IDUG NA 2025

Modern hybrid cloud infrastructures are becoming too complex for humans to manage efficiently and effectively. Shortage of experienced Db2 for z/OS professionals is further exacerbating the situation. This warrants a need for embracing AI and automation to augment human intervention to ensure the highest achievable availability and performance for Db2® for z/OS® systems. IBM Db2® AI for z/OS® ("Db2ZAI") provides three key features. 1. SQL Optimization – This empowers the optimizer in your Db2 for z/OS engine to determine the best–performing query access paths with performance validation based on your workload characteristics 2. System Assessment – This detects Db2 system performance exceptions and provides recommended actions for tuning which are based on your environment. 3. Distributed Connection Control (DCC) – This provides protection for Db2 for z/OS from unintentional disruptions and intrusions that can originate from remote applications This Hands–on Lab covers these main features provided by Db2ZAI.

Are your DB2 queries slowing down your applications? Are you struggling to meet performance SLAs? It's time to take control of your database performance with expert query tuning techniques.
This session will delve into the essential principles and best practices for optimizing DB2 queries. You'll learn how to:
 * Identify Performance Bottlenecks: Discover powerful tools and techniques to pinpoint the root causes of query slowdowns.
 * Leverage Explain Plans: Understand the execution plan of your queries to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for optimization.
 * Optimize Query Structure: Learn how to rewrite queries to improve their performance, including techniques like indexing, partitioning, and query hints.
 * Utilize DB2 Performance Tools: Explore the suite of DB2 performance monitoring and tuning tools to gain valuable insights into your database behavior.
 * Implement Effective Monitoring Strategies: Establish a robust monitoring framework to proactively identify and address performance issues.
By attending this session, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to significantly improve the performance of your DB2 queries, leading to faster response times, reduced system load, and enhanced overall database efficiency.

New to getting Open Mainframe Project Zowe up and running? Bring your laptop and join us for an informative workshop designed to guide you through the essential steps of installing and configuring Zowe's API ML, the open–source framework that facilitates mainframe services accessibility for both application developers and database administrators. This workshop will be divided into two main segments.
In the first part, we’ll dive into the critical Zowe configuration aspects, covering three key focus areas:1. YAML Edits – Learn how to customize configurations efficiently to suit your environment.2. Certificates Configuration – Understand the importance of security and how to set up certificates for seamless connectivity.3. Networking – Explore networking configurations that ensure Zowe communicates effectively across applications and your mainframe.
In the second part, we will shift our focus to how Zowe enhances the Db2 development and administration experience for users of Broadcom’s Db2 Suites. Discover how Zowe integration streamlines workflows and improves productivity. Whether you're a seasoned mainframe developer or new to the ecosystem, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge to leverage Zowe and transform how you interact with Db2 for z/OS.

Generally available since 2022, Db2 13 for z/OS continues to deliver new capabilities, with 74% (and
growing) of the capabilities being delivered via the continuous delivery stream. Meanwhile, Db2 12 for z/OS
end-of-support is announced for the end of 2025.

Join us for this free workshop, constructed by the original Db2 for z/OS Migration Planning Workshop author (V8 – V11). This workshop is designed to help you no matter where you are in the migration lifecycle. If you have not started your migration to Db2 13, now is the time to begin, and this workshop can help you to prepare and get started. If you already use Db2 13, chances are there is even more value to gain from this version, and this workshop can show you how.

DBAs, Designers, and Architects will find topics of interest throughout the entire session, while System Programmers may be more interested in the morning sessions and Application Developers the afternoon sessions. The topics are arranged by role to make best use of your time.

Topics will include:

• Migration (with best practices, scripts to assist, and a project plan)
• Serviceability & Resiliency (the highest-ranking category for features within Db2 13)
• New design & implementation features DBAs & Designers will appreciate
• Utilities update
• Security
• Storage changes
• Data Sharing
• Hardware synergy
• System Profiles
• Connectivity Considerations
• SQL Enhancements
• Optimization Evolution

IBM Db2 Query Monitor for z/OS, V3.4 offers current and historical views of query activity throughout Db2 subsystems. It gives you the ability to efficiently customize and tune your SQL workload and Db2 objects to validate the effectiveness of your Db2 subsystems and improve overall performance. It also offers you extensive choices so you can determine what monitoring information you will gather, and when.
DB2 Query Monitor for z/OS enables you to identify problem SQL activity and applications, allowing you to focus your efforts on improvement. DB2 Query Monitor enables you to do the following:  – Proactively manage DB2 resources  – React quickly and effectively to supply and demand–related DB2 problems (such as those resulting from inefficient SQL or inadequate object structures)  – Identify SQL requests that prevent critical requests from completing on schedule
Db2 Query Monitor comes with two interfaces, ISPF and a Web Client.  This hands on lab will take the user through the Web Client interface.   From your web browser, you can review query activity in Db2 Query Monitor, the SQL/CA, Db2 Commands, view alerts, and configure actions and responses. 

As the Data Lakehouse model revolutionizes data stores, it has become crucial to integrate vital IBM Z data within them. Experience how easy it can be to synchronize your vital IBM Db2 z/OS and VSAM data directly into Iceberg tables in Cloud Object Storage. With Data Gate for watsonx, get the power of the Open Lakehouse leveraging the most important data in your enterprise! 
Make sure to bring your own device to complete the lab exercises, and pre–create an IBM ID.