Db2 Tools New Features Summary - Level Set 20.0.16

[Cynthia Hamm]

Level Set 20.0.16 (LU16985) for the Database Management Solutions for Db2 for z/OS is now available. This Level Set PTF helps you identify your current level of maintenance and installed features.

Before you apply the PTF for Level Set 20.0.16, activate Level Set 20.0.01 or higher. After you apply this PTF: If the active Level Set is 20.0.00, Xmanager will not start and the Database Management Solutions for Db2 will not be usable. For information about activating a Level Set, see Activate a Level Set in the Database Management Solutions for Db2 documentation. An Xmanager connection is mandatory for SYSVIEW for Db2 data collectors. The Xmanager connection lets you update your LPAR environments independently when you apply Level Set and ongoing maintenance. The collectors will not start without the Xmanager connection.

Features Applied with Level Set 20.0.16

The following feature in this Level Set PTF requires activation:

• Space Calculator End of Support. The Space Calculator option under General Facilities on the Database Management Solutions for Db2 Main Menu is no longer supported. The associated S and SO line commands in RC/Migrator, RC/Compare, and RC/Update are also no longer supported. Use Db2 native space calculation capabilities to locate free space and perform space calculations for your Db2 objects.

The following features in this Level Set PTF do not require activation:

• Db2 13 FL507 Support. The Database Management Solutions for Db2 for z/OS run seamlessly on Db2 13 subsystems or data sharing groups with Db2 13 Function FL507 activated. This support can ensure a smooth transition for system programmers and database administrators upgrading their systems to Db2 13 V13R1M507.

• Recovery Estimator Support for Multiple Recovery Plans. The Recovery Estimator batch utility (RECOVER-TOOL ESTIMATE RECOVERY) was enhanced to estimate and evaluate multiple recovery options for the examined objects. Recovery Estimator helps you assess the recoverability of your Db2 objects and identify the most efficient recovery plans for your objects without impacting the examined objects and their availability. Multiple plan support gives you greater visibility and control over your recovery planning. 

The syntax of the RECOVER-TOOL ESTIMATE-RECOVERY control statement was updated to enable the new functionality and to improve syntax consistency across backup and recovery utilities. Additionally, you no longer have to install the ADMIN_COMMAND_DB2 and ADMIN_DS_LIST Db2 stored procedures to execute Recovery Estimator, which simplifies implementation of the utility.

• REST API Enhancements. The DBM Data Service (REST API component) was enhanced to provide:

• New sample JCLs to connect with Db2 subsystems using JDBC with PassTicket authentication. The JCL simplifies the PassTicket implementation and verification for each user.

• New REST API endpoints to execute Db2 or supported DSN commands and to retrieve the status of databases, tablespaces, or indexspaces. Use these commands to execute database administrative functions.

• Support for a JSON Web Token (JWT) to authenticate and authorize protected resource access through Zowe API Mediation Layer. JWT usage avoids the need for PassTicket configuration and simplifies DBM Data Service integration with Zowe API Mediation Layer.

• An enhanced DevOps generate template (RMATMD01 in hlq.CDBAMDL) to ensure that the generated DDL (target) matches the format of the source. This enhancement provides consistent formatting of the deployed DDL and makes it easier to compare the changes from the source to the target.

• Log Analyzer Enhanced Support for DDL Redo/Undo Reports. ALTER TABLE ADD PARTITION BY, ALTER TABLE ROTATE PARTITION, CREATE FUNCTION, CREATE PROCEDURE, DROP FUNCTION, and DROP PROCEDURE statements are now supported. This enhancement lets you create DDL Activity Reports or generate Redo/Undo DDL statements for changes to stored procedures, user-defined functions, and more types of tables.

• RC/Compare Support for Advanced Triggers. You can now use compare strategies in RC/Migrator and RC/Compare to analyze advanced triggers. This support means that you can generate an analysis script that includes CREATE, CREATE OR REPLACE, and ALTER TRIGGER statements and the VERSION, ACTIVE, DEBUG_MODE, QUALIFIER, and PATH attributes as applicable. Advanced triggers are supported for all comparison options (subsystem to subsystem, subsystem to DDL, DDL to subsystem, DDL to DDL, and automatic comparison of a logical design with a physical database).

• RC/Compare, RC/Migrator, and RC/Update Enhancement to Generate Global Level Index Attributes. CREATE INDEX statements are now generated at the global level and the partition level during analysis for non-PBG partitioned tablespaces. Doing so ensures that the generated DDL maintains values from the Db2 catalog table.

• RC/Migrator Impact Analysis Report Enhancement. The Impact Analysis report now indicates the impacted Db2 object is the primary object or the dependent object. This enhancement helps you understand the context of the changes more accurately.

• RC/Query Support for ALTER PROCEDURE PACKAGE OWNER AS USER/AS ROLE. Valid ALTER PROCEDURE DDL is now generated that includes the PACKAGE OWNER AS USER or AS ROLE clause as applicable for each version of a native stored procedure. These options let you manage the required system privileges to alter a procedure.

• SYSVIEW for Db2 Enhancements:

• New IFCID 402 Fields. New security exception and warning fields for various connection types were added to the Profile Exceptions (IFCID 402) record for Db2 13. This information helps administrators identify and address performance bottlenecks to ensure optimal resource utilization. Administrators can also use this information to monitor and control distributed applications.

• Obtain IFI READA Buffer from Above the Bar. The IFI READA buffer is now obtained from above the bar. This feature minimizes the possibility of lost trace data and provides relief from storage constraints. Some trace parameters are no longer used as documented in the SYSVIEW for Db2 documentation.

• Enhanced Grafana Sample Dashboards and Additional Reports. Existing Grafana dashboards for buffer pool statistics, group by member view, group wide view, and member view were enhanced to display additional metrics to make them more usable. New DDF reports are also provided. System programmers and database administrators can use these reports to visualize Db2 subsystem metrics and diagnose performance issues. 

For more information, see New Features in the Release Notes in the Database Management Solutions for Db2 for z/OS documentation.

Db2 Tools 20.0 Validation Project

Join the Db2 Tools Validation Project, where the Broadcom product teams reveal upcoming features and seek your feedback. See what we are developing, as we develop it. Validation meetings are your best opportunity to influence the development of the Database Management Solutions for Db2 for z/OS products.

Register today at: validate.broadcom.com/key/db2tools200.

Modernization for Mainframe Database Management Beta Program

Another reason to join the Db2 Tools Validation Project is to participate in our Modernization for Mainframe Database Management Beta program, which includes:

• A web user interface that provides an intuitive experience for database administrators and application developers, boosting productivity while minimizing their learning curve. You can perform catalog navigation for Db2 objects and execute Db2 commands with type-ahead suggestions and reference links to related documentation. You can also use the SQL Editor to build and run SQL.

Beta 3 includes SQL command execution and catalog navigation by schema, sequences and sequence aliases, and stored procedures in addition to the previously supported objects.

• A Visual Studio Code extension that enables generation, self-provisioning, and deployment of DDL to improve productivity for application developers. Db2 management history, artifacts, and execution context are saved to track changes effectively.

Beta 3 includes checking DDL syntax, verifying dependencies, copying objects, a Save As option for history files, support for unsaved and partial documents, and DDL analysis after generating DDL. History files now open as copies and the status bar reflects the Db2 subsystem during operations.

By participating in the Beta program, you can:

• Help shape and influence our next-generation user experience.

• Have early access to the software.

• Have direct interaction with our Database Management for Db2 subject matter experts.

In return, we ask that you provide us with regular feedback about the user experience and the feature set from this new user interface.

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