Db2 Tools New Features Summary - Level Set 20.0.18

[Cynthia Hamm]

Level Set 20.0.18 (LU18902) 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. No features in this Level Set require activation.

Features Applied with Level Set 20.0.18

The following features are included in Level Set 20.0.18:

• Db2 13 Support Enhancements:

• Support for Db2 Function Level V13R1M508. Db2 13 function level V13R1M508 support is now available. This support ensures that the Database Management Solutions for Db2 run seamlessly on Db2 13 subsystems or data sharing groups with Db2 13 Function Level 508 activated. This support helps to ensure a smooth transition for systems programmers and database administrators upgrading their systems to Db2 13 M508.

• Db2 13 FL508 Support for Consistent DSSIZE Records. As part of V13R1M508, the DSSIZE field of SYSINDEXES and SYSINDEXPART was changed from INT to BIGINT. The Database Management Solutions for Db2 support this change, processing both INTEGER and BIGINT values. This change allows system administrators to accurately determine the size of the data sets for indexes whether they were stored as INTEGER or BIGINT values.

• Improved Unlicensed Product Warnings. Unlicensed products are now highlighted on the Database Management Solutions for Db2 Main Menu for easy identification. A new warning panel now appears when an unlicensed product is accessed through the ISPF interface to help maintain license compliance more easily.

• Db2 Command Processor Enhancements. You can now execute the SHOW, TEST, and ACTIVATE LEVELSET commands using the Db2 Command Processor ISPF interface. These commands appear in the command history for the Db2 Command Processor and the Xmanager job log. They are also supported in the DB2CJCL batch job. This enhancement enables team members to manage the configuration of the Database Management Solutions for Db2 without issuing MODIFY commands against the Xmanagers.

• Xmanager Support for SNA/VTAM for JDBC PassTicket Connections. Xmanager was enhanced to add support for JDBC connections using PassTickets in environments where SNA/VTAM are still in use. This feature simplifies the DBM Data Service (REST API configuration requirements by enabling the use of JDBC connections using PassTickets at sites that have not yet converted from SNA to TCP/IP connections.

• REST API Enhancements. The following enhancements have been made to the DBM Data Service (DBM DS) REST API component:

• • New Java 21 Support. This Java release provides better execution performance and improved security over previous Java releases.

  • New Detector Plan and Package Metric Endpoints. New pdt endpoints enable the retrieval of SQL activity in Detector for easy monitoring and analysis through an open-source dashboard solution like Prometheus/Grafana, Splunk, or Data Dog. Use these dashboard solutions to display plan and package metrics graphically over time, and exception counts and error counts. 

  • New HDDL Endpoint. The admin/hddl endpoint generates DDL for an object and the related objects in its hierarchy in the proper execution order. Use this endpoint to generate DDL that creates a set of objects on a different subsystem, generates SPUFI compatible output, includes grants, maintains the relational integrity chain, and more. 

A new JCL template MTCRQT01 has also been added in hlq.CDBAMDL to generate hierarchical DDL (HDDL). Use the hddl default modification to customize the request in the template settings file as needed.

• • New BIND Statements for JDBC-Related Packages. New bind statements have been added to bind JDBC-related packages for the DBM Data Service (REST API component). These new statements are processed during post-install tailoring to help prevent NULLID package errors.

  • SSL Configuration Enhancements. The configuration for keyring/keystore parameter values in the DBM for Db2 configuration utility for certificates was simplified to specify the settings only once and then apply them to the client and the server. This enhancement removes duplicate entries for the same values.

  • RMATMD03 Template Enhanced to Support NUMDATA Parameter. The DevOps template RMATMD03 for the Migrate endpoint was updated to support the NUMDATA parameter, which controls the number of rows that are unloaded and reloaded for each table during object migration.

  • OFA Added as DBM Data Service Dependency. When configuring the DBM Data Service (REST API) during post-install tailoring, the Object Framework Services (OFA) component is now auto-selected so that you can easily manage the configuration requirements.

• RC/Query Enhancements:

• New Utility Reports. New utility list, detail, and object reports along with tablespace, table, database, and index utility reports are now available providing information about the utilities and the objects on which the utilities were executed. These reports provide system administrators with all of the data contained in the SYSIBM.SYSUTILITIES and SYSIBM.SYSOBJEVENTS tables that were introduced in Db2 13 M504. 

Additionally, the new DELUTL line command lets you delete unwanted utility history entries from these catalog tables.

• • Temporal Support for BUSINESS_TIME WITH OVERLAPS. Temporal support in RC/Query now includes support for the BUSINESS_TIME WITH OVERLAPS clause to define a period for a temporal index in the generated DDL. Temporal tables and indexes let you track changes to your data over time, providing flexibility in managing historical data.

• SYSVIEW for Db2 Enhancements:

• Enhanced EXPLAIN Capabilities. For static SQL in a package that is bound with EXPLAIN YES or NO, the access path can now be displayed. This enhancement is beneficial for database administrators who must know the access path regardless of the EXPLAIN setting.

• Data Collector Supports Additional Preferred User Tasks. The data collector now supports multiple preferred user tasks. A preferred user task has a thread that is always open to Db2. This enhancement prevents bottlenecks that can occur when multiple preferred user tasks require a Db2 thread.

• CICS Transaction Server (CTS) 6.3 Support. This CTS release provides enhancements to security, performance, resilience, and the developer experience. For more information, see the IBM documentation.

• D TIMED Command. The new D TIMED command displays elapsed time statistics for each IQL request that runs at a specific interval to help tune the product. For example, if a report is running too frequently, its interval can be lengthened. If a report is no longer needed, the request can be removed.

• New IQL Editor Version. The IQL Editor components have been updated. The new version of this Windows application is 1.0.9442. Administrators can use the IQL Editor to modify IQLs, design new IQL requests, and create custom IQL reports.

• Updated Default Exception Definitions: The default subsystem, database, application, and IQL exception definition thresholds and their default status (active or inactive) were reviewed, and modified for optimization as needed.

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

The Db2 Tools validation project on the Broadcom validation site (validate.broadcom.com) has transitioned to the Db2 Tools Validation Community. To continue your participation or to join this validation program, you must complete this Google Form to register for the new Db2 Tools Validation Community. This action is required for current and new members.

Participation in this program lets you provide feedback on upcoming features as we develop them. Validation meetings are your best opportunity to influence the development of the Database Management Solutions for Db2 products. We look forward to hearing from you. Slides and recordings from previous validation calls are available.

Modernization for Mainframe Database Management

As part of our ongoing commitment to customer success, we are pleased to announce that the following mainframe database management modernization tools are now GA:

• CenterStage™ for Database Management (CenterStage)

CenterStage is a web-based interface supporting the database tools from Broadcom, starting with the Database Management Solutions for Db2. CenterStage helps database administrators onboard quickly and navigate the Db2 catalog, view object details, identify problematic objects, run Db2 commands and SQL statements, and generate DDL and HDDL without navigating ISPF panels and understanding 3270 commands. 

For detailed information about this release, current support information, and the latest technical bulletins, visit the CenterStage product page. For download instructions, follow the installation procedures at https://techdocs.broadcom.com/centerstage. 

• Database Management for Db2 z/OS (DBM-Db2) Extension for Visual Studio Code

The DBM-Db2 extension empowers application developers and database administrators to self-provision Db2 objects, make and deploy schema changes directly from Visual Studio Code, and manage Db2 definitions without switching tools.

Part of the Code4z toolset, this extension brings Db2 schema management into a modern development environment, helping streamline workflows, improve consistency across subsystems, and reduce reliance on ISPF.

For more information and to get started, see Database Management for Db2 z/OS Extension for Visual Studio Code. To install and view the user documentation for this extension, see the Visual Studio Code marketplace.

Licensed Database Management Solutions for Db2 customers running Version 20.0 have access to CenterStage and the DBM-Db2 extension as part of the base license. 

DBM for Db2 Plug-in for Zowe CLI Documentation Improvements

The documentation has been enhanced with the following updates to the Zowe CLI Plug-in content:

• Updated Integrate with Zowe CLI with clearer structure, improved code samples, and verification to ensure that you can move to the next step or procedure with confidence.

• Co-located all integration content under the Installing section.

• Zowe and Zowe CLI requirements are clearly listed as part of the preparation for installation.

• Added the Use the DBM for Db2 Plug-in topic to provide a short, easy-to-read introduction to the plug-in.

For more information, see Integrate with Zowe CLI, Address Zowe Requirements, and Use the DBM for Db2 Plug-in for Zowe CLI.

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