As mentioned in earlier blog entries WebSphere MQ for z/VSE 3.0 will be withdrawn from service (end of service) on September 30, 2015. You may use the MQ Client for VSE instead. Therefore we asked customers, what most important functionality they would need, when using the MQ Client instead of the WebSphere MQ Server. It turned out, that it is the trigger function. That is to get informed, when a new message arrives on the queue.   That function will provide the MQ trigger monitor. If a message arrives on a WebSphere MQ server... [More]

Tags:  end-of-service vse service ptf mq apar support

My recommendation is to run your z/VSE system in a supported environment to benefit from the latest software service and hardware exploitation. If your systems are still on z/VSE Version 4 or earlier, you may be interested in this short blog entry. z/VSE 4.3's service will end on October 31, 2014. Then all z/VSE Version 4 releases are out of service. That is if you want to stay in a supported environment, you have 6 month to migrate to z/VSE 5.1 or z/VSE 5.2. If you don't want to migrate to z/VSE 5.2 at this time, you have only a few... [More]

Tags:  vse service migration end-of-service end-of-marketing

Important info on APAR PM80542/UK91650 - see also z/VSE hot service news : The description for APAR PM80542 is here . With APAR PM80542/UK91650, which was included in z/VSE 5.1.2 Upgrade, the transaction security phase DTSECTXN was delivered by error. This phase will get active in the system replacing transaction security settings for IBM provided transactions in case the new security concept based on BSTCNTL definition is used. If not yet migrated to the new concept it will even replace all customer defined transaction security... [More]

Tags:  security apar service ptf vse

I am back from vacation and had a good time, but it was too short as always ;-) I hope, you enjoyed summer too.   I am not sure, if you have seen the z/VSE RSL (Recommended Service Level) blog entry I posted during my vacation. You can get the RSLs here .   Let's start with an exciting topic. The new mainframe - IBM z14 - is available today. For a quick overview about the z14 please see the announcement letter here . z14 IBM Redbooks are available too to get deep insight into z14 technology. The z14 Redbook page is here . In my... [More]

Tags:  z14 psp availability mainframe service rsl support

Last week I mentioned the IBM TCP/IP for z/VSE 2.1 refresh in my z/VSE service news blog entry . However, I believe we should promote the refresh in a separate blog entry, because of its security enhancement.   The refresh updates the IBM product to the TCP/IP for z/VSE 2.1 to the 2.1.7 level plus a few fixes. The demo mode is removed. If you don't have valid license keys (see my related blog entry ), you may get messages: IPN110E Product key validation failed for Stack IPN103E TCP/IP Unable to... [More]

Tags:  tcpip service apar security vse tls support refresh

I hope, that your system runs always without any problems. However, just in case you got a problem and my z/VSE Level 2 colleagues ask to send data to analyze the problem such as dumps, traces, etc., this blog entry may be useful. If you reported the problem and before sending a dump, the Level 2 person will give you the PMR (Problem Management Record) number, target FTP server or any other information to send the requested information. If you send information via FTP, you may send it in binary format (VSE dump library or stand alone dump) or... [More]

Tags:  dump problem vse pmr service

The SIR Attention Routine (console) command provides important information about your system.    Just use the SIR with out a parameter or SIR SYS to display the following information on the console:   (VM) CPUID and VSE CPUID - CPUID composed of the CPU Identification Number along with the Version Code followed by the Model Number your native system is running on. VSE CPUID shows the virtual CPUID, if the z/VSE system is running in a z/VM guest. PROCESSOR=  processor type and serial number LPAR=  No=  LPAR... [More]

Tags:  information service sir vse command service_level

On November 7 I described How to get PTFs received from Shopz to z/VSE . Today I want to add how to get around a problem that might happen, if you apply a High Level Assembler (HLASM) PTF.   If you use the z/VSE IUI dialog to apply PTFs: 1 Installation - 4 IBM Service - 2 PTF Handling - Apply PTFs and submit the prepared job, the job consists of several job steps.  If you create that job to apply High Level Assembler (HLASM) PTFs containing I-books, the job step DTRPTF05 may fail with:  ... [More]

Tags:  support iui apar vse ptf service hlasm assembler

I assume this topic is not new to you. I just want to point out, where you can get information about IBM Shopz, how to order the z/VSE base system and products, PTFs or service refreshes. With Shopz you can order z/VSE base tapes, optional products, preventive service (Hiper PTFs), corrective service (PTFs, APARs). If you order z/VSE base tapes or optional products, you may get a CD-ROM/DVD or download a file containing a tape image in AWSTAPE format. If you order z/VSE service, you get a binary job stream with the PTF. More information is on... [More]

Tags:  vse shopz ptf service order

With the Attention Routine command SIR (System Information Report) you can retrieve system information about your z/VSE system. SIR ? or SIR HELP shows all SIR commands. Some commands provide status, others monitoring information. Today I want to highlight the SIR SYS command, which provide information such as the processor you are running on and service information. Below is a sample output of my system. Line one to six show The CPUID of the processor and the CPUID of the z/VM guest, The processor model and LPAR name, The CPUs in LPAR and... [More]

Tags:  service vse sir

If you have problem with your z/VSE system (such as a system hang, soft- or hardwait) and contact the z/VSE Service (Level 2) Team, you are often asked to run a debug trace and try to reproduce the problem. The debug trace area is allocated in the Shared Virtual Getvis Area (31 bit). If the problem reoccurs, z/VSE Level 2 asks to send a standalone or system (AR) dump, which includes the debug trace area. Debug traces system events and records registers and control data. With that information you or the Level 2 team may get closer to the cause... [More]

Tags:  console supervisor command attention_routine debug trace service vse ar documentation

Since June z/VSE products and PTFs are no longer delivered on tape, if you order them via IBM Shopz. Your oder will be provided on DVD or over the internet.    A PTF shipment consists of a readme, cover letter file and PTF file. The PTF file contains ordered PTFs. The PTF file needs to be transferred to z/VSE. It is recommended to transfer it to a pre-defined VSE(VSAM file called IJSYSPF (PTF.FILE) or access it via the z/VSE remote Virtual Tape Support.  This file is used by he PTF application dialog (1 Installation -> 4 IBM... [More]

Tags:  hints application service vse tips article technical ptf shopz

The Maintain System History Program (MSHP) can be used to retrieve a list of z/VSE products or components. MSHP is a service program to service and install IBM products. Installed components / products (parts) are registered in the System History File named IJSYSHF.. It is a permanent file that reflects the information about the parts contained in your system and the service applied to them. All changes made to your system via MSHP commands are recorded in the System History File. You may use the MSHP RETRACE PRODUCTS statement to print... [More]

Tags:  product service vse mshp

If you want to upgrade to a new z/VSE release, preferred z/VSE 6.2, you usually check, if your ISV (Vendor) software requires any updates. I hope we made it a bit easier to find the corresponding information on the z/VSE Vendor product status web pages.   All listed vendors support the z/VSE releases in service - z/VSE 5.2, z/VSE 6.1, z/VSE 6.2.   You can find this web page here .

Tags:  support vse isv vendor service

I wasn't in the office the last two days, because of a public holiday. Therefore you did not see blog entries on Monday and Tuesday.   In today's blog entry I want to inform you, where to find lifecycle information of a given product. Sometimes you may want to know, e.g. if a product's end of service date is announced.   One of the software support pages show the lifecycle dates of IBM software products. You can search for the product or just browse the lifecycle information of all products - "Software A - Z". If... [More]

Tags:  service support lifecycle vse

Since z/VSE 6.2 we support the standalone dump on SCSI disks in addition to ECKD disks. More and more z/VSE users create the standalone dump on disk instead of tape. Before you create a standalone dump on disk with the DOSVSDMP utility or the dialog. There is always the question about the size of the disk. The size is dependent on the virtual storage you are interested in. Besides the shared areas, there may be partitions, data spaces and memory objects. You can specify the priority of partitions, data spaces and memory objects with the OPTION... [More]

Tags:  vse dump stand-alone_dump service

Today I have an interesting topic, that I found when browsing through the IBM Redbook library.   Since some weeks there is a continuous delivery (CD) IBM Redpaper for z/OS available: IBM z/OS Continuous Delivery . You can download it here .   Continuous delivery will be a new model, that allows to provide new functions more frequently. That is you don't need to wait until a new version or release is available. It reduces the risk of introducing a large change at release level (may avoid version / release migration effort).  ... [More]

Tags:  redpaper support continuous_delivery service vse

An updated fix list for the CICS Transaction Server for VSE/ESA V1.1.1 is available. You can find it here .

Tags:  service apar cics vse

Yesterday there were end of service announcements that may be of interest for you. The corresponding announcement letter is here .   The first one is related to z/VM 5.4 : z/VM 5.4 will be withdrawn from service on December 31, 2017. This is a change to the previously announced withdrawal of service for IBM z/VM, V5.4, announced in Software Announcement 208-249, dated August 5, 2008. Withdrawal of service for IBM z/VM 5.4 will no longer be associated with withdrawing support for the z9 EC and z9 BC. The replacement product is z/VM V6.... [More]

Tags:  vm end-of-service zvm support ncp service vse

On March 12 I  informed you, that the z/VSE 6.2 order together with the PTFs was rejected. See may blog entry - here . That is if you specify REF.   Now this issue is fixed and you can use REF as usual. With this field you get all PTFs since z/VSE 6.2.0 together with your z/VSE 6.2 order. However, this will just be a very few PTFs.

Tags:  support ref order ptf vse service shops

I recommend to upgrade to z/VSE 6.2 as soon as possible to stay in a serviced environment for a long term, because z/VSE 5.2 service ends October 31, 2018 and z/VSE 6.1 service ends June 30, 2019.   You can order z/VSE 6.2 via IBM Shopz - here . You need to license all products that you require on z/VSE 6.2, even if they come with the z/VSE 6.2 base or extended base, such as CICS TS for z/VSE 2.2, IBM TCP/IP for z/VSE 2.2 or IBM IPv6/VSE 1.3 - see the z/VSE 6.2 Program Directory for details -  here .   If you want to order z/VSE... [More]

Tags:  upgrade shopz support vse service migration

Traditionally you use the Fast Service Upgrade (FSU) process to upgrade your system to the current maintenance level. That is you perform an FSU to install a new modification level of z/VSE (or service refresh). If you want to upgrade to z/VSE 5.2 you have 2 options: initial installation or Fast Service Upgrade. That is you may use the FSU process too to upgrade e.g. z/VSE 4.3 or z/VSE 5.1 to z/VSE 5.2. The FSU process can be started with our IUI dialogs. Unlike an initial installation, the FSU does not replace user data and hardware... [More]

Tags:  vse upgrade refresh fast_service_upgrade service installation fsu

One more blog entry for the weekend. You may use the IBM Support Portal to verify, if a problem is already know and an APAR is available. The link to the portal is here . You may start with the selection of the product, that you want to search for. Just select e.g. IBM Operating Systems -> z/VSE, then enter the symptoms of your problem in the search field. That is you could search for a specific abend, or message number, or component id and so on. E.g. if you have an abend in CICS related to VSAM access, you could search for "vsam abend... [More]

Tags:  portal vse support service apar

The CICS Web Support (CWS) was introduced in September 2000 together with CICS Transaction Server for VSE/ESA 1.1.1 (CICS TS) and VSE/ESA 2.5. Since then HTTP requests can be sent directly from the Web browser to the CICS TS without the need for an intermediate gateway. CICS processes the request and returns the results to the Web browser. The addition of EXEC CICS application programming interface commands for the manipulation of web entities allows the definition and management of HTML files. How does it work ? A Web browser is an HTTP... [More]

Tags:  apar cics service vse tcpip cws

Today it's again hot in southern Germany - 37 C, about 99 F. ... and we don't have air conditioning. If you use DL/I on z/VSE, this blog entry might be of interest for you. Just if you are not that familiar with DL/I VSE, it's the short form of "Data Language One". DL/I VSE is the hierarchical database management system for z/VSE.   More information about DL/I is here . Just about 2 weeks ago I mentioned a Debug Tool APAR, that is required to use it on z/VSE 6.1 - see here . Now we adapted DL/I for z/VSE 6.1 and... [More]

Tags:  support apar service vse dli

Last year I had already a blog entry on this subject. Just last weeks I had multiple enquiries about "Concurrent Microcode upgrade with z/VSE" for IBM System Storage. Therefore I re-post this topic today.   z/VSE does not support concurrent microcode upgrade during a z/VSE system is active. Therefore I strongly recommend to shutdown the z/VSE system(s) for disk storage microcode upgrades, do the upgrade and re-ipl the z/VSE system. I would not plan the upgrade, if dependent z/VSE systems are still active.   The following... [More]

Tags:  concurrent update vse service tape support microcode upgrade disk

Today I looked into the CICS for VSE information on our support web pages. I found some page that might also be of interest for you: End of service dates for all CICS products Hiper APARs for CICS products CICS product fix list - I mentioned that one in earlier posts. Mapping CICS releases from APARs and PTFs to CICS external versions Steps to get support for CICS

Tags:  vse cics service support ptf end-of-service apar

An updated CICS Explorer client is available for download. It is available for z/VSE and z/OS (same client). The download link is on the CICS Explorer support page - here . The CICS Explorer consist of  the CICS Explorer client and the CICS Transaction Server (CICS TS) server extension, which is the system management component of CICS TS. The client can run on any supported workstation. The server extension was delivered as PTF for CICS TS for VSE/ESA 1.1.1 and is integrated into CICS TS for z/VSE 2.1. The client connects via TCP/IP to the... [More]

Tags:  explorer service support vse cics cics-explorer

The answer is yes. We implemented a connector that allows to redirect all accesses to a VSAM file into any other file system or database on any other Java-enabled platform. The connector is called VSAM Redirector connector - available since VSE/ESA 2.6.. The VSAM Redirector consits of two parts: The VSAM Redirector Client (part of z/VSE) is an exit program running on z/VSE. It is called for each VSAM request and forwards it to the VSAM Redirector Server. The VSAM Redirector Server (downloadable from our web page) is running on a Java enabled... [More]

Tags:  vse service connector vsam redirector