IBM Power Systems

IBM Power Systems

About This Blog

Warm wishes and welcome to all AS400 Administrators and Operators.



This is exclusive blog for iSeries system Administrators working anywhere in the world. Also a place for guys and gals who want to share knowledge pertaining to iSeries. This blog has been designed for exchanging knowledge on AS400 or iSeries server administration and operations.



Saturday, January 30, 2010

i5/OS & IBM POWER™ Roadmap


i5/OS System Architecture

Program Model Architecture

Key notes:

* Of course, we must eventually get some hardware-specific instructions
* The i5/OS architecture incorporates "translation" under the TIMI
* The Translator is necessarily (and notoriously) hardware-specific!

i5/OS Software Support
i5/OS System Support
i5/OS V6R1 - The next step for efficient, resilient business processing


OS Application Model




On an OS/400 server, three application models are supported. To explain this, let's start in the middle of this chart. Traditional OS/400 applications run under the Integrated Language Environment (ILE) model. Programs in this application model use the TIMI. Above the TIMI, all programs are compiled to an intermediate form, which is automatically translated to actual hardware instructions by the kernel prior to execution. Much of OS/400 resides above the TIMI and is, thus, isolated from changes in underlying hardware. Remember, even though isolated from hardware changes, ILE applications are not interpreted. They are ‘optimized and translated’ to actual hardware instructions by the SLIC kernel.
Next, Java applications (shown on the right) use one of the following features built into the SLIC kernel: either the JVM, Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler, or Java translator. The Java support built into OS/400 delivers one of the highest-performing and most reliable Java machines in the industry.

System i & i5/OS – Integrated by Design


It is widely acknowledged that System i has high single-system reliability. This reliability is a byproduct of integration. When you consider that system crashes are often a result of software failures or human error rather than hardware failures, the value of integration and rigorous testing at the factory becomes more apparent.
Integration yields simplicity, ease of operations and a lower overall total cost of ownership. We’ll talk more about those in a moment.
Integration yields optimization. … For example, in benchmarks we’ve demonstrated the ability for system hardware and software resources to work together in harmony to support multiple, disparate applications at system utilization levels in excess of 95% while still meeting service level objectives for the applications which are running. And using built-in virtualization technology, i5/OS can be used to help optimize multiple operating system environments.
Integration yields automation. … There are numerous capabilities which are completely automated on System i that require human resources to manage on other platforms. For example, storage management is automated. Any data which is placed on an System i is automatically scatter-loaded across all available disk arms, which reduces the cost of administration while contributing to more balanced performance. The value of storage automation also extends to the relational database, consequently, most System i customers have no need for a database administrator. On other platforms it is necessary to have people manage the allocation and placement of data … and relational database implementations typically require the services of a full time administrator. 
Integration yields security with less effort and less cost. Security has been a design point for i5/OS from the beginning, unlike some other platforms. As a result, your ability to implement, enforce and audit a given security policy on System i is greatly enhanced. Any platform can be secured … but at what cost? The more you explore it, the more I believe you’ll find that it’s easier and less costly to secure System i systems. In a little while you’ll see that even the System i architecture contributes to your ability to secure it affordably.

It is almost a misnomer to call i5/OS an operating system. It is more accurately a nearly complete operating environment, because it includes so many systems management tools and middleware. First and foremost, any customer who buys a license for i5/OS automatically receives a copy of one of the world’s most sophisticated relational database management systems: DB2. This is not some dumbed-down, developer’s edition. This is the fully-functional, enterprise-class, industrial strength DB2 UDB for System i. To get the equivalent functionality in Oracle, you would have to buy the Enterprise Edition, which has a list price of $40,000 per processor.
In addition, we continue to improve our integration with the Websphere family of products. The Websphere Application Server is part of System i packaging, and we continue to incorporate additional Websphere products, such as Portal Server. Although the System i has only been around since 2000, its predecessors first appeared in the 1970s. And since the 1970s, this operating system has shipped with an impressive amount of systems management capabilities. For example, in i5/OS, there is a single security mechanism that administrators use to control access to the system, to data, and to applications. To get the same amount of systems management functionality on other operating systems, you would have to buy between 5 and 10 additional tools, that you would then maintain separately.

IBM Server Family



In 2000, IBM brought together the best attributes of a diverse line of servers to create the IBM eServer family of servers. The IBM eServer family is composed of four individual series. The IBM eServer zSeries™ group was created to replace mainframes running, among other operating systems, OS/390®. The ‘z’ stands for ‘zero downtime.’ When absolute availability is the requirement, zSeries servers provide some of the industry's best high-availability capabilities and run the zOS® operating system.The IBM eServer xSeries™ line of servers is designed for the entry-to-midsize enterprise environment where the IBM Enterprise X-Architecture and Intel® microprocessors play a key role .If a Microsoft® operating system is appropriate for you, xSeries servers are an excellent choice. The IBM eServer pSeries™ group is built to provide rock-solid UNIX® servers. These machines run the AIX® operating system, one of the leading UNIX operating systems. If UNIX is your game, pSeries servers should be on your team. Finally, the IBM eServer iSeries platform delivers integrated servers. When designing a business computer, many varied components are required—and iSeries servers have them built-in. iSeries servers run applications from its OS/400® heritage, as well as from AIX® and Windows®




A Product of Continuous Innovation

System i Expands on a rich heritage

AS/400 - 1988 to 2000
  • Legendary reliability
  • Built-in security
  • Simple management
  • Runs thousands of the worlds’ most popular business applications

   iSeries - 2000-2006
  • Embraces Open standards
  • Runs Linux, Unix, & Windows in addition to i5/OS
  • Includes WebSphere, Java support
  • Adds Capacity on Demand

 
 
System i  - 2006 & Beyond
  • All of AS/400 & iSeries PLUS
  • Excellent consolidation platform
  • Enhanced security and intrusion detection
  • Supports Services Oriented Architecture (SOA), PHP scripting, web-facing apps
  • Best of IBM in one box

Friday, January 29, 2010

IBM i - The industry’s leading integrated operating environment

Companies rely on an efficient IT infrastructure to support business-critical applications. They need to know that their systems and business processes are deployed to meet thehighest service levels defined by their business units plus canbe adapted to handle every new business opportunity. IBMi (formerly known as i5/OS®) running on an IBMPowerSystems™ server offers a highly scalable and virus resistantarchitecture with a proven reputation for exceptional businessresiliency. Running applications based on i has helped compa-nies over many years to focus on innovation and delivering newvalue to their business, not just on managing their data centeroperations.
Having a more dynamic infrastructure is all about selecting theright systems and software to enable businesses to move withagility and speed. Getting there with IBMi means implementingproven solutions on a platform you can trust. By choosing thelatest Power™ platform, IBMi applications get world class per-formance plus dynamic infrastructure flexibility, with the oppor-tunity to lower monthly operations costs.

IBM Power Systems Certifications - System i

1. IBM Certified Advanced Technical Expert - Power Systems 
    This certification requires 4 test(s).
       a) Test 000-971 - System i Administrator v5.07.11
       b) Test 000-974 - Power Systems Technical Support for i
       c) Any 1 of the following tests:
              i)  Test 000-078 - System x BladeCenter Technical Support V4
             ii)  Test 000-085 - System x BladeCenter Technical Support V5
      d) Any 1 of the following tests:
             i) Test 000-206 - High-End Disk for Open Systems Version 1
            ii) Test 000-210 - Storage Networking Solutions Version 4
 2. IBM Certified System Administrator - System i v5.07.11
    This certification requires 1 test.
    Test 971 - System i Administrator v5.07.11
3. IBM Certified Operator - IBM i 6.1 Basic Operations
   This certification requires 1 test(s).
   Test 000-975 - IBM i 6.1 Basic Operations

iSeries Information Center & Fix Central

Source for technical information about IBM(R) System i5(TM), eServer(TM) i5, and eServer iSeries(TM)
  1. V5R4 Information Center
  2. V5R3 Information Center
  3. V5R2 Information Center
  4. V5R1 Information Center
Fix Central provides fixes and updates for your systems software, hardware, and operating system. Fix Central allows you to search, select, order, and download fixes to your system with a choice of delivery options. Fixes provide changes to your software, Licensed Internal Code, or machine code that fix known problems, add new function, and keep your system, software, or Hardware Management Console operating efficiently. Fix Central has been designed to make it easy to find and obtain fixes by providing multiple search and ordering options. These include the following:

  • Search by APAR or SPR identifier
  • Search by Fix ID
  • Search by arbitrary text
  • Search for recommended groups
  • Limit search results by category, product, release, and platform Include prerequisite and corequisite fixes Download using Download Director, HTTP, or FTP
  • Ordering and download options are not available for all products.

     1.    IBM Fix Central

Common Backup Commands

SAVSYS  (Save System)
SAVLIB (Save Library )
SAVOBJ (Save Object )
SAVCHGOBJ (Save Changed Objects)
SAVDLO (Save Document Library Objects)
SAV(Save)
SAVSECDTA(Save Security Data)
SAVCFG (Save Configuration)
SAVSAVFDTA (Save Save File Data)
GO SAVE

AS400 Session Labeling

You can change the Client Access default label (Session-A) for your AS/400 session name to help identify the AS/400 better after it has been minimized. This is very useful when you have multiple AS/400 sessions active.


1. From the Appearance menu, select Window Setup.
2. Under Window Title, uncheck all boxes except Session Name.
3. In the box next to Session Name, change the description to something more meaningful, such as AS/400, or Production, etc.
4. Click O.K.

Power hardware - System i

IBM System i™ is IBM's previous generation of systems designed for IBM i clients. Subsequently replaced by the new IBM Power™ Systems, System i models and resources remain available for IBM i clients.

WRKACTJOBS - Output Work Active Jobs to file.


/*********************************************************************/
/* Program: WRKACTJOBS */
/* */
/* Author: Poul Aschenbrenner, COOP Data */
/* */
/* Function: Output Work Active Jobs to file. */
/* */
/* Parm: 1. Subsystem */
/* 2. Job Name */
/*********************************************************************/
PGM PARM(&SBS &JOB)
DCL VAR(&SBS) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(10)
DCL VAR(&JOB) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(10)
DCL VAR(&CMD) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(80)
CRTPF FILE(QTEMP/WRKACTJOBS) RCDLEN(266)
MONMSG MSGID(CPF0000)
CHGVAR VAR(&CMD) VALUE('system "wrkactjob sbs(' *TCAT +
&SBS *TCAT ') JOB(' *TCAT &JOB *TCAT ')"')
SNDPGMMSG MSG('Output for WRKACTJOB send to +
QTEMP/WRKACTJOBS...')
OVRDBF FILE(STDOUT) TOFILE(QTEMP/WRKACTJOBS)
STRQSH CMD(&CMD)
ENDPGM
/*********************************************************************/
/* Command: WRKACTJOBS */
/* */
/* Author: Poul Aschenbrenner, COOP Data */
/* */
/* Function: Output Work Active Jobs to file. */
/* */
/* Parm: 1. Subsystem */
/* 2. Job Name */
/*********************************************************************/
CMD PROMPT('Output Work Active Jobs')
PARM KWD(SBS) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(10) DFT(*ALL) +
MIN(0) CHOICE('Name, *ALL') +
PROMPT('Subsystem')
PARM KWD(JOB) TYPE(*CHAR) LEN(10) DFT(*ALL) +
MIN(0) CHOICE('Name, generic*, *ALL') +
PROMPT('Job name')

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Activities of An iSeries or AS400 Administrator

Daily Activity

o Check for any SRC /Attention light / Abnormal Sound

o Daily Check-list

o Object Save/ Restore

o Library save /Restore

o Daily Update of reports

o Scheduling of required jobs

Monthly Activity

o User profile inventory

o Object / Libraries inventory

o Submit hard copy reports to Manager –MIS

                  Daily activity report

                  Daily ASP utilization report

                  System DASD Status

                  Daily Problem/ Object not saved reports

                  System performance report

{Down time /up time / Reason /Action taken/ Remarks}

o Ensure proper Cycle of DAILY BACKUP QIC

                 Server - A : 07 QIC

                 Server - B : 07 QIC

                 Server - C : 06 QIC



Quarterly Activity

o Schedule for Quarterly Preventive maintenance

(Inform to AS/400 team at least 15days prior to PM schedule)

o Ensure proper Cycle of MONTHLY BACKUP QIC – Cycle of 3 QIC

o Submit hard copy reports to Manager-MIS

                    Quarterly Server ASP Utilization graph

                    Preventive Maintenance report

                    DASD balancing report



Occasional Activity

o Check for data available in occasional QIC

o Save data on QIC, which is not required on server for particular period.

o Backup of User data/ System data / DLO/ User Profile etc (whenever required)

o Keep at least one ready set of QIC

o Keen on check for linked objects / Printer

New Console On the Block




The console on your AS/400, iSeries, or i5 system is the most important window in your I.T. environment. The system console can do things no other terminal connected to your system can do. Have you thought much about your console lately? Is this all-important window due for an upgrade?

Console History :

 1. System 38 – console built into the system unit.
    











 
2. Twin-ax 5250 console -  20 feet from the system unit maximum











3. PCs gain momentum 5250 emulation card allows PC to become system console Client access  PC console  iSeries access operations console & LAN console



4. Introducing The HMC - Hardware Management Console


First introduced on the pSeries A LINUX based PC appliance for eServer power5, Tied to specific PC hardware (xSeries), Ships with embedded OS pre-loaded, Closed and dedicated (can’t install other software on it) Required for configuration & management of logical partitioning, capacity on demand and some maintenance functions



Console Facts:

a.) System/38. The powerful predecessor of the AS/400 had one feature that stood out… the console and     keyboard were built right into the system unit.

b) When the AS/400 was introduced in 1988, two types of consoles were offered – ASCII or Twinaxial. I never saw an AS/400 with an ASCII console… Twinax was the reigning champion. Over time, IBM would enhance their lineup of 5250 display stations to include such features as multi-session and 132 column capabilities.

c) As personal Computers became more popular in the workplace, IBM came out with 5250 emulation cards. By installing one of these cards in a PC, you could open 5250 sessions and also turn your PC into a system console. All you had to do was to make sure you were connected to port 0 on the first workstation controller and that your address was set to 0. With Client Access came PC Console and, as Client Access became iSeries Access, PC Console grew into Operations Console.

d) The HMC is actually not a new device. It has been a part of the pSeries world since 2002. With the
convergence of the pSeries and the iSeries line becoming more of a reality, it was only a matter of time before the HMC would move into the iSeries world. The HMC and the i5 are a great fit. If an i5 is on the horizon for you and you plan to use LPAR and/or CoD, the HMC is going to provide all the tools you need to mange these environments and more.




    

IBM Redbooks

There will be a list of IBM Redbooks and Redpapers on System i, showing most recently published first. Most of these publications are available in Adobe PDF format and may be viewed online or downloaded for offline viewing and printing.