Cheryl’s List #24 – May 28, 1999

In this issue, I’ll cover the following:

1. Quickstart Policy Update
2. New HDS Processors
3. OS/390 R6 Re-ordering
4. Important WLM APAR Available
5. Update on DB2 APARs
6. SHARE Proceedings on the Web
7. CMG Roadshow

1. Quickstart Policy Update

My Quickstart Policy has helped hundreds of sites move easily into goal mode. I’ve just updated the article describing the policy and it can be found on our Web site at http://www.watsonwalker.com/qsp.html. If you’re already in goal mode, you might be interested in the changes and updates I’ve included.

And if you’re still in compatibility mode, you can also find a downloadable version of the Quickstart Policy available at the same Web address. This will provide a PDS containing the Quickstart Policy which you can modify and quickly use.

I often get questions about how to quickly get into goal mode. Be sure to check out our ‘Getting to Goal Mode – Step by Step’ at http://www.watsonwalker.com/goalmode.html.

2.  New HDS Processors

On May 10th, HDS announced their newest Pilot P9 processors. According to HDS, these machines are equivalent to the IBM G6 series that was announced on May 3rd (see our previous Cheryl’s List) and will be available for delivery in June 1999. HDS also provides a 13-way model (about 1700 MIPS), where the G6 models only went to a 12-way. Spec sheets may be found at http://www.hds.com/pilot/spec.html. The announcement, including a description of their Virtual Server Facility (VSF) can be found at http://www.hds.com/news/pr119.html. VSF is a feature to provide some customers with a reduction in software costs.

(By the way, in a previous Cheryl’s List when I announced the IBM G6 models, I implied that the HDS Trinium at 3200 MIPS would be available in September 1999. Tucker Johnson from USPS pointed out that that Trinium model won’t be available until the first quarter of 2000.)

The list below shows the new models with their MSUs. TUNING Letter subscribers who want my estimated MIPS may obtain them by sending an email with your company name and location to admin@watsonwalker.com. (Note: The asterisks denote Capacity Reserved Models.)

3. OS/390 R6 Re-ordering

IBM’s WSC Flash W99021 provides information on the reintroduction of OS/390 R6 ordering. This topic has been discussed in previous Cheryl’s Lists (see items #20 and #21 in our archives at http://www.watsonwalker.com/archives.html. Ordering began May 18, 1999 and will be available until June 30, 2000 in ServerPac and SystemPac format.

This extension of ordering dates allows current OS/390 R2 through R5 customers the ability to order a coexistence release of OS/390. The flash can be found at http://www.ibm.com/support/techdocs.

IBM recommends waiting until close to your install time to order R6 (to provide the latest and improved service levels).

4. Important WLM APAR Available

The WLM development team recently completed a PTF for APAROW37742 (closed May 6). This appears to be a very significant PTF for goal mode sites. The PTF will cause WLM to respond more quickly to changes in workload when running at high CPU utilization. It will be able to change dispatch priorities more quickly when high importance work starts to miss its goals due to lower importance work. This is expected to clear up all of the existing concerns about high priority work suffering due to lower priority work. If you’re on goal mode, be sure to apply this PTF.

5. Update on DB2 APARs

Roger Miller from IBM’s DB2 development provided has some comments on my note in the 1999, No. 1 TUNING Letter regarding DB2 APARs for parallel sysplex.

APAR PQ24154 (SYSLGRNX Page Regressed, closed 99/05/09) applies to a very small set of code in data sharing when using hiperpools. As far as Roger knows, this will apply to very few customers and can be ignored. The correct spelling in the title is SYSLGRNX (instead of SYSGRNX), and any page could be regressed if the problem is encountered.

Regarding my note about GBP duplexing, Roger pointed out that CF level 5 (not 6 as I stated) is the level required for duplexing. “The APARs which matter for GBP duplexing are PQ17797 that you identified, and PQ23245and PQ24862 that should be noted. Those APARs are all for V5 and will not go back to V4. APAR PQ25114 should also be put on, especially if customers have a mix of CF levels.” Customers interested in GBP duplexing should be aware of APAR PQ23042.

More from Roger:

“For the latest new function information, go to the DB2 for OS/390 home page, http://www.software.ibm.com/data/db2/os390/. Click on New functions in Version 5.

“There are several new books that might be interesting for readers. DB2 Answers was just published by Osborne /McGraw Hill. It was written by Richard Yevich, Susan Lawson, Klaas Brant and Sheryl Larsen and includes lots of help if you have DB2 questions. Two new draft Redbooks or Redpieces are on the Redbook web pages now.   They are SG24-5421 – DB2 Server for OS/390 Version 5 Recent Enhancements – Reference Guideand SG24-5351 – DB2 UDB for OS/390 Version 6 Performance Topics. Start at http://www.redbooks.ibm.com, then put DB2 into the search string and click on Submit. Click on Redpiece for the books you want. They come in Adobe Acrobat form, so you can read or print the pages you want of these 300 page books.”

Thanks so much, Roger!

6. SHARE Proceedings on the Web

SHARE is now providing a terrific new facility. They’ve put their entire conference proceedings on the Web in downloadable, printable, PDF format! Just go to http://www.share.org and click on ‘Proceedings’. You’ll find most, but not all, of the sessions presented at the last SHARE. THANK YOU, SHARE!

7. CMG Roadshow

CMG is currently taking some of their highlighted presentations on the road in June. You might be able to see them in your area soon. Check out the ‘Taste of CMG’ at http://www.cmg.org.

That’s all for now. Stay tuned!