Zowe: Making the Mainframe easy to work with, just like any other platform

The IBM System Z server (Mainframe) is the system of record for most Fortune 1000 companies, housing critical business data as well as PII data from customers that must be available at all times but cannot be compromised. The Mainframe platform is behind just about every critical user experience in business today. For this reason, every company shares common concerns about the security of their customer data and the compatibility and performance of the applications that drive their business.

What is Zowe?
Zowe is an open source project for the Mainframe. Alike Mac OS or Windows, Zowe comes with a set of APIs and OS capabilities that application developers can leverage. Zowe also includes some application samples and applications out of the box.

To learn more about Zowe, check out this 5 minutes YouTube Video:

And Zowe is evolving at a fast pace! Check out the online Release Notes: https://docs.zowe.org/stable/getting-started/summaryofchanges.html. Since its initial release in February 2019, there has been new updates every month.

Zowe main components

Zowe Application Framework: A web user interface (UI) that provides a virtual desktop containing a number of apps allowing access to z/OS function. Base Zowe includes apps for traditional access such as a 3270 terminal and a VT Terminal, as well as an editor and explorers for working with JES, MVS Data Sets and Unix System Services.

API Mediation Layer: Provides a gateway that acts as a reverse proxy for z/OS services, together with a catalog of REST APIs and a dynamic discovery capability. Base Zowe provides core services for working with MVS Data Sets, JES, as well as working with z/OSMF REST APIs. The API Mediation Layer also provides a framework for Single Sign On (SSO).

Zowe CLI: Provides a command-line interface that lets you interact with the mainframe remotely and use common tools such as Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), shell commands, bash scripts, and build tools for mainframe development. It provides a set of utilities and services for application developers that want to become efficient in supporting and building z/OS applications quickly. The CLI provides a core set of commands for working with data sets, USS, JES, as well as issuing TSO and console commands.

Where to start?

The installation of Zowe™ consists of two independent processes:

1. installing Zowe runtime on z/OS 
• Install the Zowe Application Framework, the API Mediation Layer, and a number of micro services that provide capability to both.
• Install the Zowe Cross Memory Server. This is an authorized server application that provides privileged services to Zowe in a secure manner.
2. installing Zowe CLI on your computer (The Zowe CLI is not installed on z/OS and runs on a personal computer)

Installation Guide: https://docs.zowe.org/stable/user-guide/installandconfig.html

Upcoming Db2 and IMS conference in Prague - csDUG 2019

As what has become a tradition: we have started preparing this year's csDUG and we are very excited about our upcoming free-of-charge conference. Currently, we are in "call for papers" mode but it does not mean we are only waiting. csDUG 2019 will be divided into 3 tracks as it was last year: Db2 administration, Db2 AppDev and IMS track.

The conference will take place 10th October in Broadcom's R&D lab. Although precise agenda is work in progress, you can rest assured that the topics will be interesting and delivered by database professionals.

csDUG 2019 - The call for presentations is now opened !

Following our successful events in the past years, we are now planning the next csDUG conference!

This year, the conference will take place on 10^th October 2019 (Thursday) in The Park, Building 8, Prague 4 - Chodov.

We are opening the call for presentations on this event. Contact me to sign up (by direct email, using twitter @Db2forZ, or by leaving a comment to this page), it is enough to state the title of your presentation and also short description of the main objectives. The presentation should not be longer than 55 minutes, including Q&A.

This year, we are welcoming topics for Db2 Database Administrators and Db2 Application Developers, and IMS for z/OS

The call for presentations will be opened until 30^th August 2019.

The whole csDUG team is looking forward to our mutual cooperation!

The csDUG team

csDUG 2018

csDUG 2017

csDUG 2016

csDUG 2015

Top 5 moments from IDUG 2019 Charlotte

IDUG is certainly an invaluable occasion for Db2 professionals to regroup, socialize, network, and get some premium education about this Database Management System. IDUG is actually more than a group of people, it’s a real community of professionals who meet to help each other with the business challenges they face in their daily jobs.

Just saying, the Data in Db2 tables across the globe are critical for most Fortune 1000, and thus the world’s economy is dependent on Db2 availability, performance, recoverability, and security. IDUG helps those professionals working on Db2 (SYSPROGs, Database Administrators, Application Developers …) to maintain their skills to stay up for this challenge!

IDUG announced the location of next year Conference: Dallas !

IDUG Expo opening:
 Broadcom brought a NASCAR into their booth,
 and a legendary NASCAR Driver (Michael Waltrip)
to sign autographs (on Db2 for z/OS posters – lol!)

Example of Technical session:
Denis Tronin explains the API world of Db2

FUN with SQL : the most popular session at IDUG

IDUG Closing Keynote
 about the Open Mainframe project: Zowe

Also worth noting, Broadcom recently acquired CA Technologies, one of the leading Independent Software Vendors for Db2 for z/OS. David Stokes explained that Broadcom is doubling-down on the Mainframe during Monday’s Spotlight Lunch at IDUG:

Broadcom doubles down on the Mainframe

Retrospective of the Broadcom Users Day at SQL Adria Db2 event in Šibenik

SQL Adria (https://sqladria.net/) is the independent, non-profit organization that gathers relational database users for Croatia and Slovenia. It was founded 25 years ago, as a Db2 Regional User Group (RUG) of IDUG.

Since 2000, CA Technologies has been a proud sponsor of the summer event. At the end of last year, Broadcom acquired CA Technologies and so, nowadays, Broadcom is sponsoring SQL Adria. The first Day of the event (Sunday) is traditionally held by CA Technologies (a Broadcom Company), nowadays called the Broadcom Users Day.

Steve Thomas presents Broadcom to the audience,
explaining what it means to double-down on the Mainframe

Philippe Dubost presents the Vision and Strategy regarding to
Broadcom Database Management Solutions for Db2 for z/OS
(aka. Db2 Tools)

Denis Tronin explains our investments in the Open Mainframe area,
project ZOWE and Brightside.

Steve Thomas reveals new User Interfaces for Broadcom Db2 Tools

Emil Kotrc explains Continuous Delivery
in the Mainframe world to the SQL Adria audience

Tom Juhl discusses Mainframe Intelligent Technologies from Broadcom

Steve Thomas summarizes the latest new features
delivered in Broadcom Db2 Tools

On behalf of Broadcom, let me extend a big Thank You to the numerous Db2 for z/OS professional who decided to spend their Sunday to listen to our presentations at the Broadcom Users Day during SQL Adria !

Thank You!

IDUG Db2 Tech Conference in Malta – November 4-8

If you are not aware, the biggest Db2 conference in Europe is upcoming in a month. It takes place in Malta, over a week:

Established some 30+ years ago, IDUG stands for International Db2 Users Group, this non-profit organization aims to provide high quality education and services designed to promote the effective utilization of Db2.

By attending the next IDUG conference in Malta, you may expect the opportunity to:

• Meet and network with ~500 Db2 professionalsAttend best-in-class technical sessions
• Meet with Db2 vendors, consultants, and services companies at the Conference Booths
• Ask any question on your mind during the Expert Panels
• Pass complimentary Db2 Certifications
• Network and have fun at the Evening Vendor networking events
• Meet me at the conference and it will be my pleasure to introduce you with the Conference Chair, Mateja Jankovic.

Learn more and register for IDUG Malta at https://www.idug.org/emea2018

Top Tips:

1. IDUG is not only a set of events, it’s also a website full of valuable content: https://www.idug.org
2. Make sure to register to the Db2-L list-serv (forum)
3. Learn about Db2 on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/IDUGDB2/
4. Register to another great Db2 site : http://www.worldofdb2.com/

6th csDUG Conference: A great success!

The 6th csDUG Conference happened yesterday (Sept 25), in Prague.

This year, in addition to the traditionnal 2 Db2 tracks (Database Administrators and Database Developers), we had a third track, focusing on IMS. The conference was attended by 70 Db2 and/or IMS users, mainly from Czech Republic and Slovakia. The event was held in the CA Technologies lab in Chodov, and was sponsored by CA Technologies and IBM. Thanks to all the speakers who made the trip to share their expertise and give presentations about Db2 for z/OS and IMS.

A few pictures from the sessions

Db2 12 Continuous Delivery by Emil Kotrc

IMS Continuous Delivery by Deepak Kohli

Db2 for z/OS zPARMs by Rodolfo Custodio

Db2 for z/OS Optimizer presentation by Michal Bialecki

Proactive Management using Analytics by Steen Rasmussen

Group Picture at the 6th csDUG Conference

Additional pictures of the event can be found at https://twitter.com/search?q=csDUG

Presentations available here : https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iJFqTR2gMlb0Od4Ih31TTW6sbevxom56?usp=sharing

If you missed the conference this year you will have opportunity to attend next year. As we shape the next event, we would like to hear from you with your preferred city (Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Bratislava, or ...), the most convenient time of year for you, and what topics are you interested in.

If you attended the Conference, feel free to leave a comment below to indicate, for example, which session / presenter you enjoyed the most !