Continuous Enhancements (post-GA service-level)

This topic lists all the new functions or enhancements that are incorporated into IBM Z System Automation 4.4.0, since it was generally available (GA) on October 24, 2025.

OA65704 – Migration to Java 17 (April 2024)

Starting from APAR OA65704, Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 17 or higher is required to use the components of System Automation Operations REST Server, System Automation Info Broker, and Policy Services Provider. If you have used any of these components with an older Java version, proceed with the migration steps in Planning and Installation.

Preview the functions of System Automation Operations REST API (April 2024)

The Operations REST Server component of IBM Z System Automation provides an API that allows developers of other programs or products to integrate System Automation operations as part of their workflow. Detailed documentation of the Operations REST API is accessible through a built-in Swagger UI, which becomes available after the Operations REST Server component is started.

For users who want to preview the API functions without installing the required component, a copy of the API documentation is added. However, it's for preview purpose only. If you want to execute the endpoints or integrate with other products, see Step 29: Configure and Run the System Automation Operations REST Server.

OA66029 – Enhancement to dynamic resource documentation (Feb 2024)

Automation managers and agents uniquely identify static resources (created in the policy) and dynamic resources (created with INGDYN) by their names. You should avoid name conflicts of static and dynamic resources. In case you want to turn a dynamic resource to static, you need to manually delete the dynamic resource. The reasons to do so and how to do it are explained in "Dynamic resources" in IBM Z System Automation User's Guide.

OA65978 – Enhancement to policy browse mode (Jan 2024)

Previously in IBM Z® System Automation 4.3, when you were browsing the policy and then used an entry type as a fast path (such as =APL), the policy was switched to the edit mode without any warning.

To avoid that you might accidentally change the policy when you assume that you're browsing it, the handling of the primary panel and commands on the Customization Dialog is changed in APAR OA65978. If you want to switch from browse mode to edit mode, you need to explicitly add the edit option (1, E, or EDIT). A notification message is also added on the panel to indicate that the policy has been switched to edit mode.

For more information, see "How to Use an Entry Type as a Fast Path" in IBM Z System Automation Defining Automation Policy.

Service Management Unite V1.1.11.0 (Dec 2023)

You can now view your IBM Z System Automation policy reports and refresh System Automation policies through IBM® Service Management Unite.

  • Support for viewing System Automation policy database reports:

    A new Manage IBM Z System Automation Policies dashboard allows you to refresh policy databases and view detailed policy reports.

  • Support for refreshing System Automation policies:

    You can refresh the System Automation policy configuration with the Refresh Policy Configuration operation through Service Management Unite.

See What's new in V1.1.11.0 for more information.

Definition of group recovery mode (Nov 23)

To learn how IBM Z System Automation recovers from application or system failures and when an application group enters and remains in the recovery mode, see "Group Recovery Mode" in User's Guide.

OA64126 – PassTicket support for INGOMX (Nov 23)

With APAR OA64126, IBM Z System Automation has enhanced the INGOMX command to exploit PassTickets to authenticate the user that attempts to log in to OMEGAMON or make a SOAP request. This feature avoids storing password credentials in clear or managing the passwords by using the System Automation's password data set.

To use the PassTicket function, first complete the setup as described in Authentication using PassTickets.

To use PassTickets for OMEGAMON classic sessions, specify the SAF application ID and the new keyword PTKT as the password in the OMEGAMON SESSIONS Policy Item.

To use PassTickets for SOAP requests, specify the SAF application ID and the new keyword PTKT as the password in the SOAP SERVER Policy Item if the SOAP server is defined in the policy. If the SOAP server is not defined in the policy, specify the credentials in the INGOMX command line.

Service Management Unite V1.1.10.1 (September 2023)

This information contains an overview of the major changes in IBM Service Management Unite Automation V1.1.10.1.
  • SA z/OS® request dialog enhancements:
    • Added the Ignore suspended automation option for the SA z/OS request dialog.
    • Added the Only Children option for the SA z/OS stop/restart request dialog.
  • Added support for special characters in dynamic resource template names.

Processor hardware connection security considerations (July 2023)

If your organization requires TLS-level security for hardware automation connections, ensure that you're aware of these security considerations.

OA64366 – Updated version of System Automation Plug-in for Zowe CLI (Mar 2023)

OA64366 includes an updated version of System Automation Plug-in for Zowe™ CLI. This plug-in contains the following changes compared to its prior version:
  • This plug-in supports and requires the current version of Zowe CLI, LTS Version 2. It cannot be installed on Zowe CLI LTS Version 1. For more information about how to install or update Zowe CLI, see Zowe documentation.
  • The plug-in now supports the new way of configuration not using the deprecated profiles anymore. Credentials are now stored securely in the Zowe CLI built-in credential store. No additional installed credential store plug-in is required any longer. For more information, see Initializing team configuration in Zowe documentation.
  • The zowe sa list templates command now supports a new option --showinstances. As shown in this example, you can use this option to easily list all dynamic resource instances that are created based on a specific template.
    PS C:\user\0123456789> zowe sa ls tmp --name=T_NONMVS --showinstances
name             timestamp           status    Comment
DYNTST1/APL/SYS1 2023-03-13T17:43:24 OK        
DYNTST2/APL/SYS1 2023-03-14T14:08:04 OK

For more information about how to install this plug-in, see Install System Automation Plug-in for Zowe CLI.

Service Management Unite V1.1.10 (March 2023)

You can now disable the Manage Schedules function based on your needs. To disable the Manage Schedule function, you must enter the SMU container, set the enable-manage-schedule=false in cfg/eez.enable.properties. The change takes effect immediately and you do not need to restart SMU container. See How to: Manage automation schedules for more information.

OA62518 – Enhancements to System Automation Data Store, Info Broker, and Operations REST API (Feb 2023)

OA62518 delivers the following enhancements to IBM Z System Automation 4.3.0. In order to use any of these new features, you must use and adapt the latest configuration files.
  • Changes for System Automation Data Store
    • Added support for user-specific JVM options in the 'ing.datastore.environment' file. 
      # Add optional user specified java options
USR_JOPT="$USR_JOPT -Xms64m"
USR_JOPT="$USR_JOPT -Xmx512m"
    • Added system symbol support for environment setup (ing.datastore.environment) and all properties available at JVM runtime (ing.datastore.properties). To enable this feature, set the following new property in the 'ing.datastore.environment' file to true. For more information, see System Symbol Support for System Automation Data Store.
      # Enable system symbol support. [true/false]
ENABLE_SYSTEM_SYMBOL_SUPPORT=true
  • Changes for System Automation Info Broker
    • Added support for user-specific JVM options in the 'ing.infobroker.environment' file. 
      # Add optional user specified java options
USR_JOPT="$USR_JOPT -Xms64m"
USR_JOPT="$USR_JOPT -Xmx512m"
    • Added system symbol support for environment setup (ing.infobroker.environment) and all properties available at JVM runtime (ing.infobroker.properties, ing.infobroker.security.properties). To enable this feature, navigate to the file 'ing.infobroker.environment' and set the following new property to true. For more information, see System Symbol Support for System Automation Info Broker.
      # Enable system symbol support [true/false].
ENABLE_SYSTEM_SYMBOL_SUPPORT=true
  • Changes for System Automation Operations REST Server
    • RACF key rings are now supported by default. Support for ICSF (z/OS Integrated Cryptographic Service Facility) key rings can be enabled with the new option in the 'ing.operations.environment' file. For more information, see Configure the properties for using RACF or ICSF key rings.
      # Enable optional key ring support
ENABLE_KEYRING_SUPPORT=true

# IBM's crypto provider for RACF key ring
IBM_CRYPTO_PROVIDER=”com.ibm.crypto.provider”
# IBM's crypto provider for ICSF key ring
# IBM_CRYPTO_PROVIDER=”com.ibm.crypto.hdwrCCA.provider”
    • Added support for user-specific JVM options in the 'ing.operations.environment' file. 
      # Add optional user specified java options
USR_JOPT="$USR_JOPT -Xms64m"
USR_JOPT="$USR_JOPT -Xmx512m"
    • Added system symbol support for environment setup (ing.operations.environment) and all properties available at JVM runtime (ing.operations.properties, ing.operations.security.properties). For more information, see System Symbol Support for Operations REST Server.
    • Added an endpoint "GET /templates/{templateId}/instances" to list all the dynamic resource instances or those that are created based on a specific template.
    • Added a security feature Rate Limiter, which controls the maximum number of calls you want to allow in a particular time interval for the Operations REST API. For more information, see Rate Limiter.
      Note: Rate Limiter is a breaking change as it can cause issues for client applications that do not handle the appropriate HTTP error code.

OA64276 – Processor Operations returns additional IBM z16 System Recovery Boost information (Feb 2023)

Additional System Recovery Boost attributes were introduced in IBM z16®, for example, total boost time or remaining boost time for the CPC image. This APAR OA64276 enables IBM Z System Automation Processor Operations to return those additional attributes.

You can use the STATUS option of the GETIBOOST common command to query System Recovery Boost information. If the target hardware supports the additional System Recovery Boost attributes, they are returned as part of the ISQ900I system console message.

OA64035 – Processor Operations enhancements (Dec 2022)

This APAR OA64035 enables two new features for IBM z16 in IBM Z System Automation Processor Operations:

  • Support for IBM Z Flexible Capacity for Cyber Resiliency

    IBM Z Flexible Capacity for Cyber Resiliency is a new Capacity on Demand offering available on IBM z16™ servers. It enables you to shift capacity between participating IBM z16 machines at different sites and use the target configuration for up to one year. System Automation has been enhanced through OA64035 to support this new type of temporary capacity. You can use the ISQCCMD TCM command to add or remove temporary capacity for specific target hardware, and use the ISQCCMD TCDATA command to query the status and settings for a specific temporary capacity record.

  • Activate LPAR with Load Parameters in ProcOps

    This enhancement enables you to specify load parameters in the ACTIVATE command and perform both ACTIVATE and LOAD in one go.

OA63123 – Alternative Db2 data store of dynamic resources (Dec 2022)

The dynamic resources which are instantiated from templates by the INGDYN command are not part of the automation policy. They are previously stored and persisted in the System Automation data store only. This internal data store is a Java™ address space that is managed by System Automation, running once in every SAplex.

Now with OA63123, System Automation implements IBM Db2® for z/OS as an alternative option to store dynamic resources. It's only backend enhancement, without any changes to the INGDYN command. This Db2 backend option can bring you these benefits:

  • High availability when using data sharing group.
  • No need to manage additional (Java) address space(s) in the PDB.
  • Improved INGDYN performance.
  • Shifting processing away from NetView to Db2 engine by using stored procedures.
If you choose Db2 as the database, follow the configuration step "Configure Db2 as an alternative database of dynamic resources" in Planning and Installation.
Note: It doesn't allow you to switch back and forth between the database. It just allows you to choose between the two possibilities. Once you choose between any one, the data would be fetched and inserted into the database chosen.

Currently, there is no migration path from the internal data store to Db2. So if you choose Db2, you have to reconfigure and start anew.

Service Management Unite Enhancements (Dec 2022)

This information contains an overview of the major changes in IBM Service Management Unite Automation V1.1.9.2.
  • Renamed the container command line utility eezdocker to eezcontainer to be independent of the underlying container runtime environment.
  • Added the "Set Runmode" function. You can specify the name of the RunMode that you want to set, and the resources that are not qualified for the currently active RunMode will be stopped.

OA63831 – INGPLEX Enhancements (Nov 2022)

The following two enhancements are shipped with OA63831:

  • Support new couple data set (CDS) types: LOGRY and LOGRZ
    • The INGPLEX CDS command now supports the new CDS types, LOGRY and LOGRZ, which are introduced in z/OS 2.4 and used specifically in GDPS KSYS environments. In addition, a EHLQ column is added on the LOGRx Couple Data Set Information panel, which is displayed via INGPLEX CDS TYPE=LOGRx (LOGRx refers to LOGR, LOGRY, or LOGRZ).
    • The SYSPLEX Policy Item panel is also changed, where you can specify additional LOGRY and LOGRZ data sets and alternative volumes. The policy is automatically converted when you're using a Customization Dialog at OA63831 service level.
      Note: Create a backup of your policy database. Once a policy is converted, it cannot be opened with a back-level dialog.
  • The INGPLEX SYS command can display additional System Recovery Boost status in the new Boost column.

In addition, OA63831 introduces function level 3 to support new INGPLEX SYS and INGPLEX CDS columns. Make sure that all systems are at the current OA63831 service level before you set the function level to 3 in your NetView initialization member INGXINIT.

OA63538 – Enhanced inheritance of DB2 CONTROL policy item fields (Oct 2022)

With OA63538, inheritance rule of the DB2 CONTROL policy item is enhanced. Data in this policy item is now inherited per individual field, independent from each other. If you override any inherited values, those attributes become specific to that particular instance. Other attributes that are not overridden continue to inherit values from the linked class. This enhancement provides you more flexibility to define common attributes at class level, and override some attributes at instance level. For more details, see DB2 CONTROL Policy Item.

OA63014 – Policy Services Provider enhancements (July 2022)

With OA63014, the following enhancements are incorporated into the Policy Services Provider component.

  • Two new parameters are added into the configuration file ing.policyservices.environment to support different character encoding. 
    ing.input.encoding=IBM-1047 
ing.output.encoding=UTF-8
  • Policy Services Provider's job log is optimized to eliminate redundant logging.

Service Management Unite V1.1.9.1 (June 2022)

  • Improved the credential store handling to avoid that user IDs used to log in to the domain get revoked due to too many incorrect automatic login attempts after a credential change.
  • Enhanced the Canzlog dashboard by supporting any date formats that are configured in IBM Z® NetView®, with APAR OA63249 installed in IBM Z System Automation.
  • Enhanced the Restart and Request stop functions by showing affected resources (similar to what is shown by the INGREQ command) before you restart or stop a resource.

INGDYN enhancements (April-July 2022)

  • With OA63309: Communication between INGDYN and the System Automation data store is enhanced to improve INGDYN performance.
  • With OA63122: INGDYN CREATE now allows you to create a resource in the LINE mode only based on the latest template in the system. You can also use the same filters on the CREATE action as same as the LIST and INFO actions.
  • With OA613019, a new RESOURCE parameter is added into the INGDYN command syntax, which you can use to list all generated resources for a certain template.

OA62554 – Processor Operations ISQSTOP enhancements (April 2022)

Previously, Processor Operations shutdown that was triggered by the ISQSTOP command might hang because some autotasks could not be stopped gracefully. For a proper cleanup of the Processor Operations environment, Processor Operations shutdown processing has been enhanced with OA62554 to identify hanging autotasks and force stop them if appropriate.

For these identified hanging autotasks, Processor Operations issues STOP FORCE=taskname commands, which might be issued twice, to force the autotasks to stop. If NetView indicates that the autotasks could be stopped in a normal manner, Processor Operations issues STOP TASK=taskname commands instead. The shutdown processing might be delayed up to 3 minutes. As a result of a STOP FORCE command, the corresponding autotask might abend with a system code X'EC4'.