Understanding the Processor Operations Hybrid SNMP Interface

The IBM Z mainframe hardware family provides an operations management application programming interface, the IBM Z SNMP API. This interface uses a SNMP MIB based data model that is stored on the Support Elements or Hardware Management Consoles of the IBM Z mainframes. This API provides access to its functions and data by either an IP network, or the BCP internal interface (BCPii).

SNMP over IP

The IP network access allows you to address Support Elements or Hardware Management Consoles, using the available IP network infrastructure.

SNMP over BCPii

The BCPii access is bound to Support Elements only, without requiring any IP network infrastructure outside of IBM Z's own processor LAN.

At runtime, ProcOps can use only one access path to an IBM Z. For an inactive connection, its predefined access paths can be switched, which allows a hybrid connection operation mode. ProcOps itself remains up and running to service other active connections.

For IBM Z hardware operations management tasks like ACTIVATE, Temporary Capacity Change, SYSRESET, or LOAD, you can use the various ProcOps connection paths to fulfill different security demands for operations management automation.