The document is a presentation by Sam Knutson from GEICO about lessons learned working with IBM mainframes. Some key points discussed include: - The mainframe is a robust, scalable, and highly available platform that can deliver cost savings for mission-critical applications. - Tips are provided for practitioners supporting mainframe infrastructure, including the importance of documentation and change management practices. - Career advice is offered such as getting involved in user groups and online communities to stay inspired and learn from others.

1. Lessons Learned so
Far “Sam I Am”
Sam Knutson
GEICO
sknutson@geico.com
SHARE in Seattle
March 15, 2010

2. 2
Abstract
In today’s tough economic times, IT executives are looking for
inventive ways to cut costs and maximize their ROI on corporate IT
spending. The IBM System z mainframe can deliver a highly
scalable, low cost, robust, and highly available infrastructure to
support mission-critical web and legacy applications.
Sam Knutson has spent his entire professional career to date
working with IBM mainframes and has a ideas to share that you may
find useful. He will talk about why mainframe is a good choice as a
business platform and a career. Some tips for practioneers who
support mainframe infrastructure will be related. A few life and work
lessons learned will be shared related to how to suceed, tools you
might use, community you can embrace, and where to find sources
of inspiration to engergize you. I want you to have fun and make a
good living doing this!
= really important point

3. 3
About me
> Sam Knutson System z
HW/SW/Automation team
leader, GEICO MVS Program
Manager, SHARE
> 23 years as a mainframe
professional
> Before that Lifeguard, loaded
trucks for UPS, graduated
DeVry and more
> Application Developer, Systems
Programmer, ISV Support, ISV
Developer, Capacity Planning,
Performance, and Availability
on System z, now a team
leader

4. 4
robust
robust ro-’bəst adj [From Latin robustus, oaken timber.]
1. Strong, healthy, vigorous.
2. In computer programming, able to perform despite bugs.
3. In coffee, brews that induce caffeine-driven feats of
productivity [see also ‘Juan Valdez’].
USAGE: The word is getting a healthy workout in business
currently, being used frequently as a synonym for ‘good’.
Source: Southwest Airlines Spirit magazine BUSINESS
DICTIONARY November 2009

5. 5
Why the mainframe?
> Secure
§ RACF, CA ACF2, CA Top-Secret all mature support standard
SAF interface
§ Robust alerting, reporting and auditing are available
§ Compliance “easy” relative to other other platforms
§ Vulnerabilities more easily managed than other platforms
> z/OS Statement of Integrity
§ Google or http://tinyurl.com/zOSIntegrity
§ System integrity prevents unauthorized programs from
obtaining access to read or modify memory they should be
prohibited from or from gaining authorized privledges
§ IBM’s long-term commitment to System Integrity is unique in
the industry
§ Security and Integrity combine to protect your system, data,
transactions, and applications from accidental or malicious
modification

6. 6
Why the mainframe?
> Reliable
§ RAS = Reliability, Availability, Serviceability
§ 99.999% equates to less than 5 ½ minutes a year
§ No single point of failure
§ High availability requires attention to detail and exploitation of
Sysplex and rolling IPL’s this cannot be achieved through a
single system image
§ Boston 2829 - z/OS Availability Myths & Legends by Chris
Craddock
§ Redbook System z Mean Time to Recovery Best Practices
§ Redbook z/OS Planned Outage Avoidance Checklist
§ IBM High Availability Center of Competency (HACoC)
– Additional Information à Availability for the Paralell Sysplex
§ Run Health Checker for z/OS

7. 7
Why the mainframe?
> Scalable
§ Workloads can grow on demand without adding
infrastructure support people, data center capacity
> Recoverable
§ DR that works
> World Class Business data and transaction engines
§ DB2 for z/OS
– The top 59 banks in the world, 23 of the top 25 US
retailers, 9 of the top 10 global life/health insurance
providers
– Supports world’s largest known peak database
workload 1.1 Billion SQL statements @ hour at UPS
§ CICS Transaction Server 40 years of Innovation
§ IMS Do you bank? Do you use ATMs? Do you use the
internet? Then you've used IMS. Nothing has ever
compared to the reliability and speed of IMS!

8. 8
Why the mainframe?
> TCO
§ Right workloads have good TCO “Fit for purpose”
§ IBM Scorpion study one means of quantifying
§ Excellent video series by Marlin Maddy on IBM TV
http://tinyurl.com/ibmtvscorpion1
§ Session 2205 System z: Building the Business Case for System z
@ Tue, 11:00am, Washington State Convention Center,Second
floor,Room 210 Attend this session
§ Energy, Floor space, Scalability driving “Mainframe Renaissance”
Lean, Mean, Green
> Scorpion Video series
§ part 1: Mainframe Cost Misconceptions
§ part 2: Server Proliferation and Utilization
§ part 3: Facility and Infrastructure Considerations
§ part 4: Saving Money with zIIPS, zAAPs and IFLs
§ part 5: Building a Business Case
§ part 6: The Best Fit for System z

9. 9
Why not rehosting?
> A number of vendor offer “mainframe migration” or
“modernization”
> Rehosting is not a quick fix though cost pressures may make
it impossible to avoid an attempt
> Services are normally required and projects may take longer
than expected or not complete
§ Typically no new function is delivered
> Rehosted COBOL code does not go away
§ COBOL skills are still needed
§ 20B lines of active COBOL the language will remain
viable for many years
§ Complete rewrite to “Next Generation” still needed
§ Debugging and support skills may not translate without a
loss of productivity into another environment without
familiar tools which are still generally needed to support
the remaining mainframe workload

10. 10
Why not rehosting?
> Most mainframe strengths lost when running in an emulated
or transformed environment on another platform including
assumptions about disaster recovery
> Protection of key business data requires proven transactional
integrity
§ Also known as the “ACID” properties - Atomicity,
Consistency, Isolation, Durability
> Emulated solutions are represented as equivalent to
enterprise transaction or database subsystems but are not
complete replicas of IBM products only support a subset of
functions
> Functions taked for granted on z/OS like VSAM may be
different or not available

11. 11
CA Mainframe 2.0
> Changing the Way You Manage the Mainframe Forever
§ Leadership
§ Delivered results
§ Ambitous public Roadmap
> Watch SHARE in Denver 2009 System z Keynote from
Chris O’Malley on the future of mainframe management.
> http://www.ca.com/mainframe

12. 12
Why or why not use a mainframe?
> Why not use a mainframe if a mainframe is the best fit for purpose
platform?
> Be prepared to recommend against System z if it is not the best
solution
§ Avoiding being labeled a mainframe bigot
§ You should be a trusted advisor to the business
§ Don’t confuse artifacts with what gives business value
> A System z specialist with a solid understanding of using the
platform where appropriate to support the needs of the
business will be valued for years to come. Does the ability to
run an SMP/E APPLY add value to your business?
> How can you get the most value from your mainframe and a
career? Prepare and embrace change which faciltates
business results. Oppose change which exposes your
business data or availability to unacceptable risk.

13. 13
Carrier Midway in San Diego, CA

14. 14
A few words about my adviceA few words about my advice
You must take into consideration the expectations of your
supervisor and the culture at your employer.
ManagementSpeak: This is a "best practice."
Translation: This is something I want to do.
Source : http://www.issurvivor.com/kjrArchive.asp
First, your return to shore was not part of our negotiations nor our
agreement, so I must do nothin'. And secondly, you must be a
pirate for the Pirate's Code to apply, and you're not. And thirdly,
the Code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules.
Welcome aboard the Black Pearl, Miss Turner. “Captain
Barbosa” movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the
Black Pearl“

15. 15
MentorMentor
men·tor (mntôr, -tr)
n.
1. A wise and trusted counselor or teacher.
2. Mentor Greek Mythology Odysseus's trusted counselor, in
whose guise Athena became the guardian and teacher of
Telemachus.
v. men·tored, men·tor·ing, men·tors Informal
v.intr.
To serve as a trusted counselor or teacher, especially in
occupational settings.
Source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Mentor
> zNG has a mentoring program

16. 16
Being a Mentor or MenteeBeing a Mentor or Mentee
> Our economy rewards experience and good Judgement
§ “When things are not going well you are probably learning a
lot” Randy Pausch Time Management
§ “Bottom line is, even if you see 'em coming, you're not ready
for the big moments. No one asks for their life to change, not
really. But it does. So what are we, helpless? Puppets? No. The
big moments are gonna come. You can't help that. It's what
you do afterwards that counts. That's when you find out who
you are. You'll see what I mean.” Whistler. Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, Becoming Part 1
> Learning from other peoples past mistakes is considerably
less painful than making your own
> Mentoring may not always be about work i.e. Buy sympathy
cards and keep a folder in your desk
> Always go to the funeral Deirdre Sullivan on npr
this*i*believe

17. 17
Time Management
> Have a calendar in Outlook or some other tool and if you can
manage a PDA or phone that syncronizes with it.
> Maintain a TO DO list sorted in priority order
> Use check lists to insure completeness of changes and tasks and to
help estimate and plan time required. This will become mandatory if
you progress with an ITIL implementation.
> Watch less TV
> Archive and index all your email worry less about deleting and
filing. Desktop.google.com , Microsoft, and my pick X1.COM all
work well!
> Watch Time Management Lecture and try to apply it to your own
day to day practices. Review again in a month to see if you have
made progress?
> Source: Lecture “Time Management” Randy Pausch 2007
http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~robins/Randy/

18. 18
The Big Rock RuleThe Big Rock Rule
> Steven Covey and so many other people told this story I don’t
know who to attribute it to
> Setting priorities makes sure the important tasks get done
and you have room for some amount of other work
> Let me tell you a story or two..

19. 19
Mike HundyMike Hundy’’s Big Rock Rules Big Rock Rule
> Mike was my MVS team leader and
a good mentor
> Mike Hundy’s Big Rock as taught to
me was something different
> Prepositioned changes can wreak
havoc at a later time on people
unprepared and unaware of
impending doom i.e. Sword of
Damocles
> Don’t preposition changes without
documenation, communication, a
useable backup, and then it may
still be a bad idea
> I try to avoid making changes
before I leave on vacation to this
day

20. 20
Customer best practice Write things
down
> A time and date stamped log of activities related to
solving a problem may be very useful later
> Keep track of documentation you collected and sent to
vendors, who you speak with, what instructions you
receive.
> I use Windows directories as this allows me to use long
descriptive names and store text, graphics, or even
z/OS data prepared for transmission to a vendor.
> My Documents – Vendor - Product - Ticket
> Some vendors support sites case management tools will
automatically generate a useful history if you make sure
you make meaningful updates.

21. 21
USAF Memorial Washington DC

22. 22
> A good editor like Ultra-Edit http://www.ultraedit.com/ works
well in combination with V. NOtepad just say NO.
> V is a combination File Viewer, Directory Browser, File
Finder and File UnZipper for Windows
§ Open from DOS “V Filename”, or Explorer. It is Fast!
§ Good support for EBCDIC include CC and virtual greenbar
§ Inexpensive but not free $20 with 5 year/7 year renewal
upgrades included. SHAREWARE allows free evaluation of
full product for 60 days
§ Author Charles Prineas very responsive
§ Ruler and Line numbers
§ Handles large files I mean LARGE!
> http://www.fileviewer.com
File Viewer

23. 23
> Old trick on Windows is PrintScreen (prt sc) key will put
screen on clipboard. You can then paste into Paintbrush
another program.
> GUI interfaces mean that doing visual capture of
documentation is no longer a rare occurance
> If you can install software consider finding a good screen
capture tool you like
§ Snag-It is not free almost $50 but worth it to me
http://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.asp
§ Greenshot is free commercial and personal use and is open
source http://greenshot.sourceforge.net/
§ Many other good choices are available
Screen Capture Tool

24. 24
Bluezone Secure FTP
> BlueZone Secure FTP™ is a mainframe friendly Windows FTP
client supports both z/OS and z/VM Download here
http://www.bluezonesoftware.com/products/secure-ftp
> BlueZone Secure FTP™ supports SSL, TLS and SSH, and delivers
HTTPS tunneling through firewalls and proxy servers for extranet
access. Bluezone Secure FTP is free for Personal, Commercial, or
Government use!
> You may bypass registration if you choose and it does not expire.
> Register to bypass splace screen

25. 25
Computer History Museum during
SHARE in San Jose

26. 26
Community
> SHARE www.share.org , CMG www.cmg.org , NaSPA
Regional User Groups Ontario, NYC, COMMON, IDUG
www.idug.org, shared code at CBTTAPE.ORG
§ A Global ongoing Discussion “To sum it all up, SHARE
is now 365 days a year rather than 4 times a year.”
Melinda Varian in “VM and VM Community: Past,
Present, and Future”
§ Email, RSS, Google Groups, Web accessible forums
like IBM-MAIN, RACF-L, DB2-L.
> There are lessons from our elders?
§ WANT = DO scratch you own itch
§ Rewards of solving Other Peoples Problems!
> Take lessons from our kids?
§ WebEx, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Podcasts
> http://www.trexxers.com THEY LOST IT. WELL GET IT
BACK CA sponsored community island with attitudeJ

27. 27
ISVCOSTSISVCOSTS
> Free email forum dedicated to peer discussion of IBM
mainframe software asset management issues by peer
customers
> Customers vetted by IBM local contact
> No ISVs
> No IBM marketing and sales team members
> http://www.ibm.com/software/solutions/isvcosts/
> Your organization should have a representative who
works with software contracts and competitive
evaluations on ISVCOSTS
> Understand IBM software pricing

28. 28
Computer History Museum the WISC

29. 29
Computer History
Museum
> IBM 305 RAMAC Disk
Drive in restoration
> the world’s first disk
drive system, the IBM
305 RAMAC held 5
megabytes
> Introduced September 4,
1956
> I got to see this because
somone my “tribe” my
community affiliation was
evident

30. 30
Seek Inspiration and Fun
> Freemont Troll located here in Seattle

31. 31
YouTube
> Video on the web… FREE
> IBM used YouTube to reach out to a different audience
> Mainframe: The Art of the Sale, Lessons 1 – 6
> “THE MAINFRAME. It’s like a barn.”
> http://www.youtube.com/user/360comedy
> Computer History Musem
§ The mission of the Computer History Museum is to
preserve and present for posterity the artifacts and stories
of the information age.
§ 15 miles north of San Jose, Free
> http://www.computerhistory.org/
> http://www.youtube.com/computerhistory

32. 32
TED Talks
> TED = Technology, Entertainment, Design
> Started in 1984
> Conference… not free
> Many Audio and Video presentations on the web… FREE
> Uses Flash
> http://www.ted.com/tedtalks/
> Run by a Non-Profit
> Interesting People with thought provoking talks
> An example New York Times technology columnist David Pogue
opens his talk with a rousing musical number about the trials of
customer support, then launches into some sharp commentary
on "The Software Upgrade Paradox" ("Improve a piece of
software enough times, you eventually ruin it"). Next he takes
on the worst interface design offenders, the causes of "Software
Rage."

33. 33
Happiness
> Don’t let potential unhappiness
at work let you leave actual
unhappiness at home with
someone else!
> Recommended the Happiness
Project by Gretchen Rubin and
the Last Lecture by Randy
Pauch
> Say Thank You at work and
home alot!
> Be polite even when you expect
or get a rude response
> Save a little happiness take
pictures with people in them
> Kiss your spouse or significant
other when you leave them
every day!

34. 34
Have Fun in SeattleHave Fun in Seattle
?> Go out to eat and shop
§ Pike Place Market
§ Space Needle
§ Pioneer Square
> Meet other attendees at SHARE
§ Reception Monday Night
> Attend a Project Dinner
§ Many options Tuesday or Wednesday night
> Don’t go sit in your hotel room and work every night

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http://www.mainframezone.com/bobthomas/t-shirts/
Show you mainframe team some love!
MAINFRAME
T-SHIRTS!

36. 36
Acknowledgements Knowing andAcknowledgements Knowing and
UnknowingUnknowing
Paula Knutson
Chris Guiler
Mike Hundy
Sam Golob
Bill Mosteller
Bob Johnson
Bill Horton
Carl Youngren
Bob Shannon
Many more SHARE friends

37. 37
Terms of This Presentation
Reference in this presentation to any specific commercial
products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does
not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by
GEICO.
For all photos copyright the original photographer. Some photo’s
obtained from Wikipedia. Photo of Freemont Troll by Kelly Cline
under GFDL.
The product names used in this presentation are for identification
purposes only. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the
property of their respective owners. Other company, product, and
service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

38. 38
Feel free to call me at
(w) 301.986.3574
(m) 301.996-1318 or email me at
(CBT) sknutson@cbttape.org or
(w) sknutson@geico.com