Tag Archives: CAMSS

zHyperLink: Just Another System z DASD I/O Function Enhancement?

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Over the last several decades or so the IBM Mainframe platform has delivered several new technologies that have dramatically improved the performance of disk (DASD) I/O performance.  Specifically the deployment of ESCON as the introduction to Fibre Optical channels, followed by EMIF for channel sharing and reduced I/O protocol, superseded by FICON and most recently zHPF.  All of these technologies have allowed for ever larger amounts of data to be processed by the System z server and the adoption of Geographically Dispersed Parallel Sysplex (GDPS) implementations for business continuity reasons.  Ultimately mission critical data and decisions are facilitated by applications and sub-second response times for these transactions is expected.  Some might say that we’re always running to stand still from a performance perspective when implementing the latest System z technologies?

In reality, today’s 21st Century mission-critical application is not just capturing and storing customer data, it’s doing so much more, attempting to make informed business decisions for a richer customer experience!  Historically a customer transaction would be on a one-to-one basis (E.g. ask for a balance query), whereas today, said transaction might generate more data for the customer, potentially offering them a new or enhanced product.  In theory, this informed and intelligent transaction processing delivers a richer experience for the customer and potentially new revenue opportunities for the business.

For several years IBM have integrated the Cloud, Analytics, Mobile, Social & Security (CAMSS) initiative into their product offerings, recognising that a business transaction can originate from the cloud or a mobile device, potentially via a Social Media platform, require rich processing via real-time analytics, while requiring the highest levels of security.  Of course, one must draw one’s own conclusions, but maintaining sub-second or ultra-fast transaction response times, with this level of CAMSS complexity requires significant performance enhancements.  To deliver such ultra-fast response times requires the DASD I/O subsystem to maintain the highest levels of performance, aligned with the latest System z server platform…

In January 2017 IBM issued a Statement of Direction (SoD) and associated FAQ for their zHyperLink technology.  zHyperLink is a new short distance mainframe link technology designed for up to 10 times lower latency than zHPF.  zHyperLink is intended to accelerate DB2 for z/OS transaction processing and improve active log throughput.  IBM intends to deliver field upgradable support for zHyperLink on the existing IBM DS8880 storage subsystem.  zHyperLink technology is a new mainframe attach link.  It is the result of collaboration between DB2 for z/OS, the z/OS operating System, IBM System z servers and the DS8880 storage subsystem to deliver extreme low latency I/O access for DB2 for z/OS applications.  zHyperLink technology is intended to complement FICON technology, accelerating those I/O requests that are typically used for transaction processing.  These links are point-to-point connections between the System z CEC and the storage system and are limited to 150 meter distances.  These links do not impact the z Architecture 8 channel path limit.

From a DB2 I/O service performance perspective viewpoint, at short distances, a native FICON or zHPF originated I/O typically requires 300 Microseconds (μs) for a simple I/O operation.  The coupling facility for z Systems typically can read or write 4K of data in in under 8 Microseconds.  zHyperLink technology will provide a new short distance link from the mainframe to storage to read and write data up to 10 times faster than FICON or zHPF; reducing DB2 I/O service times to an anticipated 20-30 Microseconds.

In conclusion, with a promise of 10 times faster processing, as per its fibre optic channel technology predecessors, particularly EMIF and zHPF, zHyperLink is a revolutionary DASD I/O function and not just another DASD I/O subsystem function enhancement.  At this stage, the deployment of zHyperLink functionality is restricted to DB2 and the IBM DS8880 storage subsystem, while we eagerly await compatibility support from EMC and HDS accordingly.  Moreover, as per the evolution of zHPF, we hope for the inclusion of other I/O workloads to benefit from this paradigm changing I/O response time technology.

Finally, as always, the realm of possibility always exists for each and every System z DASD I/O subsystem to be monitored and tuned on a proactive and 24*7*365 basis.  Although all of this DASD I/O performance data has always been and still is captured by RMF (CMF) data, intelligent processing of this data requires an ever evolving Performance Management process and arguably an intelligent software solution (E.g. IntelliMagic Direction Disk Magic or Technical Storage Easy Analyze Disk Mainframe) to provide meaningful information and business decisions from ever increasing amounts of RMF (CMF) data.  In November 2016 ago I delivered the DASD I/O Performance Management Is Easy? session at the UK GSE Annual 2016 meeting accordingly…

CICS: The Best Enterprise Transaction Server & So Much More…

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In one form or another, CICS has been available since the mid-1960’s, just about as long as the IBM Mainframe server that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, released in 1964.  From a deployment viewpoint, 90%+ of Fortune 500 companies deploy CICS, primarily for its robust and often unbeatable ability to deliver sub-second response times for numerous application transactions.  Whether a large or small IBM Mainframe user, CICS delivers an enterprise class solution for a myriad of business types and arguably at one time or another, nearly every committed IBM Mainframe installation has implemented CICS.

In the past few decades I have encountered many failed IBM Mainframe migration projects and more often than not, the primary reason for platform migration failure was the inability of the target platform to deliver consistent sub-second transaction response times for a plethora of mission critical business applications.  Similarly, it often follows that if a non-Mainframe environment has been heavily configured to handle the CICS transaction workload, it often fails with the subsequent batch processing, suffering from significantly elongated elapsed times.

CICS has its foundations as an enterprise class transaction server, capturing data input for subsequent storage and retrieval in Database Management Subsystems, but let’s not forget, CICS can do so much more…

Let’s not forget, in 2001 CICS Transaction Server (TS) 2.1 for z/OS introduced the foundation for web services support, and a capability for CICS transactions to be invoked via HTTP requests.  There have been numerous enhancements since, too many to mention, which have evolved CICS into a fully-rounded family of solutions, allowing for cradle to grave application design and delivery.  However, let’s just take some time to review what CICS TS Version 5 has delivered, and how this might benefit the 21st Century business.

Recognizing the IBM defined Cloud, Analytics, Mobile, Social & Security (CAMSS) initiative, CICS is integral to such a business facing initiative, primarily from a Cloud interoperability viewpoint.

The CICS V5.2 Application Server has a capability to host multiple applications and multiple versions of the same application, simultaneously, primarily due to the substantial increase of platform scalability.  Similarly, a heterogeneous code environment offers application development personnel a single environment to work seamlessly with Java and other legacy languages, such as COBOL, C/C++, PL/I, et al.

Combining this heterogeneous code environment with Cloud enablement allows for new application version deployment, without a requirement to disable or remove the previous version from Production processing.  Regardless of the underlying application source code base, end users can access an application without service interruption, as they transition to the new application version.  Similarly, user workloads can be seamlessly redirected to a previous working version of application code, presuming new version errors.

The CICS V5.2 application server delivers a powerful hosting environment for all business applications, new or old.  Application Development teams can provision applications for design and testing within a “real life working” infrastructure, removing the application when testing is complete, or promoting said application ASAP, for mission critical business usage.  This delivers a significant business improvement in application availability, minimizing service downtime.  Therefore, applications stay as current and relevant as possible, reducing the risk of business service outages, delivering better and consistent end user experiences.

As per the IBM zSeries Mainframe heritage, a standard resilience feature of the CICS V5.2 Application Server is an inherent capability to perform, even in the event of a problem scenario.  Cloud enablement delivers a clustering capability, which handles both system and application level failure scenarios.  Seamless and timely problem resolution dictates less down time, delivering more business availability, instilling a high sense of confidence in end users and consumers alike.

Noting the Security aspect of the IBM CAMSS initiative and the ever present cybersecurity risk to us all, CICS Application Server also delivers on this front.  Safeguarding that application enhancements can be brought online ASAP and securely, CICS V5.2 Application Server seamlessly integrates with various security software and languages, including the latest WebSphere Application Server (WAS) Liberty Profile, allowing for the portability of Java Enterprise Edition Web applications.  Enhanced security capabilities also include Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI), Bean Validation, JDBC Type 2 Data Sources and the Java Transaction API (JTAPI).  SSL support incorporated within the Liberty JVM server HTTP listener is extended to support key certificates stored in System Authorization Facility (SAF) key rings, delivering SSL server authentication.

Like it or not, Cloud computing is a rapidly evolving technology, where the Cloud is integrating increasingly more applications and associated services, delivering cost savings and scalability accordingly.  Of course, for true enterprise class scalability and cost efficiency, arguably the IBM zSeries Mainframe is an ideal platform for Cloud technologies.  Therefore with some slightly modified thinking, organizations can deploy Cloud based solutions and benefit from application promotion benefits, especially with a technology such as CICS.

There is a great presentation named Five Compelling Reasons for Creating a CICS Cloud that provides robust working examples of how to increase application availability, with real-life application development scenarios.

In conclusion, CICS continues to evolve and not only is it the best Enterprise Class Transaction Server, the family of CICS products including its Application Server deliver a 21st Century Cloud computing compatible platform, for the most demanding of business requirements.  Whether considering the IBM defined Cloud, Analytics, Mobile, Social & Security (CAMSS) initiative or the more traditional Reliability, Availability and Serviceability (RAS) attributes of the zSeries Mainframe server, the latest version of CICS facilitates:

  • Rapid Application Development: Agile methodologies for rapid development, irrespective of programming language (E.g. Java, COBOL, C/C++, PL/I, et al).
  • Seamless & Timely Application Deployment: More frequent application updates, minimizing downtime and associated cost, while leveraging from Cloud functionality, to deploy new applications, application enhancements or bug fixes, side-by-side with existing real-life Production workloads.

z13: A Digital Business Ready Solution?

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As per the usual next generation zSeries Server release, IBM announced their latest evolution on 13 January 2015, namely the z13. IBM describe this platform as the most powerful and secure system ever built:

  • First system able to process 2.5 billion transactions per day, built for mobile economy
  • Makes possible real-time encryption on all mobile transactions at scale
  • First mainframe system with embedded analytics providing real time transaction insights 17X faster than compared competitive systems at a fraction of the cost

At first glance, feeds and speeds generally don’t enthuse the audience, but if we dig deeper and acknowledge other recent IBM developments incorporating Apple, Twitter and Data Analytics announcements, we perhaps can draw some better business-facing conclusions. IBM have a clearly defined Cloud, Analytics, Mobile, Social & Security (CAMSS) initiative, seemingly based upon the IDC 3rd platform defined as Social, Mobile, Analytics & Cloud (SMAC).

Industry analysts predict that in the next 3 years and by 2017, SMAC (CAMSS) expenditure will account for 25%+ of total enterprise software market revenue, doubling from ~12% in 2012. In simple terms, this new expenditure opportunity represents $100+ Billion revenue. We can imagine that all major ISV’s will be wanting their share of this market…

Whichever classification you choose, IBM CAMSS or IDC SMAC, IT infrastructures and associated investment currently are and certainly will be heavily influenced by this new world computing paradigm. Like it or not, an ability to perform a transaction anywhere (Mobile), keeping everything simple and networked (Social Media), real time prediction of future customer requirements (Analytics), available anywhere (Mobile), for an alleged fraction of the cost (Cloud), makes sense for the 21st Century business. Ignore this new technology evolution at your peril as it will impact each and every area of the IT enterprise and associated resources, primarily software and supporting hardware.

Did you notice the difference between the IBM classification and IDC? IDC have not considered Security to be a consideration factor worthy of acronym (SMAC) inclusion. In today’s world of cybersecurity, that might be somewhat of an oversight, but we must assume that IDC consider cybersecurity to be a consideration for all of the Analytics, Cloud, Mobile & Social aspects, which of course it is!

If we consider the relative merits of technology platforms from a security viewpoint, the IBM z13 delivers EAL5+ security certification, whereas other non-Mainframe platforms can only currently claim EAL4+ certification.

It is estimated that 55%+ of enterprise (mission critical) transactions are processed by the IBM Mainframe, but this is based on pre mobile workloads. It therefore makes commercial sense for IBM to safeguard their flagship platform not only maintains the existing IBM Mainframe customer base, but captures new and mobile centric workloads.

Having considered the business requirements for today’s IT business, let’s now classify the new features of the z13 platform:

  • Up to 40% more total system capacity compared to the zEC12.
  • Up to 10 terabytes (TB) of available Redundant Array of Independent Memory (RAIM) real memory per server.
  • Cryptographic performance improvements with new Crypto Express5S.
  • Economies of scale with simultaneous multithreading delivering more throughput for Linux and zIIP-eligible workloads.
  • Improved performance of complex mathematical models, perfect for analytics processing, with Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD).
  • IBM zAware cutting-edge pattern recognition analytics for fast insight into system health extended to Linux on z Systems.
  • A reduction in elapsed time for I/O-bound batch jobs with new FICON Express16S versus FICON Express8S.
  • Support for larger memory configurations planned to be supported on z/OS systems, which can be used to improve transaction response times, lower CPU costs, simplify capacity planning and ease deploying memory-intensive workloads. (The IBM z13 offers up to 10 TB memory.)
  • I/O service time improvement when writing data remotely using the new zHPF Extended Distance II.
  • Support for up to 256 coupling CHPIDs, which provides enhanced connectivity and scalability for a growing number of coupling channel types.
  • IBM Integrated Coupling Adapter (ICA SR), which offers greater short reach coupling connectivity than existing link technologies and enables greater overall coupling connectivity per IBM z13 than prior server generations.
  • Capability to extend z/OS workload management policies into the SAN fabric.
  • New rack-mounted Hardware Management Console (HMC), helping to save space in the data center.
  • Non-raised floor option, offering flexible possibilities for the data center.
  • Optional water cooling, providing the ability to cool systems with user-chilled water.
  • Optional high-voltage dc power, which can help IBM z Systems clients save on their power bills.
  • Optional top exit power and I/O cabling designed to provide increased flexibility.
  • New IBM z BladeCenter Extension (zBX) Model 004 in support of heterogeneous resources managed by IBM z Unified Resource Manager.

As we all know, Moore’s Law had to end sometime soon and this is true for System z CPU chips. The zEC12 CPU was often claimed to be the fastest commercial processor, with a 32nm core and a 5.5 GHz rating. The z13 chip runs a 22 nm core at a 5 GHz, at first glance ~10% slower than the zEC12. The new z13 chip delivers a ~10% performance increase, due to advances in core design, with better branch prediction and pipelining in the core. Noteworthy, is the slightly slower clock speed of the z13 chip, reducing heat output, probably signifying that ~5 GHz is the ceiling for CPU chips in the near future.

However, for z13, the doubling of performance still apples for many other resources:

  • Cryptographic coprocessors performance (~2*)
  • Channel speed (~2*)
  • I/O bandwidth (~2*)
  • Memory/Cache performance (~2*)
  • Memory capacity (~3*)

Once again, classifying these technological advances in terms of mobile business, the z13 delivers real-time encryption of mobile transactions, protecting transaction data, delivering consistent response times for a quality customer experience. Overall, IBM claims the z13 delivers a potential for ~36% better response time, ~61% better throughput and ~17% lower cost per mobile transaction.

A major and subtle change introduced with the z13 is Simultaneous MultiThreading (SMT). SMT allows 2 active instruction streams per core, each dynamically sharing the core’s execution resources. SMT will be available in IBM z13 for workloads running on the Integrated Facility for Linux (IFL) and the IBM z Integrated Information Processor (zIIP).

Each software Operating System/Hypervisor has the ability to intelligently drive SMT in a way that is best for its unique requirements. z/OS SMT management consistently drives the cores to high thread density, in an effort to reduce SMT variability and deliver repeatable performance across varying CPU utilization, thus providing more predictable SMT capacity. z/VM SMT management optimizes throughput by spreading a workload over the available cores until it demands the additional SMT capacity.

From a capacity planning and performance measurement viewpoint, just a slight note of caution. Although the z13 CPU chip delivers increased CPU capacity, the raw speed is slower and there are considerations for SMT. A former IBM staffer, Bob Rogers has written a great article on this SMT subject matter, which should be on your reading list!

In conclusion, the z13 announcement is another step forward for zSeries Mainframes. If you consider this announcement as just another next generation zSeries Mainframe announcement, you’re not treating your business or yourself with the respect they deserve. Instead, please consider this z13 announcement as an evolution from an enterprise solution delivery viewpoint. Primarily, consider the 21st century business keywords, in no particular order, of Analytics, Cloud, Mobile, Social & Security.