A Simplified Approach to Understanding z/OS Performance
January 18, 2022
Knowing and understanding the performance of z/OS systems has always been important for enterprises as mission-critical business processes run in z/OS systems. Each mainframe shop has its own way of dealing with performance, which is a factor of in-house skills. As deep technical skills are becoming rare, a simplified approach to z/OS performance can help […]
ArticlesAIX 7.3 and HMC v10 Upgrades
January 18, 2022
In late 2021, IBM released the final versions of HMC v10 and AIX v7.3. Below is a summary of my experiences upgrading my HMC to v10 and a couple of LPARs to AIX v7.3 HMC v10 Upgrades on Your POWERHMC The first step for me is to login to the BMC interface on the HMC […]
ArticlesCounting the Benefits Part 2: IBM Z and the Global Economy
January 17, 2022
In Part 1 of this article, I set the stage for recognizing that the IBM Z mainframe has many relevant differentiators that need to be specifically accounted for in RPFs and cost-benefits analyses in order to create a fair playing field where implicit strengths of the mainframe are not assumed as being part of other […]
ArticlesSpeech-to-Text Conversion Using Python
January 13, 2022
In this tutorial from Subhasish Sarkar, learn how to build a basic speech-to-text engine using simple Python script
ArticlesThe Value of a COMMON Membership
January 12, 2022
In my last post, I wrote about IBM i resources for continuous learning. This week, I want to talk about COMMONand the value of a COMMON membership. COMMON is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the careers of its members through education, certification, advocacy and networking. Many associate COMMON with the annual conference, but […]
ArticlesPaving a Path Forward on IBM i and AIX
January 10, 2022
As organizations accelerate their digital transformations, IBM i and AIX partners and customers are re-evaluating their approach and planning their path forward. While the pandemic added new challenges, many organizations are facing the same or similar challenges that were present before COVID-19 and now are just at a heightened level of importance. Modernizing RPG Applications […]
ArticlesThe Mainframe Ecosystem: A Community Effort
January 10, 2022
Community. That’s the driving force behind the burgeoning IBM Z mainframe ecosystem, whether supported by IBM itself, ISVs, universities or end users—or more likely, all of the above. Indeed, each of these segments benefits from the others by working toward common goals, such as improving mainframe ease of use, cultivating skills for the future or developing open-source […]
ArticlesHashes and How to Create Them on z/OS
January 10, 2022
Hashes can be really handy. Want to confirm that a file was received intact? Compare sender and receiver hashes. Want to see if a file has been updated recently? Compare hashes generated over time. Want a fast key for a lookup table? Use a hash as the key. But what are hashes, and how can […]
ArticlesLog4Shell Part 2: 3 Best Practices for Software Security
January 6, 2022
Log4Shell and others provide a constant reminder that IT security is a perpetual task. Jesse Gorzinski highlights three security best practices you should follow to keep software secure.
ArticlesHow RESTful APIs Streamline RPA Efficiency on the Mainframe
January 6, 2022
Enterprises are increasingly investing in Robotic Process Automation (RPA), a software that automates repetitive tasks to save costs and increase productivity. RPAs are a beneficial way to modernize sequences that are running on the mainframe. However, current methodologies— namely, screen scraping—are proving an inefficient route. Luckily, Jerry Rackley, director of marketing, HostBridge Technology, has found […]
ArticlesNever-Ending IBM i Learning
January 5, 2022
I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions, but I am big on continuous learning. Each day I try to learn something new, usually related to something I’m working on with various clients. Being an obsessive list-maker, I also have lists of subject areas where I want to broaden my knowledge or increase my […]
ArticlesApache Log4j Vulnerability, AIX Tips and Tools, a Look at Time Drift, and More
January 4, 2022
IBM Champion Rob McNelly on the Log4j security vulnerability, helpful AIX tips and tools, time drifts on POWER8 and POWER9 servers, and more
ArticlesFrom Educators to End Users: Leveraging Holistic Approaches and the Importance of Belonging Across the Tech Ecosystem
January 4, 2022
Join us for our first 2022 webinar of the Making Our Strong Community, Stronger collaborative initiative on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the mainframe industry. Register here. We’re mixing up the conversation by sharing the perspective of IBM Z educators and end users. In keeping with our previous discussions, we are continuing our bold, open and […]
PodcastsIBM Power Champion Birgitta Hauser on SQL and Modernization
January 3, 2022
Charlie Guarino: Hi everybody. Welcome to another edition of TechTalk SMB. Today I am joined by the queen of SQL for Db2 for i, a world—renowned expert on SQL, somebody who freely gives so much of her time in the IBM i forums, somebody who I've had the great pleasure of speaking with in many cities […]
ArticlesThe History of Business Computing Part 1: Counting the Benefits
December 20, 2021
How did we go from the joy of the freedom that personal, commodity computing brought us, to unidimensional cynicism about industrial-strength computing, valuing everything by gross costs without a consideration of the nature and amount of what was being delivered? For that matter, how did we get to a place where requests for proposals (RFPs) […]
ArticlesAre Containers on Mainframes Safe?
December 20, 2021
Let’s just start with some basics: What is a container? A container is a standard unit of software that packages up code and all of its dependencies, so the application runs quickly and reliably in different computing environments. In effect, this container can be taken from one computing platform to another, and it will still […]
ArticlesGeocoding and Mapping Data With IBM Db2 Web Query for i
December 15, 2021
Have you ever wanted to apply mapping technology to your data? Ever since Google and Apple Maps became popular, other vendors have used this same mapping technology to provide a basis for business intelligence data analysis. Several towns in my rural area have begun investigating how to improve internet access and have asked vendors to […]
ArticlesWhat Is the TLS Handshake Process?
December 15, 2021
A vast majority of web applications and websites today use the HTTPS protocol that enables data encryption between the client and server. It is, therefore, always a good idea to have at least a very basic understanding of how the whole encryption process works—how the encryption begins and how it is established, and that is […]
ArticlesLog4Shell Part 1: Answering FAQs on the Log4Shell Security Vulnerability
December 14, 2021
Jesse Gorzinksi on the Log4Shell security vulnerability, what it impacts and how to remediate the problem in Java programs
ArticlesAIX Tips, Tricks and Useful Tools
December 13, 2021
Periodically I like to remind everyone about the tools they have at their disposal as well as providing a few tips and tricks to help with maintaining systems. In this article we will look at some of the tools you can use to help in your day-to-day work. YUM and DNF If you’re dealing with […]
VideoLearning AIX and IBM i: Courses, Tracks and Certifications
December 7, 2021
IBM Champion Rob McNelly on courses, tracks or certifications you can use for developing IBM i and AIX resources internally
Articles‘When Your Employees Are Thriving, Your Business Is Thriving:’ Why DEI Strategies Should Be a Business Imperative
December 7, 2021
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are all vital components of a safe and respectful working environment. For a company to move in a positive direction, there must be a focus on DEI to ensure that every employee is treated fairly and can trust that their unique perspective will be valued. An expert on this topic […]
ArticlesPerformance and Management Tools for AIX and Power Systems: Features and Use Cases
December 7, 2021
While monitoring and management solutions perform somewhat similar tasks, they’ve traditionally served different enough functions to keep them from being optimally paired as a collaborative unit. Management tools ensure that your system is available, configured properly or optimized and its components are connected correctly and as expected, whereas monitoring tools look for overall system, communication, […]
ArticlesTechChannel Webinars: Engaging Content Led by Industry Experts
December 6, 2021
As the COVID-19 pandemic effectively eliminated most in-person interaction in 2020, nearly every facet of daily life went online. From medicine to education to friendships, individuals around the world turned to digital measures to stay connected. This explosion of virtual communication also saw companies turning to digital methods to facilitate career development and employee knowledge […]
E-BooksTechChannel E-book: Streamline Your Modernization Strategies With Open Source and SQL With Db2 for i
December 6, 2021
Modernization strategies come in many forms—each with a unique blend of cost, risk and value. But some strategies are better than others, depending on your organizational needs. Some organizations still have hesitations about adopting the most effective modernization strategies—such as establishing a virtual layer of SQL views within physical data models or leveraging open-source technologies. […]