The Art and Science of AIX Performance: The Stats Utilities
January 1, 2018
An article series dedicated to AIX and the methodology of attacking and resolving performance problems.
PodcastsAndrew Hicks Celebrates Interest in the Mainframe and Building 3-D Printers
January 1, 2018
Reg Harbeck: Hi. I’m Reg Harbeck and today I’m here with Andrew Hicks who is a new IBMer who is involved with the mainframe and a vast number of other really interesting things. I met him at SHARE and every conversation we’ve had has been so interesting that we absolutely had to do a zTalk […]
ArticlesTrevor Perry on Slide Decks and IT Strategy
January 1, 2018
Paul Tuohy: Hi everybody and welcome to the first iTalk with Tuohy of 2018. To kick off the year, I think no better person to maybe look back at 2017 with and to kick off the new year is my friend, my colleague, my fellow IBM Champion and general AS/400 evangelist, Trevor Perry. [Laughs] I […]
ArticlesActive Memory Pools with Navigator for i
December 21, 2017
On the “green screen” you can see what pool a job is running in with Work with Active Jobs (WRKACTJOB); press F11 one time and you’ll find a column with the pool number. That’s nice, but you need to know the description of the pool that number is associated with. Using Work with System Status […]
ArticlesManaging Emerging Technologies
December 18, 2017
In this post, I finish up my focus on the management theme from the previous four weeks of posts, with a concentration on the management of emerging technologies like robots and artificial intelligence (AI). There’s been much written about jobs being lost to new technologies like computerized algorithms (at this time) and autonomous vehicles (in […]
ArticlesA Focus on Cloud Management
December 11, 2017
In this post, I keep my focus on the management theme from the previous three weeks of posts with concentration on cloud. What is different with cloud as compared to system, network and application management? Don’t cloud services require system and network management? Don’t cloud services run an application so isn’t application management useful? Time […]
PodcastsConnor Krukosky Talks About His Unconventional Path into Mainframes and IBM
December 11, 2017
Reg Harbeck talks with Connor Krukosky, young mainframe enthusiast, about how he got into mainframes and what he loves about the IBM Z platform. Listen to the interview via the orange play button or read the transcript below. Reg Harbeck: Hi. This is Reg Harbeck and today I have the honor and pleasure of being […]
ArticlesIBM i Open Source and the Talent That Follows
December 6, 2017
James Hodgkinson shares his company’s experience with open-source technology.
ArticlesDevOps Tricks: Integrate UrbanCode Deploy With zD&T for Software Deployments
December 4, 2017
IBM z Systems Development and Test Environment (zD&T) simplifies infrastructure requirements for mainframe development and testing.
ArticlesREXX Language Helps Ensure Consistency of Applications Across Platforms
December 4, 2017
The fact that the REXX programming language has a long history is an asset. It speaks to its stability, growth and expansion to different platforms and multiple versions. REXX has earned its reputation as a small, easy-to-learn language, just 23 instruction statements, that can be used to write programs for a wide variety of needs. […]
ArticlesA Comprehensive Approach to Application Management
December 4, 2017
In this post, I explore the discipline of application management, which is an IT management process with tools focused on the availability, performance and manageability of applications. Applications that have files, databases and other resources distributed over multiple OS images can be a challenge to manage. When suddenly some part of the application isn’t working, […]
ArticlesTo Attract and Retain Millennials, Organizations Must Appeal to Their Unique Wants and Needs
December 1, 2017
Millennials grew up with technology. From an early age, they’ve used mobile devices, computers and the internet. As a result, they aren’t afraid to push technology to new limits. This is why when millennials are exposed to the mainframe, they typically embrace it and see its benefits. As baby boomers who spent their careers on […]
ArticlesOptimize Memory to Enhance Speed of CICS Functions
December 1, 2017
This article focuses on CICS performance across all platforms. On the mainframe CICS is known as CICS Transaction Server (TS), but on other platforms it’s called TXSeries, with CICS Transaction Gateway providing standardized CICS interfaces and secure access. All products are developed and supported by CICS development, and interact with each other via facilities like […]
ArticlesThe Future for Enterprise Optimization is a Mainframe and Cloud Strategy
December 1, 2017
Mainframe workloads continue to grow in both magnitude and business value. As a matter of fact, the platform destined for extinction isn’t the mainframe, as predicted, but rather on-premises distributed infrastructure. That’s why the optimal future architecture for large enterprises includes only two platforms: the mainframe and the cloud. Those seeking to optimize the performance, […]
ArticlesIBM PowerAI Brings Together AI Solutions for Enterprises
December 1, 2017
When you’re big, it’s tough to be quick. The artificial intelligence (AI) boom has sent some startups soaring into the future, but it’s left some big enterprises planted in the past. “Every industry is being disrupted by AI startups—FinTech tools in the banking industry, self-driven cars in the auto industry—these new companies are using AI […]
Articlesi Can use IBM DVD Images with my USB 3.0 Adapter
November 28, 2017
With IBM i 7.2 TR5 and 7.3 TR1, IBM introduced “Optical Containers.” This allowed users to see the DVD image as a separate file system.
ArticlesAge of Networks and Network Management
November 27, 2017
In this post, I explore the current state of network management, a powerfully mature discipline that emerged after going through many changes as networking evolved to its present state. Network management is still growing and evolving. That’s because network environments are still developing in sophistication, built-in support and changing device implementations like virtualized firewalls, switches […]
ArticlesHow Hobby and Career Intersect for a Global Chess Master
November 27, 2017
Wouldn’t it be nice to find one activity that would never become boring? Warren Harper, staff specialist product developer, BMC, has found his. Harper is an avid chess player and regularly competes in tournaments worldwide. By winning titles both in the U.S. and internationally, Harper has established himself as a global chess master. He holds […]
ArticlesComprehensive Systems Management
November 20, 2017
In this post, I explore systems management as a comprehensive discipline: What is it, how has it changed and what are the latest innovations to emerge. Systems management has developed into a mature and vibrant network of activities that are key to keeping systems available and useful. Let’s consider it as a model with categories […]
ArticlesThe Difference between Binary and Integer (And Why You Should Care)
November 14, 2017
To avoid surprises when using binary format in databases (i.e., Int or SmallInt in SQL terms or B data type in DDS), you must understand how it all works
ArticlesIBM Cloud, Watson and Web Services Help Applications Fly
November 13, 2017
IBM i customers have substantial investment in Integrated Language Environment (ILE) applications, but how can these programs be integrated with outside applications or services?
ArticlesIT Management Activities and Their Context
November 13, 2017
This is the first in a series about IT management. You might think of this as system, network, application and cloud management, but definitions and practices are changing and expanding. Or, you might think of this as IT Service management. That’s certainly part of it as well. IT service management creates context so it is […]
ArticlesDetermining the Electrical Grounding for Mission Critical Facilities’ Engine-Generators
November 13, 2017
The Uptime Institute LLC considers the engine-generators as a primary source of power for the mission critical facilities. Permanently installed generators for the facilities are separate power sources and are often installed as separately derived systems, which are defined in Article 100 of National Electrical Codes. This article discusses the ‘electrical grounding for the engine-generators […]
PodcastsDenise Kalm on Coaching and Consulting Mainframers
November 13, 2017
Reg Harbeck talks with Denise Kalm, coach and consultant, about how younger mainframers can make an impact on the platform and logical next steps for experienced mainframers. Listen to the interview via the orange play button or read the transcript below. Reg Harbeck: Hi, this is Reg Harbeck and today I'm talking with Denise Kalm. […]
ArticlesA Cloud Managed Service Provider Can Help With Data Protection
November 13, 2017
Data security is a critical component of a comprehensive risk management strategy. Organizations must analyze their security risk, taking into account factors such as industry, types of data being stored, the value of the data and the threats most likely to impact the business. Then they need to decide how much risk they’re willing to […]