The mainframe is an enterprise server that processes large, database-dependent applications. It also communicates with other systems both inside and outside the State of Utah. Mainframe services are supported by one mainframe at the Salt Lake Data Center and a disaster recovery mainframe at Richfield.
Both data centers have redundant power, climate control, card key access doors, video monitoring, and full time staffing. Storage devices are networked in such a way that data in Salt Lake City can be saved in Richfield even though the Richfield mainframe is offline until we recover from a disaster or test our processes to do so.
In general, each agency will determine
- What mainframe applications must do
- When the applications must be available
- Who can access the applications and the data
- What data must be backed up, how often, and for how long
- What data must be encrypted at rest
In general, costs are covered as follows:
- Mainframe costs are paid through three products: the mainframe, mainframe tape, and mainframe disk. Each of these rates is based on consumption.
- Networking costs are paid through the networking and security rates.
- Programmer costs are paid at an hourly rate at each agency.
Product Features and Descriptions
Operating system
z/OS
Operating environments
USS (Unix System Services) UNIX under the z/OS operating system
Language Environments:
run-time environments for IBM versions of certain high-level languages (HLLs), such as C++ and COBOL,
CICS (Customer Information Control System) A transaction processing system designed for both online and batch processing activity.
Programming Languages
- Enterprise Cobol
- Fortran
- Assembler
- Java
- C/C++
- SAS (Statistical Analysis Software)
MQ Series
Middleware used for messaging and queuing that enables programs to communicate with each other across a network of unlike components; such as processors, subsystems, operating systems, and communication protocols.
JCL
Job Control Language
Debug Tool
Used to examine, monitor and control the execution of C, C++ and Cobol programs
Fault Analyzer
Helps to identify, analyze, and fix the problems associated with failing applications
File Manager
Toolset for working with mainframe datasets and DB2 and CICS data
Panvalet
A centralized library management tool for creating, storing, and maintaining program source data
DFSORT
High-performance sort, merge, copy, analysis, and reporting product
RACF
Security Software
CONTROL M
Provides workload automation of traditional job scheduling encompassing online disciplines, integration with business applications, and scheduling based on external events
CONTROL D
Comprehensive report management viewing, archival and print distribution system covering every aspect of report life cycle
TSO
Allows customers to create an interactive session with the mainframe
ISPF
A panel application navigated by keyboard that includes a text editor and browser and functions for locating and listing files and performing other utility functions
VTAM/Switch
Allows customers to simultaneously log on to multiple applications (CICS, TSO, etc) without logging on and off
ASSIST/TS
Allows a user to create and attach help information to new or existing CICS applications without making any programming changes to CICS programs
Life Cycle Manager (LCM)
Used to control changes to multiple configurations of software (programs) or documents and to allow controlled migration of those changes throughout the software or document life cycle
Infoprint Server
This feature is the basis for a total print serving solution for the z/OS environment. Delivers improved efficiency with the flexibility for high volume, high speed printing from anywhere in the network
DB2
DTS operates shared DB2 mainframe environments in the Salt Lake data center. State agencies access DB2 data using Structured Query Language (SQL) via standard Interfaces such as CICS, QMF, or call attach. Remote access is also available via middleware products such as DB2 Connect and QMF for Windows
DB2 Administration Tool
Automates routine DBA administration tasks including object change management, security, reporting, data movement and placement
Insight for DB2
Interactive performance monitor that enables the user to specify a DB2 subsystem to monitor including system summary, active threads, system activity review, user activity review, and user activity trace
Detector for DB2
Identify and analyze resource intensive applications and SQL statements from multiple sources to optimize DB2 performance
Language Environment
Provides a common environment for all Language Environment-conforming high level language(HHL) products
Code1
An address cleansing tool used mainly in batch processing. The address file is run through Code1 and cleansed for mailings. This tool can also be used through interactive processing in CICS
QMF
QMF Enterprise Edition allows easy-to-use visual query building that enables users of all skill levels to easily create their own reports accessing DB2
WebSphere Replication Server
WebSphere Replication Server (SQL) allows you to replicate data from and to relational databases
Connect:Direct & Cyberfusion
Peer-to-peer file-based integration middle-ware optimized for assured delivery, high-volume, and secure data exchange within and between enterprises. Optimized for high performance and moves files containing any type of data across multiple platforms, disparate file systems, and disparate media. Primarily used for secured, assured file transfer between Utah and various third party entities
FTP
TCP/IP standard way of transferring files across the Internet and between computers
SSH (SFTP)
A security protocol for logging onto a remote that provides an encrypted session for transferring files and executing server programs
Discontinued Features
ADABAS
ADABAS no longer runs on the mainframe. It was deleted from the 2013 product description, and it will not be mentioned in 2015.
Features Not Included
Business process development or validation
The mainframe product does not include business analysis or project management. Programmers working at the agency will take the lead on troubleshooting
Application maintenance or troubleshooting
Application programmers will maintain applications and troubleshoot them when they fail or under perform,
Business continuity or resumption plans
Systems programmers will build systems in response to agency defined needs, but they will not decide what agency data must not be lost and how soon agency applications have to be back online.
Desktop support for mainframe clients
BlueZone and PuTTY are not mainframe software, but desktop applications that are loaded on each end user’s PC. The help desk or desktop technicians will figure out what agency application cannot print before referring a print ticket to the mainframe group.
Ordering and Provisioning
If you would like assistance, please contact the DTS Service Desk.
DTS Responsibilities
Change management
DTS will develop policy and implementation processes to manage changes to enterprise systems.
Facility security
DTS will set policy to ensure that facilities are secure. DTS will also develop resource and enforce the implementation processes.
Application and Data Security
DTS systems programmers will configure mainframe systems so that that one agency cannot inadvertently access the applications or data of another agency.
DTS will make sure that all active media is physically secure.
DTS and each agency will record handover of tapes to and from the data centers. Each agency will maintain accountability of tapes once they leave either data center.
DTS will destroy old media in a way that we lose no data to third parties after the disposal of media. DTS will document the destruction of all media.
Monthly Downtime Scheduling
DTS will coordinate the monthly mainframe downtime.
System stability
DTS will monitor the mainframe to anticipate and identify problems with mainframe hardware, software, resources, or configuration.
Server Hardware
DTS will select, install, maintain, and pay for all mainframe hardware. DTS will develop the architecture for mainframe components and for the connection between the mainframe and other computer systems.
Server Software
DTS will install, configure, patch, and pay for all software that has statewide use. Agencies will pay for software that serves only one agency.
Storage Systems
DTS will manage disk and tape storage at both Salt Lake and Richfield. DTS will manage data replication for system critical storage, and it will respond to agency requests for replication of agency critical storage.
Data Center Maintenance
Salt Lake City and Richfield have tier 3 data centers. (All equipment has two sources of power and multiple means of communication.) DTS will operate and set policy for both data centers. From a facilities standpoint, this includes power, climate control, and failover systems. From a security standpoint, this includes physical security systems, information systems, and monitoring systems. From a network standpoint, this includes maintaining, monitoring, and filtering communications.
Agency Responsibilities
Change management
Each agency will follow DTS change processes when implementing changes to enterprise systems (any system that is used by more than one agency) They will also provide informational changes for applications that will show as downtime in infrastructure monitoring or that risk service disruption that could be escalated to DTS management.
Facility security
No significant responsibilities for the agencies
Application and Data Security
Each agency will decide what data has to be backed up and how often. They will decide how long it must be retained.
Monthly Downtime Scheduling
Each agency will communicate their Sunday processing requirements during weekly change meetings.
System stability
No agency is responsible for the stability of the mainframe. They can hold programmers accountable for the stability of agency applications.
Agencies do play a role in the configuration of the mainframe. They will pay additional costs when DTS maintains inefficient configurations or underutilized features for the benefit of an agency.
Server Hardware
No significant responsibilities for the agencies
Server Software
No significant responsibilities for the agencies
Storage Systems
No significant responsibilities for the agencies, as long as they have set data and application policies.
Data Center Maintenance
No significant responsibilities for the agencies
