IDUG NA 2025

IDUG NA 2025

9:00am EDT

D201 | The HADR with Pacemaker for Cloud Deployments Workshop

Sunday June 8, 2025 9:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Db2 databases support the High Availability needs of many customers today. Db2 v11.5.5.0 saw the general availability of High Availability with Pacemaker on the Linux platform, providing a newer, Cloud–ready alternative to the TSA implementation. Newer releases have added support for AWS, Azure, Google Cloud and IBM Cloud environments, and many other refinements. This workshop will give you hands–on experience for managing a Db2 HADR with Pacemaker Cluster on the AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud or IBM Cloud. The session will cover the Cloud specific Implementation of Fencing and virtual IP Addresses. It will help you understand the information provided by the cluster utilities, across basic operations, diagnostics, and best practices from the IBM Labs This workshop will also demonstrate basic problem scenarios, troubleshooting and collection of essential support data to accelerate problem resolution in emergency cases.

Speakers

Toby Haynes

Senior Software Developer, IBM Canada

With a background in Observational Astronomy at the University of Cambridge, England, Toby joined IBM Canada in 1999 as a software developer in the Db2 Runtime engine. After eight years of development experience, he moved over to the Db2 Performance team to start work on what would... Read More →

Thomas Rech

Senior IT Architect - DB2 SAP Development, IBM

Thomas has been working in the Db2 area since 1996. Starting as a Db2 course instructor, he soon moved to the SAP on Db2 environment in 1997. He joined the SAP/IBM Db2 Development Team, followed by a role as technical sales consultant. He led several lighthouse projects like the first... Read More →

Sunday June 8, 2025 9:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Techwood

Audience Intermediate
Subject LUW

1:30pm EDT

D202 | Using Db2 and RAG Generation with LLMs

Sunday June 8, 2025 1:30pm - 5:00pm EDT

Have you ever tried to use an LLM? How exactly can they be used in a business environment? And how can Db2 help with the accuracy of what an LLM produces?
This lab will take you through the various components that are used to create a system that generates a RAG (Retrieval–Augmented Generation) for an LLM to use to answer a question. You will get a chance to experiment with a system that provides a environment where you can try out different prompts and settings to see how an LLM will respond to your question.
You will also get to see how Db2 fits into this picture and what vector calculations (and Vector databases) do when generating a RAG prompt.

Speakers

George Baklarz

Technical Specialist, IBM

George Baklarz, B. Math, M. Sc, Ph.D. Eng., has spent many years in IBM working on various aspects of database technology. In 1991, George was part of the team that introduced the Db2 distributed product to the market. He has written 14 books on Db2 and has a patent for the process... Read More →

Sunday June 8, 2025 1:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Techwood

Audience All
Subject AI / ML

11:30am EDT

D2 | How to Recover When Recovery Seems Impossible

Monday June 9, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

Db2 professionals spend a significant amount of time preparing for the worst–case scenarios. How many image copies do you take daily? How much space do these image copies occupy?
The primary reason for taking backups is to facilitate recovery. However, there are times when we face recovery situations and find that we cannot perform the recovery as outlined in our training or manuals.
This presentation will explore alternatives to typical Db2 recovery methods, with the top priority being the recovery of broken, invalid, or compromised Db2 objects. We will discuss various redirected recovery techniques and their applications.
Over the years, Db2 releases have enhanced recovery capabilities to address data availability and retention. This presentation will explain how these changes can impact recovery strategies.
Attendees will leave with new insights and methods for accessing and recovering Db2 data.

Speakers

Chad Reiber

Software Consultant, BMC Software

In 1983 Chad Reiber started in IT with AT&T as a developer of data generator software. From there he moved into the database arena as a database administrator for IMS, IDMS, and Db2. Chad has been working with Db2 since 1987. Chad began working for BMC Software in 1997 as a Software... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, SQL App Dev and Modernization

Audience Intermediate
Subject z/OS

2:00pm EDT

D3 | Index Modernization in Db2 for z/OS: Because Things Have Changed the Past 20 Years!

Monday June 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

As technology evolves and data volumes surge, the same indexing strategies that worked well 20 years ago are probably no longer optimal. This presentation exposes the critical need for index modernization in Db2 for z/OS applications.
We’ll start by reviewing the critical role of indexes and their history in Db2 for z/OS to set the stage. Then we’ll take a look at the many innovations IBM has applied to indexes in Db2 for z/OS over the past few releases including things like index compression, Fast Traverse Blocks (FTBs), and index features like include columns and indexing on expressions.
With a sound foundation of the recent index capabilities under our belts, we’ll discuss changing data patterns and their impact on indexing. Topics we’ll discuss include big data and analytics, the impact of data growth, and the surge in dynamic SQL.
And we’ll also show how to capture SQL usage (both static and dynamic) to design optimal indexes based on actual usage and access patterns.
By understanding these factors and adopting modern indexing techniques, organizations can significantly enhance the performance, scalability, and overall efficiency of their Db2 for z/OS applications and systems.

Speakers

Craig Mullins

President & Principal Consultant, Mullins Consulting, Inc.

Craig is president & principal consultant of Mullins Consulting, Inc. and an in-demand analyst, author and speaker. He has over three decades of experience in all facets of database systems development. Craig has worked with Db2 on the mainframe since Version 1 and has experience... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, SQL App Dev and Modernization

Audience All
Subject z/OS

3:20pm EDT

D4 | SQL Joins – In Depth

Monday June 9, 2025 3:20pm - 4:20pm EDT

The joining of two or more tables in SQL is a great feature of the SQL language. So often we need to combine data from more than one table into the same row output. Depending on your logic needed, the language provides us with different types of joins. This presentation starts off basic and builds into more in–depth logic and performance when having the need to process more than one table in a query. The different types of joins presented are:
Inner Joins (Inner join vs comma delimited syntax)
Left Outer Joins
Right Outer Joins
Full Outer Joins
Outer Joins with 'On clause Extensions'
Self Joins (Same table in FROM clause more than once)
This presentation will:

Take you deeper into SQL join logic
Help udertstand when specific joins are needed
Understand the performance of joins
Understand 'On Clause Extensions' and when to use them
Understand the need for the same table in FROM clause more than once *Self Joins)

Speakers

Tony Andrews

Mainframe Developer/Trainer, P+T Solutions, Inc.

Tony Andrews has more than 30 years’ experience in the development of relational database applications. Most of this time, he has provided development and consulting services to Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Tony has written literally thousands of queries and programs... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 3:20pm - 4:20pm EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, SQL App Dev and Modernization

Audience All
Subject Cross Platform

4:30pm EDT

D5 | 10 Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Move to Developer Extension from Data Studio

Monday June 9, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

IBM has announced the withdrawal of IBM Data Studio support for IBM Db2 for z/OS effective on March 31, 2025. The key Data Studio capabilities that support Db2 for z/OS application developers are now available, in IBM Db2 for z/OS Developer Extension.
This session aims to ease the migration from Data Studio to Developer Extension. It will introduce best practices and tips that would help users in the migration process. eg. How easy is it to transfer data, projects, or workflows to the new tool?
User scenarios will be introduced to demostrate how to work in the new tool in a comparable way with Data Studio. eg. How to develop a Java Stored Procedure?
From the session, users would learn IBM Db2 for z/OS Developer Extension is a light weighted and modern tool with better performance. They would gain more confidence to migrate to the new tool.

Speakers

Ke Chen

Technical Lead, IBM

I have worked on Db2 tools development for more than 16 years. I have developed Db2 tools from generation to generation, from Data Studio to DSM, from DSM to DMC. I was the developer lead and owner of Data Studio. And I'm the technical lead of IBM Db2 for z/OS Developer Extension... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, SQL App Dev and Modernization

Audience All
Subject z/OS

10:20am EDT

D6 | A 50–Cent Tour of Db2

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am EDT

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.

Speakers

Mark McNary

DBA 3, UMB Bank n. a.

Mark McNary has been using DB2 since 1989 as a programmer and later as a DBA. He is currently the lead DB2 DBA for UMB Bank in Kansas City MO. This company is currently in the process of converting many of their legacy systems from VSAM to DB2, and getting the existing staff up to... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, Database Practices

Audience All
Subject z/OS

11:30am EDT

D7 | DIY Db2 z/OS Administration Solutions

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

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.

Speakers

Steven Loesch

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, Database Practices

Audience All
Subject z/OS

2:00pm EDT

D8 | My All–Time Db2 Top Ten Lists

Tuesday June 10, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

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!

Speakers

Craig Mullins

President & Principal Consultant, Mullins Consulting, Inc.

Craig is president & principal consultant of Mullins Consulting, Inc. and an in-demand analyst, author and speaker. He has over three decades of experience in all facets of database systems development. Craig has worked with Db2 on the mainframe since Version 1 and has experience... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, Database Practices

Audience All
Subject z/OS

4:30pm EDT

D9 | Mastering Access Path Management in Db2 for z/OS: Simplify, Optimize, Succeed

Tuesday June 10, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

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.

Speakers

Denis Tronin

Product manager, Broadcom

Denis Tronin is an experienced IT professional and product manager, skilled in mainframe technologies (Db2 for z/OS, system performance, workload automation), API management (Zowe API Mediation Layer), and DevOps. He is an IBM Champion and a frequent speaker at major industry con... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, Database Practices

Audience All
Subject z/OS

10:20am EDT

D10 | Db2 13 for z/OS: Using the Profile Tables to Monitor and Enforce Security Requirements for DDF Applications

Wednesday June 11, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am EDT

The Db2 for z/OS profile tables have long been helpful for managing a DDF workload in a granular (e.g., application–specific) way, regarding matters such as connection, thread, and idle thread timeout limits. Some fairly recent Db2 13 APARs have extended profile table functionality to include monitoring and enforcement of security requirements for DDF–using applications. This new capability can be leveraged to greatly reduce the risk of application disruption related to implementation of a new DDF application security requirement, such as a requirement for certificate–based (versus password–based) client authentication, or a requirement for use of AT/TLS encryption (commonly known as SSL encryption). In this session, you'll get a quick refresher on Db2 profile table functionality, and you'll learn about the enhancements provided by the aforementioned Db2 13 APARs. We'll explore some scenarios for advantageous exploitation of the new profile table functionality, and we will highlight a real–world example of putting profile table security functionality to work.

Speakers

Scott Walker

Database Engineer - Db2 for z/OS, Navy Federal Credit Union

I started my career as a COBOL programmer in 2004. The first Db2 version I worked with was version 7. In 2011, I took my programming and database skills into the DBA role and learned more about Db2 through the administration role. In 2013 and 2017, I moved to two other companies further... Read More →

Gayathiri Chandran

Technical Lead, IBM

Gayathiri Chandran is a Senior Software Engineer in Db2 for z/OS development at IBM Silicon Valley Laboratory. She is the technical lead for Db2 for z/OS Security and drives the strategy, design and development of security functions. She speaks on the Db2 security topics at various... Read More →

Wednesday June 11, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, Database Practices

Audience All
Subject z/OS

11:30am EDT

D11 | Isn't She aDORAble? A DBAs Guide to DORA, PCI DSS V4.0.1 and How to Survive an Audit!

Wednesday June 11, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

This presentation will highlight the contents of the European Union DORA (Digital Operation Resilience Act) which came into force in Janary 2025 and the PCI DSS V4.0.1 which came into force in March 2025.
Both of these are wide reaching and truly global in range! They both contain lists of things that, especially for Financial technical service providers (FINTECH), must be done on a regular basis to show that you, as a firm, are doing "Due Diligence" in the fight against "The Black Hat Brigade" who are alwasy trying to Hack, Steal or Ransom your data!
Further, this presentation will show you how to build a basic system to protect your firm, and yourself, from any Audit requirements that are currently required by both laws and also the Centre for Internet Security (CIS) rules for Db2 13 for z/OS.

Speakers

Roy Boxwell

Senior Software Architect, Software Engineering GmbH

Roy Boxwell is an IBM Champion with more than 38 years of experience in MVS, OS/390, and z/OS environments – 37 of those in Db2. He specializes in installation, migration, and performance monitoring and tuning. Roy leads the SEG development team responsible for the real-time database... Read More →

Wednesday June 11, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, Database Practices

Audience Intermediate
Subject z/OS

2:00pm EDT

D12 | Db2 12.1 – Ready for the Deployments and Workloads of the Future

Wednesday June 11, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

In this session we will walk through the many investments Db2 has made to ensure Db2 is ready for modern workloads and deployments. Modern workloads includes capabilities such as mixed workloads, multi–model capabilities, NoSQL capabilities, enabling columar to handle all types of analytic workloads, AI/ML capabilities and more. Modern deployments includes our SaaS capabilities, containerization investments, capabilities to integrate Db2 12.1 into a Lakehouse environment to be ready for AI projects and deployment options and more. This is a good session for all Db2 users who are working to take modernization steps in their environments.

Speakers

Les King

Principal, Learning Content Development, IBM

Les King has impacted the vision for IBM’s Hybrid Data Management strategies, which includes Big Data, Analytics, Database and Cloud Data Services by acting as a trusted advisor both to clients and within IBM. This role is now inclusive of how the world of AI and Quantum computing... Read More →

Wednesday June 11, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, Database Practices

Audience All
Subject LUW

4:30pm EDT

D13 | DB2 Always on Architecture

Wednesday June 11, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

In this presentation we will discuss what is required to build an "always on" architecture. This is not limited to Db2 LUW, but rather spans the entire software and hardware stack. Systems are only as reliable as thier weakest point, so how to we work around this limitation? Technology is the easiest part of an Always On architecture, so what makes it so difficult to implement? There are many aspects that need to examined such as:
Can the "CAP" theorem be disproved? Stop by this presentation and find out for yourself.

Speakers

Dale McInnis

Principal Data Technical Specialiust, IBM

Dale McInnis is a Principal Data & AI Technical Specialist from the IBM Toronto Canada Lab. He has a B.Sc.(CS) from the University of New Brunswick and a Masters of Engineering(M.Eng) from the University of Toronto and is currently pursuing his PhD in computer science. Dale joined... Read More →

Wednesday June 11, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, Database Practices

Audience All
Subject LUW

9:00am EDT

D14 | DB2 Universal Translator between z/OS and LUW

Thursday June 12, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

The intent of this presentation is to allow DBAs with either Db2 z/OS or Db2 LUW skills apply thier knowledge to the other Db2 platform. There is a lot of commonality between these versions of Db2, however there are some huge differences. Deployment models, differences in functionality and how each is structured will be explained in detail.

Speakers

Dale McInnis

Principal Data Technical Specialiust, IBM

Dale McInnis is a Principal Data & AI Technical Specialist from the IBM Toronto Canada Lab. He has a B.Sc.(CS) from the University of New Brunswick and a Masters of Engineering(M.Eng) from the University of Toronto and is currently pursuing his PhD in computer science. Dale joined... Read More →

Jerome Gilbert

IBM

Thursday June 12, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, AI Data Mining and ML

Audience All
Subject LUW

10:10am EDT

D15 | Vector Support in IBM Db2: Empowering the Development of Modern LLM Applications

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:10am - 11:10am EDT

Large language models (LLMs) have revolutionized AI by enabling a new category of applications called language apps. Enterprises have widely started using these apps for various purposes such as chatbots, document summarization, question–answering, and information retrieval. This has sparked renewed interest in AI in recent years. A crucial aspect of language apps is the generation of vector embeddings using language models. This process converts unstructured content, like PDFs, into AI–readable representations. These embeddings are used for vector similarity search, which offers more precise semantic search compared to traditional methods. However, vectors have high dimensionality, so they need cost–effective and secure storage, as well as efficient search methods. Db2 is introducing its first phase of vector support, which includes in–database vector storage, vector similarity search, and various vector operations. In this presentation, the Speaker will discuss Db2’s upcoming vector support features and how they can be utilized to develop modern LLM applications with Db2.

Speakers

Shaikh Quader

AI Architect, IBM Db2, IBM

Shaikh Quader is the AI architect of IBM Db2. He develops database features to improve database operations with ML and help users deploy ML models in the database. Shaikh manages research collaboration between IBM and a few Canadian universities. He and his team developed 5 Python... Read More →

Mike Springgay

Db2 Architect, IBM

Mike Springgay is the Db2 Architect. Prior to that he was responsible for architecting extensions to Db2’s Warehouse capabilities, SQL compatibility features, routine infrastructure and client server connectivity.

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:10am - 11:10am EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, AI Data Mining and ML

Audience All
Subject LUW

11:20am EDT

D16 | Access Path Management (with and without AI): Best Practices for influencing the Db2 for z/OS Query Optimizer and for Minimizing the Risk of Access Path Changes

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:20am - 12:20pm EDT

Db2 for z/OS provides several features to influence the query optimizer. Learn how to leverage these features to improve query performance, and to avoid access path changes that introduce the risk of regression after a BIND, REBIND or full PREPARE. Also, should an access path regression occur, learn what your options are to quickly restore performance.The session includes how Db2ZAI works with the Db2 optimizer to improve query performance while minimizing the risk of access path regression.

Speakers

Thomas Beavin

Senior Software Engineer, IBM

Thomas Beavin joined IBM in 1986 as a Db2 developer working in the Utilities area. In 1994 he joined the Db2 query optimizer development team, where he is still currently a member. He has designed features and written code for every release of Db2 since version 1 release 2.In recent... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:20am - 12:20pm EDT
Techwood

Technical Session, AI Data Mining and ML

Audience All
Subject z/OS

1:00pm EDT

D203 | The Next Generation of Services for Db2 Administration and Development Workshop

Thursday June 12, 2025 1:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Bring your own device to this workshop, where you will have a chance to perform a hands–on lab to experience the latest deliverables towards Db2 user transformation.

Db2 administrator personas can execute some of their daily tasks in a more intuitive way via Db2 Administration Foundation and its integration with Db2 Tuning Services, Query Workload Tuner and IDAA Administration services. Last but not least, administrators can also benefit from Db2 DevOps experience (DBaaS) to “shift–left” database operations to application developers under their rules and administrative directives.
Db2 application developer personas can develop / test and deploy application changes that also require database change in a speed that business demand. Using Db2 Developer Extension in IDE will simplify coding of SQL including native stored procedure code. Using Db2 DevOps Experience services (DBaaS), developers can, on demand, self–service database operations under the rules previously established by the Db2 administrators.

Speakers

Sueli Almeida

XuQin Zhao

Software Developer, IBM Silicon Valley Lab

XuQin Zhao is the Tech Lead for the SQL Tuning service, with over 15 years of experience in the development of SQL monitoring and optimization tools. She has played a key role in advancing technologies that enhance database performance and efficiency.

Thursday June 12, 2025 1:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Techwood

Audience All
Subject z/OS