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Mainframe Data Center

System Availability

 

 

 

System Hardware Configuration

uTech's Data Center uses an IBM z9 2096-N02 zSeries processor to support Western's host-based administrative information systems. The 2096-N02's two general purpose processors are rated at a combined 214 MIPS and are dedicated to running IBM's z/OS operating system. The system also utilizes a 480 MIP IFL which is dedicated to running z/VM and Linux.

Additional specs include 16 GB central storage (memory), 8 FICON channels, and 28 ESCON channels. 7 channels are dedicated to bus/tag devices through Optica converters.

Peripherals

Our peripheral direct access storage device (commonly referred to as DASD) consists of a IBM 2105 Model 800 with approximately 3.3 Terabytes of disk storage capacity.

Storage and Output

Tape storage includes IBM 3490-E devices with IDRC compression. Local printing capability consists of three IBM 6500V20's. Remote printing is also available on network printers.

Communication

Communications services are delivered through an IBM OSA card and a CISCO CIP card attached to a CISCO 7206 router.

Availability

System availability for z/Series-based information systems exceeds 99.8% annually.

 

System Software Configuration

Western's administrative applications are executed on an IBM z9 2096-N02 zSeries mainframe running the z/OS operating system. The five members of the uTech Data Center staff select, install, test, maintain, implement, and troubleshoot a wide variety of z/OS based products on test and production systems. Over 80 products from about 20 vendors make up this system.

A separate z/OS system is maintained on the same machine for use by WIU students enrolled in programming classes.

Data

IBM's DB2, a relational database management system, provides the structure for most of the administrative data. DFSMS/HSM handles data placement, backup, and archiving. CA1 manages the tape library. The RACF security package controls access to transactions and data.

System Access

On-line access to the z/OS system is managed through VTAM. Most users come into the system through personal computers attached to the campus LAN. QWS3270 Secure is used to provide SSL-enabled TCP/IP TN3270 access. Some student applications are available through the web as well.

User Sessions

A VTAM session manager, CL-Supersession, provides access to multiple concurrent sessions of TSO and CICS.

TSO is used for program development and job submission, and CICS is used for online application access.

Job Handling

Computer Associates, Inc.'s ESP scheduling product is used to automate the batch job submission process, and an in-house online documentation system assists in error recovery.

Reports

Routing and archiving of output reports are handled by $AVRS and TRMS. Output can also be routed to network printers through VPS and VPS/PC.

Applications

Administrative Information Management Systems (AIMS) provides programming services for the university. Several large applications handle such functions as student records, human resources, and accounting. Most programs are written inhouse, primarily in COBOL. Some applications use purchased programming packages, which are then tailored to fit our system and the user's needs. Some applications run on separate smaller computers and interface with the z/OS system.

Several administrative offices develop and maintain their own jobs on the mainframe, and are responsible for application and data access for their respective areas. Many have become proficient at using Easytrieve Plus to generate reports as needed.

A number of other monitoring, job accounting, and application development tools are also present on the z/OS system.