into the manuals and relive my techie days but I must leave it to the Contractors; besides there are many non-contractor issues to deal with besides getting ones hands dirty again. Comments appreciated. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: z/OS V1R10 COBOL
Seems in this new 21st Century I get to monitor all the Announcement letters on my own and look out for Ole #1 (the new way). I, honestly, don't understand the question. Aren't we responsible for understanding the requirements for each upgrade, regardless of the product? This is a fair question. I now believe I was pampered by my previous IBM SE who wanted to ensure I knew a new version or release of something was available so I would order it ASAP; those are always a bit more expensive and thus was seeing the revenue increased from my account. Back in the summer the person left after getting a great offer ($$$) from Microsoft. Microsoft formed a team with many ex-AMDAHL techies and sales types to target mainframes and conversions to Windows. Hey, I told the person to go for it, learn exactly how it can be done and if so, come back and explain it to me. The person is still trying to grasp it all. An interesting aspect of working for Microsoft, is all the employees are required to run the latest development version of Windows on their laptops and PC's (per top management). Have no fear, I am told 6-8 crashes a day can do wonders for convincing mainframe accounts this is the system of future. No one told me looking after the customer was now the solemn job of each installation. Guess the old way was so 20th Century; although it was indeed a nice touch. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
EAL5 Certification for z10 Enterprise Class Server
Interesting for those a fancy for security. The IBM System z10 Enterprise Class (z10 EC) now joins previous IBM mainframes as the world's only servers with the highest level of hardware security certification, Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 5 (EAL5). The EAL5 ranking will give companies confidence that they can run many different applications running on different operating systems such as: z/OS, z/VM, z/VSE, z/TPF and Linux-based applications containing confidential data - such as payroll, human resources, e-commerce, ERP and CRM systems - on one z10 EC divided into partitions that keep each application's data secure and distinct from the others. That is, the z10 EC architecture is designed to prevent the flow of information among logical partitions on a single system. All customers who currently trust their critical business transactions to the IBM mainframe will benefit from the privacy certification afforded to z10 EC, as well as government agencies who deal with national security issues. To view the certification report, visit BSI at http://www.bsi.de. For questions about this 5x5 please contact Ivan Bailey at tieline 295-7860, External 845-435-7860. Notes ID: Ivan Bailey/Poughkeepsie/IBM, or at [EMAIL PROTECTED] jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Mainframe Hosted BLOGs and WIKIs
Seems there is an interest in running mainframe hosted BLOGs and WIKIs which could either run on z/OS (Websphere Applicaton Server maybe) or zLinux. Does anyone know of any software available to to host these. thanks jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
Re: IFL Extended to OpenSolaris
If one installs z/VM solely for use as a Linux hypervisor, would there be a need for RSCS? Maybe. There is certainly a need to perform maintenance to the z/VM system as well as administrative functions such as creating virtual machines. Hmmm RSCS seems to have come a long way since I last touched a VM system (VM/ESA 2.1, about a dozen years ago). Back then, RSCS was used mostly like the NJE component of JES. Similarly, would there be a need to talk about licensing terms for RACF/VM to run on an IFL, if z/VM were used solely as a Linux hypervisor? Sure. To control who performs the needed maintenance and administration, for example. But the intent of my question was whether one could just purchase the standard RACF/VM license and then run it on z/VM on an IFL, or does one have to obtain special dispensation from IBM to run RACF/VM on an IFL, as was stated for RSCS? Indeed if z/VM is only run as a Hypervisor running a whole mess of Linux Penguins, then RSCS is not going to be needed to establish a NJE connection between JES2-RSCS. RACF/VM will depend on your auditors and what they want to see as to the activity of the SYSPROGs. Here we run RACF/VM for the 3-4 SYSPROGs only to track where they go. For the MAINT userid or any share USERID we force the SYSPROG to use the LOGONBY feature of signon. Although you might consider DIRMAINT as an addon to manage your z/VM Directory Minidisks although it can be done manually in the z/VM Directory. Just keep in mind you may still see a requirement for ISPF/VM 3.2 which was the latest and greatest thing out back in 1988. It has not changed since and it is for using ISPF as the interface for RACF/VM and DIRMAINT. They both work fine using the command line interface and it saved here the outrageous offering of first $50K to license it and then it dropped down to $25K plus SS for a product which had not been updated in 16 years when I implemented RACF/VM and DIRMAINT. They are both very reasonable in cost and keep the auditors very happy. jim -- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
