IDUG NA 2025

This 3-day course will expose the beginning z/OS DBAs (Database Administrators) to the essentials of Database Administration for a Db2 13 for z/OS. This course will teach the students how to physically implement a logical database design using DDL and teaches considerations of referentially related tables. This course discusses the use of basic utilities, program preparation, serialization, and basic database security. This course does not cover distributed data processing, nor does it cover data sharing.

Note: This course does not prepare the novice to pass the exam.

The IBM Db2 Analytics Accelerator for z/OS(IDAA) has evolved enormously over the last 14 years since its introduction to the DB2 for z/OS world with the result that the IDAA of 2025 is a completely different proposition to customers compared to when it was originally presented to the market back in 2011.
As with many new functions and features of Db2 introduced over the years, it was not love at first with the IDAA, however, it is no longer a stand–alone Netezza appliance with periodic refreshes, limited SQL compatibility and limited use cases.  It is in fact a completely different hardware and software solution with multiple deployment options from IFLs on Z, a z/Linux One machine or even in cloud and it is also a completely new software based on the columnar DB2 BLU DW engine.
What this means for customers is that the IDAA of 2025 with lots more functionality and flexibility has become an extremely interesting and feasible solution to the many challenges that customers are facing from classical Analytical applications to Batch processing and OLTP transactions requiring analytical queries on real–time data.
This presentation will provide a brief overview of the changes to IDAA since its introduction explaining what and how these changes make the IDAA a completely different proposition for customers in 2025.
More importantly, the presentation will provide a technical explanation of how you can perform an assessment of your environment to be able to evaluate the potential benefits of IDAA in your shop, or, if you already have an IDAA, how you can identify new candidates for IDAA processing.
Finally, the presentation will provide tips and insights from real–world use cases highlighting not only the benefits but also the errors to avoid and the potential problems that you may encounter when offloading work to IDAA.

IBM provides us number of solution to achieve multisite HA/DR for PureScale clusters. Those include technologies like HADR Replication for PureScale Clusters, Geographically Dispersed PureScale Clusters, GPFS replication for PureScale Clusters, Q Replication for PureScale Clusters.
 In the presentation we will describe alternative approach, where replication across 2 sites is provided by Storage Array Layer, which allows us to achieve additional benefits like consistency groups going beyond single GPFS filesystem used by the PureScale, optimized network utilization where Storage Array replication happens on SAN Fiber, additional HA layer where filesystem can be cross mounted across sites which gives additional redundancy layer for storage availability.
  
 We implement solution by deploying Synchronic Storage Replication across 2 sites, where SAN fabric provides us NSD multi path connections from each side. This way on each side we have collection of NSD disks that are local to given side, and also connection to remote NSD disks from DR side. On both sites we install standalone PureScale clusters, independent from each, therefore failure of any of those clusters does not impact other side counterpart. Having 2 clusters we designate one as primary by creating PureScale managed GPFS on top of Storage Array Layer, and on top of that create Database with its' associated paths. Next we use gpfssync capabilities to export primary GPFS filesystem , and next mount the same on DR site. This allows us to mimic primary cluster on DR site, and next attach those synchronized mount points to TSAMP cluster on secondary site. Later on, we just move application connection to DR site, which can handle further ongoing workloads.
  
 Proposed solution is active–passive deployment, when at any given time only one cluster has connection to synchronized storage array. We achieve this by protections on each layer (NSD disks active on one site only, GPFS mounts online on one site only, database cataloging on one site only). This is crucial to ensure only one side has active writes to the cluster, so that we prevent any corruption of the data. In the presentation we provide procedures to setup such deployment, along with failover procedures where we move storage attachment from primary to secondary, and reverse. We also provide testing results where we verify solution, by forcing failover and more failure scenarios while processing application workload.

With fewer schools teaching DB2 for z/OS, it often falls on the DBAs to provide instruction for the programming staff. This is a very basic introduction to DB2 concepts and vocabulary, aimed at the novice user of DB2, or anyone who must train novice users.

This session provides an indepth overview of the best practices in running Db2 for z/OS Utiliites.  We will discuss various tips and recommendations on how to minimize application impacts and optimizing utility performance for each of the core utilities, using the latest functionalities delivered in Db2 13 up to level FL506.

Db2 13 introduced the ability to track execution of IBM Db2 utilities allowing users to gain insight into the performance of the utilities. In this session you will hear how it has been implemented, what information is recorded and when, and some ideas of how the feature can be used to improve your utility processing.

Join me on a journey through our first year of deploying SQL Data Insights (SDI) into production. Discover how SDI impacted our business processes, changed stakeholder perceptions of the mainframe, and enhanced our approach to data analysis.
We will start with a review of our first use case and discuss the resources consumed for training and scoring, as well as the impact SDI had on our business processes. 
SDI's most evident benefit is its ability to analyze data where it sits without having to export, transfer and reload it, and with minimal data science dependency. But how does it compare to more traditional approaches? To answer that, we'll compare SDI with other machine learning algorithms by applying them to a frequently used dataset for predicting diamond prices. We'll delve into the accuracy of the algorithms and see how SDI stacks up against data scientists' most loved algorithms.
Following that, we'll explore a brand–new use case that applies the new commonality–function in Db2 FL504. We'll discuss its usefulness, resource requirements, and potential impact on business processes, providing more practical insights into the power of SDI.
And finally, I'll share a use case that demonstrates how to identify outliers using SDI with Db2 monitoring data, ready to be applied in your own shop. 
Don't miss this opportunity to gain practical insights into the power of SDI and how it can transform your data analysis!

Trying to figure out the ins and outs of Db2 Log Space Management?  Spent too much time trying to figure out what settings are best for your environment?  With the introduction of Advanced Log Space Management the time has come to unleash it's potential.  Fully supported, the journey has begun in making log space management more autonomic.  This presentation will introduce you to some of the concepts and principles behind it all.  We will do a deep dive into the technology and transformation behind making log space management more hands off, which in the end will make life simple for you and your organization.

This presentation will review DBA solutions that have been developed and implemented to enhance the administration of Db2 Z/OS systems.  These solutions have been implemented   at Navy Federal Credit Union with Db2 V12 and V13 mission critical applications.  Db2 features such as SQL to review object usage, real–time statistics, utility history, package binds, Db2 health, dynamic query management and utility template generation will be discussed.

There are many sessions about the EXPLAIN facility in Db2 LUW, but they all lack the concise statements to find the right SQL queries, set everything up, do the EXPLAIN and draw the right conclusions by examples and working statements to copy–and–paste.
This is a back–to–basics session, enhanced with experiences from real situations and best practices.
The material was used for internal training of colleagues.

Mainframe is often perceived as the most secure platform in the world. However, the reality is that it is as secure as you make it. A group of well–known mainframe hackers shared their experience and lessons learned from the field. Specifically, they publicly showed the most common attack vectors for the mainframe. In this presentation, we will review their findings and see how these techniques can apply to Db2 for z/OS.

The IBM z platform synergizes with Db2 for z/OS to deliver numerous performance improvements. This session explores key enhancements that optimize system efficiency and reliability when migrating from z14 to z16. It will highlight areas such as CPU Improvement through enhanced memory and zIIP processor utilization, System Recovery Boost, focusing on Middleware Region Start/Restart, and IBM Integrated Accelerator for Z Sort . This session will also cover tools and best practices for monitoring memory usage and zIIP processor performance.

Join this session to gain insights on best proactices for using Broadcom Db2 utilities and explore traditional and emerging use cases, such as intelligent housekeeping, DevOps, test data management, and recovery compliance. You will learn how to get the most value out of the technology you have in your hands.

Over the years I have written about and presented various Top 10 lists related to Db2, database performance, and database administration. Each Top 10 list stands on its own about a specific topic. This presentation will deliver my all–time favorite Top 10 lists. The lists have been honed and modified over time –– and I will even have a few brand new lists to present for the first time ever.
Whether you are new to Db2, or a long–time practitioner, there will be something here for you!

Quickly and Easily solve your most demanding Db2 utility challenges using the latest capabilites available in the BMC AMI Db2 utilities. This presentation covers the latest enhnacements in the BMC utilities for Db2 zOS. Come learn how BMC customers solve their hardest operational problems every day using the Db2 utilities from BMC. Gain deep insights on the advanced performance, useability and automation features available today in the BMC Db2 Utilities that set us apart from the competion.

Join the product management to get an update on the new version of Db2 Analytics Accelerator V8 in detail. Learn about Accelerator-to-Accelerator Copy, New Performance Warehouse and more. Learn about new and latest member of IBM Z family, z17 & LinuxONE. How it makes a difference with Db2 Analytics Accelerator.

Join our treasure hunt to uncover vital tips and tricks for maximizing your investment in Broadcom tools! In this session, discover effective strategies for managing deprecated objects, navigating UTS conversions, and ensuring recovery compliance. Equip yourself with practical tools to tackle immediate challenges and enhance your Db2 subsystem performance. With real-world case studies to guide you, you'll leave with actionable insights ready for immediate implementation. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your Db2 maintenance approach!

The session will concentrate on new SWAT team experiences. Various unexpected outcomes and behaviors will be discussed as well has hot technical items customers are exploiting as well as technologies that have been challenging for customers. The complete session will be focused on customer experiences and sharing real life outcomes.
 
The hot topcis and customer interested are new subjects, topics and technologies that are experienced by the Db2 SWAT team updated for last 12 months of hot topics

Generative AI presents a transformative opportunity to address the knowledge and skill gap in mainframe environments, particularly for Db2 for z/OS. By leveraging large language models (LLM) and Retrieval–Augmented Generation (RAG) patterns, organizations can create intelligent systems that make mainframe expertise more accessible and actionable. When integrated with automation frameworks, these solutions not only simplify complex workflows for early tenure DBAs —reducing the steep learning curve—but also enable experienced DBAs to focus on strategic, high–value tasks. This session explores how generative AI can be applied to enhance mainframe productivity, preserve institutional knowledge, and create a scalable foundation for skills development across diverse user groups.

This session is meant to be a HADR beginners session (101. back to basics, however you want to call it). Showing what HADR is, how it works in general and how you get it started. Additionally I'll explain the most common configuration parameters, their purpose and possible trip wires on the way to a running HA cluster.
This session will NOT cover any cluster autmation like TSA or Pacemaker.

The access path chosen by Db2 has a major impact on SQL performance and overall application efficiency. This session offers a quick refresher on access path fundamentals and focuses on best practices for managing access paths across the application lifecycle to ensure stable workload performance. Discover key strategies to keep your applications running smoothly and efficiently.

Accurate catalog statistics are the lifeblood of the Db2 query optimizer. Db2 has had automatics statistics support since version 8.2 and real–time statistics were introduced in version 9.5. Automatic statistics collection is enabled by default for new databases and is the recommend best practice. So if you are still hesitant to use them, attend this session to gain a deeper understanding of how they work and why you can trust them to simplify your DB administration and improve overall query performance. In addition to providing details on the automatic statistics architecture, this presentation will provide details on ways to monitor and control automatic statistics collection so that it works well for any type of Db2 system.

When we talk about Mainframe Modernization, we usually discuss DevOps, Zowe, APIs, Java, Python, etc, but how often does anyone talk about how your security posture needs to be modernized?  Many of these systems were built 30–40 years ago when it was just batch, IMS and CICS.  Now we have traffic coming in from everywhere, whether it is via APIs, distributed Db2, or other means, you need to make sure you are prepared to monitor that traffic to prevent DDoS attacks, and make sure nobody is getting at your most sensitive data.  I will discuss some of the core Db2 Security features that companies should consider using along with Data Access Monitors like Guardium.