21
Thu, Nov
1 New Articles
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. MORE
  4. Commentary
  5. Analysis of News Events
  6. Happy Halloween with IBM i 7.3 Technology Refresh 1

Happy Halloween with IBM i 7.3 Technology Refresh 1

Analysis of News Events
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

IBM announces a new cloud storage product inside IBM i 7.3 TR 1.

 

It’s October and that means two very important things:

One, I get to impose my yearly Sheriff of Nottingham-style 10 percent candy tax on my three kids after Halloween. And two, IBM has released its fall announcement for IBM i, in this case the news that IBM i 7.3 Technology Refresh 1 and 7.2 Technology Refresh 5 have been announced.

While there are many overlapping updates, I’ll speak to 7.3 Technology Refresh 1 as it’s the latest and greatest.

IBM Cloud Storage Solutions for i

First and foremost, most people know I’m not a huge cloud proponent. I view cloud as a strategy where you pick your spots where it makes sense and glean savings or efficiencies compared to on-premises solutions.

With that being said, the big fish in this Technology Refresh is the Cloud Storage Solutions for i.

As per the announcement letter:

“Cloud Storage Solutions for i (5733-ICC) is a new Licensed Program Product that is based on an API that gives IBM i clients a portal for connecting to public and private clouds in order to send and receive data. The initially supported public cloud is SoftLayer. Private clouds are also supported through backup recovery service providers who implement the API infrastructure.

BRMS is enhanced to take advantage of Cloud Storage Solutions for i by utilizing cloud storage to move the data off site, without the need for a local tape drive. This is the automated option when conducting normal backup and recovery operations. Command line and custom scripts are available to utilize cloud storage.

Cloud Storage Solutions for i can also be used independently of BRMS to mirror IFS files to cloud storage for sharing and distribution through command line instructions and custom scripts.

The initial version will support VPN-based connections for security, and FTP transfers can also be used to send and receive data.

Additional features include asynchronous transfers, parallel transfers, and a transfer progress indicator.

Cloud Storage Solutions for entitlements are acquired on a per virtual server (per partition) basis. An entitlement is also available for an unlimited number of virtual servers or partitions for a machine.”

This product will be available on October 28.

I’ll use this to give you a little insight into the COMMON Americas Advisory Council (CAAC). I’m not going to speak on behalf of the CAAC as it’s not my place. What I will say is that we had a great discussion with IBM about this product under a year ago, and I’m really pleased to see this offering come to fruition so quickly. Why does this matter? IBM works with customer advocates to ensure that what they’re working on is what customers want. They do the same for the ISVs. When they roll out a brand-new feature like this, you can be sure that it was vetted in advance. In short, IBM is listening to you.

This product is great for everybody who wants to back up their data to off-site cloud storage as well as for IBM Business Partners and ISVs who want to host their customers’ backups.

Is it a solution to back up major amounts of data? No. We’re all bound by our ISPs in terms of Internet throughput. You can only push so much data through your pipe at one time. For large amounts of data, you could probably take advantage of a LAN-connected solution via the API. I’ll come back to this at a later date because I haven’t seen it in action yet. Keep an eye out. This solution is money.

Container Support for USB Flash and RDX Drives

IBM i has had some limited USB support in the past, but 7.3 Technology Refresh 1 has support for you to load a USB drive with PTFs among other things. Evidently, containers make USB Flash and RDX look like a stack of DVDs. More to come on this, but I’ll assume it’s very similar to a USB-mounted image catalog, based on IBM’s description. This solution will be a silver bullet for Business Partners and consultants who do on-site upgrades.

Rational Developer for i V9.5.1

Not to leave out the Mac users until third on the list. Maybe this should’ve been much nearer the top. Big news is that RDi now is supported on MAC OS X. Additionally, RDi has added Kerberos support so developers can take advantage of Windows (and Mac!) Single Sign-On (SSO).

Other features in RDi are:

  • ILE RPG Outline subset to referenced variables
  • ILE RPG live model improvements
  • IFS synchronization support for local projects
  • Run SQL Queries from RDi, now with Formatter!
  • Visual Explain
  • Improved Spool File support
  • Block nesting shows containing procedure/subroutine
  • EGit plugin support—Easy integration with Git for source control

Open Source

IBM i now has support for the Perl programming language. Maybe this should’ve been near the top too.

Perl has been around forever, so there’s a rich support community online. Also announced is Node.js V6. We’ll have it available in our developer tool arsenals by the end of 2016. IT managers in 2016 cannot ignore open source. Period.

DB2

Of course, there’s plenty of updates for DB2 in this update. Here are the features as per the IBM developerWorks page for 7.3 TR1 enhancements:

Functional Enhancements

DB2 for i Performance Enhancements

QSYS2.OBJECT_LOCK_INFO, QSYS2.SYSPROGRAMSTAT, QSYS2.SYSPROGRAMSTMTSTAT, QSYS2.OUTPUT_QUEUE_ENTRIES, QSYS2.OUTPUT_QUEUE_INFO

DB2 for i Services (New)

IBM i Services (New and Enhanced)

·      QSYS2.HISTORY_LOG_INFO()

·      QSYS2.JOB_INFO()

·      SYSTOOLS.GROUP_PTF_CURRENCY

·      SYSTOOLS.GROUP_PTF_DETAILS

·      QSYS2.OBJECT_STATISTICS()

·      QSYS2.GET_JOB_INFO()

·      QSYS2.DISPLAY_JOURNAL()

IBM i Access Client Solutions

IBM i 7.3 Technology Refresh 1 also includes IBM i Access Client Solutions updates. Those updates actually went live late this summer. You can read about that here in my interview with IBM’s Tim Rowe, who’s the Business Architect for Application Development and Systems Management for IBM i.

Access Client Solutions has been rolling out updates regularly since it’s inception. To be exact, eight updates (full releases or fix pack updates) have been released in the last 18 months. They make a roundup announcement to include in the Technology Refresh announcement, but for a regular update on all things ACS keep watching this space. I’m sure I’ll hear from Mr. Rowe again very soon.

Steve Pitcher
Steve Pitcher works with iTech Solutions, an IBM Premier Business Partner. He is a specialist in IBM i and IBM Power Systems solutions since 2001. Feel free to contact him directly This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: