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MRI for Db2 Tips & Tricks

By Lukas Patera
It has been over three years since the introduction of the MRI Db2 for z/OS Solutions Report . This report helps you quickly assess the complexity and size of your Db2 environment, provides zPARM recommendations for performance enhancements, and offers various other useful metrics. The report helps database, management, and storage administrators, and application developers with future migration planning such as readiness for Db2 13 migration. You can enable trend reporting to track and graph comparative historical data over time. To ensure the optimal experience with the Db2 for z/OS Solutions Report, we have gathered feedback from our customers and ...
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Enabling Restart Support for IDMS Applications with Smart/RESTART

By Aysen Solak
Smart/RESTART, with its z/OS Resource Recovery Services (RRS) integration, now offers basic support for IDMS applications that run on an RRS-enabled IDMS Central Version (CV). This blog post aims to explain how to make IDMS applications restart-enabled by leveraging Smart/RESTART. While DB2 is still required for synchronization control, the IDMS application itself doesn't need any DB2 references or coding. The DB2 repository access is implicit and driven through RRS API calls for commits or rollbacks. IDMS-Only Scenario: To restart-enable an IDMS application, it must be designed around the concept of a Unit of Work (UOW) where the database objects ...
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NEW: CA Database Analyzer™ for Db2 for z/OS Enhanced with Support for LISTDEF for Multiple Action Procedures and Utility Codes

By Jakub Hofman
We are pleased to announce that CA Database Analyzer™ for DB2 for z/OS now supports the use of LISTDEF to generate JCL to execute multiple utilities in the order that you specify. Each utility uses one or more steps in the generated action JCL to process the specified list (or lists) of objects. Previously, you could only select one utility code and tie one action procedure to an extract procedure to take advantage of LISTDEF statements. Now, you can select multiple utility codes in one action procedure, or can tie multiple action procedures (that include multiple utility codes) to an extract procedure. The Db2 Image Copy (IC), REORG (RO), and RUNSTATS (RS) ...
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New version of Smart/RESTART

By Jan Marek
Our team is excited to announce that Smart/RESTART version 20.0 is now publicly available. Relational Architects International (RAI) joined Broadcom Mainframe Software Division on December 17, 2020. RAI’s premier technology, nowadays called Smart/RESTART, is applicable across all industries and mainframe environments where Db2 or IMS applications are used. Customers continue to face vanishing batch windows and stringent SLA requirements. Our new solution improves operations efficiency and financial performance for the business. It enables faster transaction throughput by eliminating the need for applications to back out and redo successfully processed ...
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NEW: CA Database Analyzer™ for Db2 for z/OS Enhanced with Support for LISTDEF in Image Copy Action JCL

By Jakub Hofman
We are pleased to announce that CA Database Analyzer™ for DB2 for z/OS now supports the use of LISTDEF to execute Image Copy (IC) against a list of objects in one step. Previously, you could only execute RUNSTATS against the objects in a LISTDEF in one step. A new model member (MJULDIC) is provided to create action JCL to execute Image Copy with a LISTDEF statement. You can use the LISTDEF_STEP_LIMIT parameter in the PDA parmlib member or model members to control the number of objects that are processed per step. LISTDEF statements allow for greater concurrency during executions. PTF that unlocks LISTDEF to execute Image Copy feature is LU00890. In case you ...
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NEW: CA Log Analyzer Gains I/O Saving Option

By Jakub Hofman
We are pleased to announce that we released new Bypass Extract feature in CA Log Analyzer for Db2 for z/OS (PLA) that lets you avoid this unnecessary reading and writing. Thus, you save I/O operations, CPU, and Elapsed Time. PLA uses the extract file to store filtered data from the Db2 log. The extract file is a pair of datasets. You can use permanent datasets to generate different reports over the same log range or for future auditing purposes (the extract file is much smaller than Db2 log, since it contains required log data only). Often, you do not need the extract file and you are using temporal datasets. But PLA still writes all the filtered data into the ...
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NEW: CA Database Analyzer™ for Db2 for z/OS Enhanced with Capture Threshold Values for Action Procedures

By Jakub Hofman
CA Database Analyzer now gives you the ability to capture the threshold (condition) values of database objects that are selected for actions based on the conditions in action procedures tied to an extract procedure with Real Time Object Selection (RTOS). Previously, you could only capture threshold values for objects selected by extract procedures. Now, you can capture threshold values that trigger action procedures tied to an extract procedure. You can generate a CTV report of the condition values that are met by your RTOS extract procedures and the condition values that are met by action procedures tied to extract procedures. You can then tune your selection ...
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NEW: CA Fast Unload® for DB2 for z/OS Supports zIIP for Unload Data from Versioned Tables

By Jakub Hofman
CA Fast Unload® for DB2 for z/OS now supports the use of the IBM System z Integrated Information Processor (zIIP) when you unload data from versioned tables. Previously, zIIP support was not available for unloads from rows in multiple tablespace versions. Now, zIIP support is provided for versioned tables. Offloading zIIP-eligible workloads to zIIP processors can reduce the processing load on your general CPUs. zIIP functionality is enabled by default. Use the zIIP keyword in the SYSIN DD or in hlq .CDBAPARM(PFU) to control zIIP processing. PFT: LU00216
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NEW: Support for LISTDEF in RUNSTATS Action JCL

By Jakub Hofman
Support for LISTDEF in RUNSTATS Action CA Database Analyzer™ for DB2 for z/OS now supports the use of LISTDEF to execute RUNSTATS against a list of objects in one step. The generated action JCL contains a LIST keyword followed by the LISTDEF statement for each RUNSTATS control statement. A new model member (MJULDRS) and new automatic symbolics are provided to create action JCL to execute RUNSTATS on the objects defined in a LISTDEF. You can use LISTDEF to allow for greater concurrency during executions. To take advantage of this feature, specify U (Update) in the Job Generation Parms field on the Build Extract Procedures panel, then specify Y (Yes) in the Order ...
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NEW: CA Fast Unload® for DB2 for z/OS Supports zIIP for Unload from Image Copies

By Jakub Hofman
CA Fast Unload® for DB2 for z/OS now supports the use of the IBM System z Integrated Information Processor (zIIP) when you unload data from image copies. Previously, zIIP support was only available for INPUT-FORMAT TABLE. Now, zIIP support is provided for all INPUT-FORMAT values. Offloading zIIP-eligible workloads to zIIP processors can reduce the processing load on your general CPUs. We yielded good performance gains in controlled lab environment, however your results may vary based on many factors such as z/OS environment, application workload and others. zIIP functionality is enabled by default. Use the zIIP keyword in the SYSIN DD or in hlq.CDBAPARM(PFU) ...
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NEW: CA Fast Load for DB2 for z/OS Supports zIIP for OUTPUT-CONTROL ALL and REORG

By Jakub Hofman
We are pleased to announce that we further enhanced CA Fast Load for DB2 for z/OS and it now supports the use of the IBM System z Integrated Information Processor (zIIP) when you specify OUTPUT-CONTROL ALL and OUTPUT-CONTROL REORG. Previously, zIIP support was only available for OUTPUT-FORMAT BUILD. Now, zIIP support is provided for all OUTPUT-CONTROL values. Offloading zIIP-eligible workloads to zIIP processors can reduce the processing load on your general CPUs. zIIP functionality is enabled by default. Use the zIIP keyword in the SYSIN DD or the PFL-ZIIP parameter in hlq .CDBAPARM(UTIL) to control zIIP processing. PTF needed: SO16089, SO16090
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Release of CA Mainframe Resource Intelligence Db2 for z/OS Report

By Jakub Hofman
What is Solutions Assessments – Db2 for z/OS Report? Mainframe shops (database administrators, application developers, system programmers, storage administrators, and management) often struggle to understand the value of their investment in IBM® Db2 for z/OS and related applications. Db2 for z/OS evolves quickly, leveraging continuous delivery, and it is critical to any business to stay current on new features and functions. To address these concerns, CA MRI has a fast and easy to implement solution for you: the Solutions Assessment – Db2 for z/OS Report. What information does it provide? As the latest addition to the CA MRI catalog, Solutions Assessments ...
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Explore Best Practices for Db2 for z/OS Database Migrations

By conjo17
Learn how to efficiently execute migrations, accommodate database alterations and automate repetitive tasks when using the Broadcom/CA RC/Merger feature. The attached brief explains the advantages of using the RC/Merger feature move analysis processing to migrate Db2 data and perform a data only copy. John Connor Product Manager CA Database Management for Db2 for z/OS
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CA DBM 20 GA IR 8 is now Available

By Andrew Badgley
CA Database Management Solutions 20.0 for z/OS Incremental Release update DBM 20 GA IR 8 was made available March 29, 2019. PTF # SO07807 . With this announcement, note that DBM 20 GA IR 8 will be the last incremental update (bundled group of features and fixes) for Version 20.0 of the CA Database Management Solutions for DB2 for z/OS. We will no longer bundle fixes and enhancements in increments. Instead, we will now provide new features as individual product PTFs, separate from product fixes. Fixes will now be delivered when needed, separate from product features. Here is a list of some of the enhancements included in this update: Post-install ...
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CA DBM 20 GA IR 7 is now Available

By Andrew Badgley
CA Database Management Solutions 20.0 for z/OS Incremental Release update DBM 20 GA IR 7 was made available January 11, 2019. PTF # SO06863 . Here is a list of some of the enhancements included in this update: CA Fast Unload® for DB2 for z/OS (CA Fast Unload) enhancements: The enhanced LOAD-CONTROL keyword allows generation of free-form load control statements to reload data using CA Fast Load for DB2 for z/OS (CA Fast Load) or Db2 LOAD. CA Log Analyzer™ for DB2 for z/OS (CA Log Analyzer) enhancements: New PLA parmlib option PRE_ALLOCATE (E,x) that uses parallel tasks to reduce the elapsed processing time of your jobs when recalling archive ...
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CA DBM 20 GA IR 6 is now Available

By Andrew Badgley
CA Database Management Solutions 20.0 for z/OS Incremental Release update DBM 20 GA IR 6 was made available November 7, 2018. PTF # SO06113. Here is a list of some of the enhancements included in this update: CA Fast Recover has been enhanced to allow more sub-tasks to be attached for parallel processing when performing REBUILD INDEX. CA Fast Unload has added a new LONG-CHAR option to allow unloading VARCHAR columns larger than 255 bytes into CHAR fields. CA Quick Copy has been enhanced with a new option for LARGE-TAPE-BLOCK keyword and UTIL parmlib option. The new AUTO option detects and uses the maximum block size available to a device. ...
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Db2 Tools Roadmap Session : Help Shape The Future

By Philippe Dubost
We are literally reinventing how we create our development plans by sharing our product roadmap . Hear from CA product experts about the latest innovation, strategy. and functionality. Register for the next Roadmap session (on Wednesday 12 September ) at: https://www.ca.com/us/product-roadmaps/ca-database-management-for-db2-for-zos.html
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Db2 Tools 20.0 IR 5 Availability

By Andrew Badgley
CA Database Management Solutions 20.0 for z/OS Incremental Release update DBM 20 GA IR 5 was made available July 24, 2018. PTF #SO04455. Here is a list of some of the enhancements included in this update: Post-install and common enhancements: The Object List Manager utility now supports the selection of objects by packages. and more… CA Log Analyzer™ for DB2 for z/OS (CA Log Analyzer) enhancements: FlashCopy image copies are now supported for reporting purposes. and more… CA Plan Analyzer® for DB2 for z/OS (CA Plan Analyzer) enhancements: Db2 12 SQL DML syntax support is now provided for FETCH NEXT and OFFSET in SUBSELECT, FULLSELECT, and ...
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Db2 Tools 20.0 IR 4 Availability

By Andrew Badgley
CA Database Management Solutions 20.0 for z/OS Incremental Release update DBM 20 GA IR 4 was made available April 23, 2018. PTF #SO01396. Here is a list of some of the enhancements included in this update: Common and post-install related enhancements: The APPLCOMPAT BIND option is now always used to bind packages when executing the Bind Product Plans and Packages post-installation configuration task. and more… CA RC/Migrator, CA RC/Compare, and CA RC/Update enhancements: Intelligent REBIND exclusion is now provided when the BIND/REBIND analysis options are specified in CA RC/Migrator. The IBM UNLOAD model (IBMULD) now supports data type conversion ...
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A couple of ways to Reduce your MLC costs

By Philippe Dubost
Mainframe is a very secure and reliable platform. And it is the most cost-efficient when you consider the millions of transactions that touch the mainframe every second and the scale it delivers. Nevertheless, CIOs and mainframe stakeholders are rightly concerned about economics and continuous cost-reduction and optimization. The easiest way to get a handle on mainframe costs, is to pay attention to MLC. Various studies including Forrester cite that MLC consumes a third of the software budget. IBM’s Monthly License Charges (MLC) often consume a third or even more of the Mainframe Software budget. (Patrick Bartrick, Forrester) ...
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