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  • 1.  Db2 Tools New Features Summary - Level Set PTF 20.0.13

    Broadcom Employee
    Posted Aug 30, 2024 11:43 AM
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    Level Set PTF 20.0.13 (LU14603) 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.

    Features Applied with Level Set PTF 20.0.13

    This list summarizes the features that are delivered by applying Level Set PTF 20.0.13 (LU14603). 

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

    • REST API enhancements. 

      • DevOps API z/OS Execution without using Db2 Stored Procedures. The DBM Data Service REST API component in the Database Management Solutions for Db2 was enhanced to use the Object Framework Services Agent (the OFS agent/OFA) instead of Db2 stored procedures to perform z/OS operations for DevOps requests. A new DevOps API z/OS Execution Provider parameter in the DBM for Db2 Configuration Utility lets you specify the method to use to perform z/OS operations.

        The OFA method avoids the technical limitations and challenges that are associated with the use of Db2 stored procedures. OFA is the default and recommended setting.

      • Java 17 support. The DBM Data Service REST API has been updated to support Java 17, which provides new language features, new tools support, and performance and security improvements. 

    • Post-installation processing enhancements. The following fields have been added to the Create JCL for DB2 Object Comparison (INSCOMPD) panel to improve flexibility in Db2 object compare processing:

      • UNIT Disk and UNIT Tape. Lets you specify a site-specific device type or a number for DASD and TAPE.

      • Object size threshold. Defines whether to store objects on TAPE or DISK based on the number of pages.

    These new fields replace the use of fixed UNIT values (SYSDA or CART) based on a predetermined object size. This enhancement makes it easier to manage object storage according to the needs of your environment.

    • Fast Unload support for literals with SELECT COUNT(*). Fast Unload now allows you to select literals along with the number of rows for a specified table or an image copy of a table with the SELECT COUNT(*) keyword option. You can specify multiple literals with the COUNT(*) option to select alongside the number of rows in the SYSREC data set or data set specified by the UNLDDN keyword. You can use this feature to more easily compare the number of rows in different tables including image copies of tables.

    • Log Analyzer dropped object recovery support for partitioned tablespaces. Log Analyzer can now automatically recover dropped objects in a partitioned tablespace after the insertion or rotation of a partition. The original logical and physical partition numbers for the dropped object are restored in the Db2 catalog as part of the recovery process. You now have another option to generate a customized recovery job to get dropped objects back online as soon as possible.

    • Quick Copy support for copying compressed LOB tablespaces. Quick Copy now supports processing of large object (LOB) tablespaces with the data compression applied (COMPRESS YES). You can now use Quick Copy to create valid full and incremental copies of compressed LOB tablespaces. This enhancement allows you to use Quick Copy to seamlessly process objects on Db2 12 at a function level of 500 or higher.

    • RC/Query now generates DDL dynamically for remote objects. SQL Connect is now used to dynamically retrieve remote subsystem information. Previously, the remote subsystem was determined by values specified in the SETUP parmlib member. With this enhancement, you can now generate DDL for a remote subsystem without having to specify the remote SSID information with the command.

    • Recovery Analyzer support for batch import of object lists to a recovery strategy. Recovery Analyzer now supports use of batch utility to create a recovery strategy and to import object lists to the strategy. The object lists can be defined by the LISTDEF utility or by the Object List Manager. Batch import of objects simplifies and accelerates management of your recovery strategies and your recovery plans.

    To execute this utility, use the new control statement RECOVER-TOOL STRATEGY-GENERATE in your batch jobs.

    • New Shadow Recovery batch utility. This utility enables database administrators to quickly replicate the Db2 environment by performing object recovery using different object IDs between the source and the target. Shadow Recovery does not interrupt application access to the source objects, and allows for object recovery across different Db2 subsystems.

    To execute the Shadow Recovery utility, use the new control statement RECOVER-TOOL SHADOW-RECOVERY in your batch jobs.

    • SYSVIEW for Db2 enhancements:

      • Support for IFCID 415 AUTH-TOKEN-EXCEPTIONS record. Administrators can use this record to analyze exceptions when Db2 connects to an External Security Manager (ESM) through REST requests with Bearer authorizations.

      • Support for STATTIME_DDF. The STATTIME_DDF subsystem parameter is now supported in Db2 12 and 13. This support also includes the MXAIDTCACH subsystem parameter in Db2 13. The STATIME_DDF replaces STATIME_MAIN as the timer for DDF location IFCIDs 365, 411, and 412. The default value for this ZPARM is zero to maintain the current behavior. The support lets administrators use SYSVIEW for Db2 to troubleshoot and tune new ZPARMs.

      • Support for CICS Transaction Server 6.2. Release 6.2 provides enhancements to security, performance, resilience, and the developer experience.

    • Thread Termination/Dynamic DSNZPARM enhancements:

      • STATIME_DDF Parameter Support. The ZPARM STATIME_DDF subsystem parameter is now supported. This parameter specifies the time interval in seconds for collection of interval-driven DDF location statistics.

      • Db2 DSNZPARM Cleanup. To reflect changes in the product and improve the user experience, obsolete DSNPARMS were removed from Thread Termination/Dynamic DSNZPARM parameters topics. Also, supported Db2 versions are now shown in the topics.

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

    New Version (1.29.0) of the DBM for Db2 Plug-in for Zowe CLI

    A new version of the DBM for Db2 Plug-in for Zowe CLI adds Zowe API Mediation Layer (API ML) gateway support for communication with the DBM Data Service REST API. Zowe API ML provides a single point of access for mainframe service REST APIs and facilitates secure communication across microservices through the API Gateway.

    For a list of all changes, see the Change Log in our GitHub repository. To download the new version of the DBM for Db2 Plug-in for Zowe CLI, go to npm registry.

    Important! Level Set Activation Requirement

    Starting with the PTF for Level Set 20.0.16 (planned for release in May 2025), Level Set 20.0.01 or higher must be activated. Xmanager will not start up at this maintenance level if the active Level Set is 20.0.00. 

    Activation of a Level Set is similar to activation of Db2 function levels and enables users to control when certain functions or behaviors occur. It also makes it possible for you to revert to previous behaviors, similar to Compatibility Mode in Db2 terminology. Activation of a Level Set lets you use any features in the Level Set that require activation.

    To enable these capabilities, activate Level Set 20.0.01 or higher before the PTF for Level Set 20.0.16 is applied. Activation of Level Set 20.0.01 enables customers to roll their Xmanager maintenance across members of a sysplex and avoid taking an outage as maintenance is applied. For information about activating a Level Set versus applying a Level Set PTF, see Activate a Level Set in the Database Management Solutions for Db2 documentation. Activation prerequisites, other considerations, examples, and an activation use case are also provided. A video is also available that provides a walk-through of the activation steps.

    For a list of the available Level Set PTFs and their corresponding features, see New Features.

    Db2 Tools 20.0 Validation Project

    What's cooking in the lab?

    Join the Db2 Tools 20.0 Validation Project, where the Broadcom product teams reveal upcoming features and seek 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 https://validate.broadcom.com/key/db2tools200.

    Db2 Tools Modern User Experience Beta Program

    Another reason to join our Db2 Tools 20.0 Validation Project is to participate in our Modern User Experience for Database Management Beta Program. 

    We are building a modern mainframe database user interface that provides an easy, intuitive user experience for database administrators and application developers, enabling them to be highly productive while reducing the learning curve. It is built on REST API requests and uses the Zowe open framework. We designed it from the ground up to be scalable and enable users to complement it with their existing and familiar toolings. It is uniquely designed with a task-oriented approach, making it intuitive and productive for the next generation of mainframe staff.

    Joining the Db2 Tools 20.0 Validation Project entitles you to participate in the beta program. 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 that is provided through the capabilities of this new user interface. 

    To join, register for the Db2 Tools 20.0 Validation Project as noted earlier.



  • 2.  RE: Db2 Tools New Features Summary - Level Set PTF 20.0.13

    Posted Sep 16, 2024 01:15 PM

    Hi, this is very interesting, thanks for sharing!