IBM’s flagship enterprise relational database Db2 has just been added to AWS Relational Database Service (RDS). Db2 joins commercial vendor relational database implementations Oracle and MS SQL Server along with open source databases MySQL, MariaDB, and PostreSQL as a fully-managed AWS offering.

Why this matters:

• Deployment I’m currently working with a large commercial vehicle manufacturer. Over two weeks ago I requested that a small Db2 database be deployed for query optimization. The clock is still ticking and the database still isn’t available. With RDS Db2 can be deployed and configured in minutes.
• Horizontal scaling Many of The Fillmore Group’s clients across several different industries have significant variability of demand – days of the week, times of the month, and seasonal variations. For large retailers purchasing ramps up in the summer, staffing in the early fall, sales in late fall and early winter, and returns in January. Managing on-prem capacity in such an environment usually means expensive compute and memory is underutilized for several months in the spring and summer. RDS provides on-demand scale up and scale down.
• Vertical scaling A large industrial client provisioned Db2 to store sensor data that will be analyzed for anomalies. Within six months one such database was at 85 Tb and continues to grow. Capacity growth is both predictable and linear, but even metronomically adding compute, memory, and storage is both budget and labor intensive.

Two more things to consider:

1. IBM invented the relational database. A Relational Model of Data for Large Shared Data Banks was published by Edgar F. Codd, IBM Research, in 1970 in the Communications of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM). Trillions of dollars of value has been realized by organizations which have deployed IBM Db2 or other relational database variants since they became available in the 1980s.
2. Many enterprises have successfully migrated workloads from other-vendor relational database implementations. Here’s just one example: SmarterQuestions White Paper – Oracle to DB2 Migration Lessons Learned – Final

I want to thank everyone who helped make the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Db2 for z/OS Users Group virtual meeting such a great success:

• my colleague, Kim May, for pulling the meeting together and for filling a void of timely technical content for this topic and this region
• our presenters for crafting and delivering a comprehensive new way of considering IBM System z
  • Andrew Austin, Red Hat
  • Clark Hale, Red Hat
  • Elton (the Wizard) de Sousa, IBM

The recording of the meeting is here: https://youtu.be/Am279HW1DDY

Individual presentations are as follows:

Db2 VUG – OpenShift Introduction – Austin + Hale

Db2 VUG – OpenShift on IBM z – de Sousa

Db2 VUG – Mainframe Modernization Field Notes – Fillmore

Please share this content with your colleagues.

Join the Mid-Atlantic Db2 LUW user group members – and more! – for a virtual meeting coordinated by IBM Hybrid Data Manager Technical Sales Specialist and user group supporter extraordinaire Kay Groski this coming Wednesday, June 10th.  “And more!” means, of course, that anyone from any users group (or not) is welcome to join.  Please do!

Kay has scheduled Db2 Offering Manager Karthik Gopalakrishnan to introduce Db2 v11.5.4 aka “Nebula”. Karthik’s team is also working to deliver a series of webinars detailing the new features included in Nebula. The schedule for these sessions and details are below.

For next week’s Virtual RUG:

Topic: Db2 Virtual RUG Meeting June 2020
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Time: 2:00pm – 3:15pm, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)
Meeting address: ibm.biz/June2020RUG
Program registration password: Db2RUG

The follow-on sessions will provide additional detail on specific new features.  Sessions currently scheduled are below.  For speakers, agenda and registration details go to:  http://ibm.biz/db2webinar[ibm.biz]

Overview of Db2 Editions
Overview of Db2 Editions and Entitlement migration paths from older editions to new.
June 9, 2020

Strategy and Roadmaps
Overview of Db2’s strategic direction and future Roadmap.
June 11, 2020

Container Strategy
Overview of Db2’s Containerization Strategy for Docker and Red Hat Open Shift.
June 16, 2020

Developer Features
Overview of Db2 REST Service, Python UDF and Drivers.
June 18, 2020

Unpacking 11.5.4
Deep Dive into Db2 Nebula release. We will go through exciting new features.
June 23, 2020

Graph Database
Deep Dive into Db2 Graph Capabilities.
June 25, 2020

Machine Learning
Deep Dive into Db2’s Machine Learning capabilities.
June 30, 2020

Enterprise Features
Deep Dive into Db2’s new Enterprise readiness capabilities.
June 30, 2020

Over 180 folks attended the “45 Minutes to Understand IBM Replication – Sources & Targets, Lower Latency, Costs” webinar on April 30, 2020 hosted by my colleague @KimMayTFG and me.  Thank you for joining us – along with the excellent questions and feedback.

These are the presentation materials IBM Data Replication Update 2020-04-30

You’ll find the recording of the webinar here.

Please join us for a webinar Thursday, April 30th, on IBM replication:

45 Minutes to Understand IBM Replication – Sources & Targets, Lower Latency, Costs  

The webinar is intended for technical teams currently not using IBM replication solutions, although the webinar content will provide an excellent overview of IBM’s current offerings – an excellent refresher and update for IBM replication customers.  Hey, it’s a webinar – anyone can attend!!

Abstract:  Technical organizations rely on replication to deliver accurate data when its needed. IBM replication supports an extensive list of sources and targets – including legacy mainframe data repositories – as well as best of breed deployment models and specialty replication solutions.

If your organization is considering a new replication deployment or looking to replace your existing replication to extend functionality – or reduce cost – please join IBM Gold Consultant Frank C. Fillmore, Jr., for a webinar overview of IBM’s replication offerings.

The webinar will cover:

1. The sources and targets supported by IBM replication.
2. Each solution available today, and their costs.
3. Latency, deployment and administrative considerations.

Date:          Thursday, 4/30/2020

Time:          11:00am – 12:00pm EDT

Register HERE 

Presenter:  Frank Fillmore

Frank C. Fillmore, Jr. is the Founder and President of The Fillmore Group, Inc., an IBM Business Partner specializing in replication solutions in the IBM Data and Analytics portfolio. Frank has been a Db2 Gold Consultant since 1998 and is currently an IBM Champion for both Analytics and System z. Frank frequently presents on cutting-edge topics at regional and international user group meetings and is an IBM authorized instructor for delivery of replication courses including Q Replication, ICDC and pureScale.  Frank leads a team of expert consultants delivering presales, implementation and enablement support to IBM replication customers.

Want to learn more about the Gold Consultants?  Visit the IBM Gold webpage HERE.

The Time is NOW!
Upgrade to Db2 12 for z/OS!

Date:           Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Time:          11:00am EDT
Register:     HERE

You are invited to join a live webcast hosted by IBM Gold Consultants to learn why this is the right time to upgrade to Db2 12.

Gold Consultants are an independent voice, delivering Db2 consulting and support to  customers worldwide. Learn more about the Golds and how they can help your organization by visiting the IBM Gold Consultant webpage.

During this webcast expert Golds will discuss:

• The benefits of upgrading to Db2 12
• Continuous availability and potential cost savings
• In-memory Features
• Pre-planning tasks and their importance
• Costs and risks associated with failing to migrate by September 30, 2020

The session will close with a live Q&A session with several of the Golds who contributed recommendations and content to the presentation.

The session was developed and will be delivered by the following IBM Gold Consultants.  Bio’s for each presenter are below.

Julian Stuhler
Triton Consulting

Julian has over 30 years of Db2 experience in application programming, database administration, technical architecture, performance tuning and systems programming, working within the insurance, telecommunications, banking, financial services and manufacturing sectors. He is an IBM Redbook and White Paper author and IDUG Best Speaker, and has lectured widely on DB2 subjects in the UK, Europe and US. In 1999 Julian was invited to join the IBM Gold Consultants program, and in May 2008, Julian was recognized as one of IBM’s inaugural Data Champions. Julian served on the IDUG Board of directors from 2003 to 2010, and is an IDUG Past President.

Frank Fillmore, Jr.
The Fillmore Group, Inc.

Frank is the Founder and President of The Fillmore Group, Inc., a Premier IBM Business Partner.  Frank is an IBM Gold Consultant and IBM Champion for both Analytics and System z.  The Fillmore Group’s areas of expertise include data interoperability, replication and high availability, InfoSphere, Db2 Server for VSE&VM, competitive migrations and technical Project Management. Frank oversees a staff of talented employees and contractors, and manages projects ranging from new database implementations to health checks.  In addition to consulting Frank and his team deliver IBM Authorized Training and are IBM software resellers.

Isaac Yassin
DBX-Consulting

Isaac is an IBM Gold Consultant and Champion with over 40 years of experience consulting on IT and security at cross-industry customers covering areas of global system tuning including Sysplex and Parallel Sysplex, Security (RACF, Top-Secret, Guardium) and large-scale projects involving Data Warehouse / Big Data and Machine Learning as well as data analysis in heterogeneous environments.

Isaac has vast knowledge in DB2 (both Z & LUW), IMS and other major DBMSs and has installed and migrated every release of Db2 starting with V1.2 and up to V12, including “skip & jump” migrations and worked on a variety of migrations to and from other vendor databases.  Isaac’s Db2 technical work includes wide-scale problem analysis, performance, troubleshooting, education/training, security problems and audits and BCP/DRP scenarios.  Isaac is an active IDUG contributor and frequent presenter.

Gerald Hodge
HLS Technologies

Gerry began working with Db2 V2 in 1985 while a First Vice President at Security Pacific National Bank. While there he headed the Capacity Planning and Performance Planning for 11 of the bank’s data centers. In 1990 he moved to BMC Software’s International Sales as their SME for their Db2 products, and was the primary on sight support for sales and Db2 Products in both Europe and Asia.

In 1995 Mr. Hodge started HLS Technologies, Inc. His company developed the following DB2 products: Avoid Bind, DBRM Check, Path Check, and Express Hints. He was invited to join IBM’s Gold Consultants the year the program was formed. He has been an active member every year since.  HLS Technologies has provided detailed planning and support for Db2 migrations since V5 and is currently supporting a large V12 migration project.

Dan Luksetich
DanL Database Consulting

Dan is a Db2 DBA consultant, an IBM Gold Consultant and IBM Analytics Champion. He works as a DBA, application architect, presenter, author, and teacher. Dan has been in IT for over 34 years, and has worked with Db2 for over 29 years. He has been an application programmer, Db2 system programmer, Db2 DBA, and DB2 application architect. His experience includes major implementations on z/OS, AIX, i Series, Windows, and Linux environments. His industry experience includes retail, banking, fraud detection, analytics, government, and utility. He specializes in highly available, high-volume transaction processing against very large database systems.

Dan’s experience includes, but is not limited to:

· Application design and architecture
· Business analytics
· SQL consulting and education
· SQL coding and application programming
· Database administration
· Complex SQL
· SQL tuning
· DB2 performance audits
· Replication
· Disaster recovery
· Stored procedures, user-defined functions, and triggers

IBM is hosting the September meeting of the Baltimore/Washington Db2 Users Group to be held at the BWI Hilton on Wednesday, September 11th.  IBM’s Kenishia Sapp and Anthony Ciabattoni will be presenting on Db2 for z/OS topics (see agenda below) and *drum roll!* IBM Replication Product Offering Manager Davendra Paltoo will be presenting on IBM’s recent replication enhancements and new offerings.

With the recent Gartner report validating IBM’s market position in their “magic quadrant” with IBM’s offerings supporting a broad range of replication sources and targets (including Postgres and Kafka), and the increased focus on making data accurate and available for analytics, it’s important to understand what IBM is delivering to customers today.

If you are in the Baltimore/Washington area I hope you will join us for the meeting and the opportunity to talk replication with Davendra.

The full agenda is below.  Registration is required – please register on the Baltimore/Washington Db2 Users Group website HERE.

Date:  Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Time:  9:00am – 3:30pm (registration open at 8:30am)

Location:  BWI Hilton, 1739 W Nursery Road, Linthicum Heights, MD  21090

Agenda:

9:00am – 10:15am   APIs: A Pathway to the Modern Enterprise, Kenishia Sapp, IBM NA z API Swat Team

As Enterprises begin their modernization journeys, REST and the API economy are integral elements of their roadmaps. There are many ways to achieve the goal of REST API enablement for the mainframe, and it can be hard to distinguish the benefits and unique value points among them. Kenishia Callaway will illustrate how solutions such as z/OS Connect, API Connect and others can be used to modernize while retaining the well-developed systems that differentiate company value.

10:30am – 11:45am  Db2 for z/OS Native RESTful Experience, Anthony Ciabattoni, IBM Db2 zOS Development SWAT Team

IBM Db2 for z/OS is still the undisputed leader for storing and maintaining mission critical data. It remains the “gold standard” for system availability, scalability, security and cost effectiveness. A majority of Fortune 500 companies, including the world’s top banks, retailers and insurance providers trust Db2 for z/OS for storing their data. In addition, Db2 for z/OS continues to invest in industry leading easy to access, efficient and cost effective data access capabilities while maintain our mainframe heritage.This session will show how Db2 REST services allow modern applications to access and consume Db2 data and to reuse existing SQL statements and stored procedures. We will present how they are easily deployed, managed and also promote the rapid/agile development and deployment of new applications that are mobile friendly.

12:45pm – 2:00pm  Db2 12 experiences from the field, recipe for successful migrations, FTB’s & Insert Algorithm 2, Anthony Ciabattoni

Migrating to Db2 12 and exploiting and taking advantage of new features and functions needs to be planned, prepared and executed to maintain availability and achieve organizational success. This session will go through the recipe of a successful Db2 migration, what can be completed prior to the migration window and what steps actual customers have made to achieve a successful migration. In addition, Fast Traversal Blocks and Insert Algorithm 2 are two of the most popular new features in Db2 12. During the session these two features will be described in detail along with the appropriate use cases for both technologies. Lastly, real life customer behavior, experiences and implementation successes will be discussed. If you are an organization that is in the process of migrating to Db2 12 or are planning for a Db2 12 migration before Db2 11 End of Service this is a must attend session.

2:15pm – 3:30pm Delivering a Real-time Experience for Dynamic Digital Businesses, Davendra Paltoo, Replication Offering Manager

Learn how organizations use IBM Data Replication to deliver near real time data across the enterprise from Db2 and most other major databases. IBM Data Replication key capabilities and plans will also be covered.

Several people who registered for The Fillmore Group’s Columbus IDAA class in July were unable to attend, so we’ve decided to borrow the “Db2 Night Show” format, with Frank hosting the “IDAA Afternoon Show” Wednesday, August 28^th from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. EDT.

Frank will deliver a fast-paced, content-rich 90-minute webinar covering:

1. A review of capabilities included in recent IDAA v7.1.x code drops
2. The return of the High Performance Storage Saver (HPSS)
3. Integrated Synchronization
4. The closer-to-real Hybrid Transaction Analytic Processing (HTAP) capability
5. Disaster Recovery and High Availability considerations

And as an added bonus we will step all registered attendees through The Fillmore Group’s exclusive IDAA form-factor Buying Guide to compare:

• IBM Integrated Analytics Systems (IIAS)
• Docker container running on System z
• Docker container running on LinuxONE

We’ll do this via webinar, so come-one-come-all.  We’ll upload the materials we used in the Columbus class so anyone who did not register for class but attends the webinar can access them.

I hope you will join us if your schedule allows, and invite any colleagues who may be interested in the material.

Registration is required.  Please register HERE.

Thank you to the IBM Technical Team, Kay Groski and Warren Heising, for coordinating this terrific agenda and group of excellent speakers for the Mid-Atlantic Spring Db2 LUW Users Group Meeting!

The is no cost to attend (again thanks Kay and Warren).

Registration is required.  Register here.

Date:                            Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Time:                            9:00am – 2:30pm
Location:                      IBM Bethesda, Room 02-2A304, 6710 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD  20817

Agenda:
09:00-10:30    SESSION 1:  Futures (vNext coming soon!) presented by Jon Lind
10:30-10:45     BREAK
10:45-12:00     SESSION 2: IBM Streams presented by Roger Rea
12:00-12:45     Networking Lunch
12:45-2:00       SESSION 3:  Demystifying the Db2 Logger presented by Dale McInnis
2:00-2:15         BREAK
2:15-2:30         IDUG Overview