25.4.3 Documentation

You should already have the following planning publications which are available as part of the OS/390 Installation Planning Kit, GK2T-6710:

OS/390 Planning for Installation, GC28-1726

OS/390 Introduction and Release Guide, GC28-1725

OS/390 Information Roadmap, GC28-1727

The Information Roadmap will then list the other publications you may need.

25.4.3.1 Your Hardcopy Library

Some books you will need to keep as hardcopy versions available, such as:

Planning Books listed frequently in this bulletin.

Other OS/390 books you will need to review frequently, or take home to read.

MVS and JES2 Operator Command books should be kept at the system console, as well as all the Messages books.

25.4.3.2 Your Softcopy Library

There are so many books in the OS/390 library that you will want to get familiar with the softcopy library and the BookManager/Read tools for viewing information. This is extremely useful for searching for and finding the right book.

The OS/390 Online Collection, SK2T-6700 is available on CD-ROM and updated quarterly. (It is also available on tape as a feature of OS/390.)

The CD-ROM can be used on a PC workstation with OS/2 or Windows, and uploaded to DASD and used with BookManager READ/MVS. In general, we recommend the MVS platform for normal softcopy viewing, but you should have a set of OS/390 CD-ROMs available for viewing on a PC workstation in the case of an emergency or system outage.

Printing Softcopy Books

Use the Softcopy Print facility in OS/390 to print softcopy BOOKs from BookManager READ/MVS. With the BookMaster GML option you get the nicest looking printout, and it is the easiest to implement. OS/390 has included enough code from DCF, PSF, BookMaster, and the required AFP fonts.

See OS/390 V2R4.0 Printing Softcopy BOOKs, S544-5354 for more information.

Redbooks

You should have the S/390 Redbooks Collection, SK2T-2177 which has over 300 technical bulletins in BookManager format related to S/390. They are written by the ITSO and Advanced Technical Support Systems Centers.

412VSE to OS/390 Migration Workbook

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IBM OS/390 manual Documentation, Your Hardcopy Library, Your Softcopy Library, Printing Softcopy Books, Redbooks

OS/390 specifications

IBM OS/390, a versatile operating system, was a cornerstone in enterprise environments and played a pivotal role in mainframe computing. Released in the mid-1990s, OS/390 combined the strengths of IBM's MVS (Multiple Virtual Storage) with new features and enhancements, targeting scalability, reliability, and performance in demanding business applications.

One of the key features of OS/390 was its robust support for multiple users and processes. The system allowed thousands of concurrent users to access applications and data, ensuring high availability and minimizing downtime—a critical requirement for many large organizations. This scalability was supported through various enhancements in memory management and processor scheduling, enabling optimal resource allocation across diverse workloads.

OS/390 was known for its superior workload management capabilities. The Workload Manager (WLM) component allowed administrators to define service policies, specifying how system resources would be allocated according to the priority of tasks. This ensured that critical business processes received the necessary resources while less critical tasks were managed more flexibly.

Another significant characteristic of OS/390 was its commitment to security. The operating system provided comprehensive security features, including user authentication, data encryption, and auditing capabilities. This focus on security was vital for organizations handling sensitive data, ensuring compliance with regulations and safeguarding against unauthorized access.

OS/390 also supported advanced technologies that facilitated integration and development. The system included features like the IBM CICS (Customer Information Control System) for transaction processing and IMS (Information Management System) for database management. These technologies allowed organizations to build robust, high-performance applications tailored to specific business needs.

The ease of network integration was another strength of OS/390. With the advent of the Internet and global connectivity, OS/390 systems could easily interface with various network protocols, enabling businesses to operate in a connected world. This inclusion paved the way for many organizations to expand their capabilities and offer new services, driving digital transformation.

In conclusion, IBM OS/390 represented a significant advancement in mainframe technology, combining scalability, security, and robust workload management. Its rich feature set and support for critical enterprise applications solidified its role as a vital component of many organizations' IT infrastructures, ensuring they could meet their operational challenges head-on while supporting future growth. As technology continues to evolve, the legacy of OS/390 remains influential in the realm of computing.