30.9.2 Tasks

Accounting management activities include the following:

Measurement - collection of actual usage and service-level data.

Cost allocation - creation of billing and charge-back transactions, including interfaces to other administrative applications or processes.

Allocating and tracking project and other support costs.

Creating and managing billing systems.

30.9.3 Methodology

The majority of OS/390 resource accounting information is produced in SMF records, either by OS/390 itself or other products (IBM and non-IBM) that will write data to SMF. Products such as TME 10 Performance Reporter or third party products can read SMF data and produce reports useful for billing resource usage.

30.10 Summary

OS/390 is best managed using a structured approach to Systems Management. This chapter highlighted some (not all) of the processes important to ensuring well managed environment. There are various process methodologies that will help identify all the tasks, and products available to support those processes. As your environment grows, automation will be required to reduce the increasingly complex management effort. Using a task approach, as opposed to a technology approach, helps centralize the process activities to minimize duplication and miscommunication, and form the base for this structured approach.

There are many IBM publications that can provide systems management process and product information, and implementation examples. The IBM Networking and Systems Management Redbooks Collection, SK2T-6022 is a softcopy collection of hundreds of publications that will provide useful information and guidance on managing the OS/390 environment.

472VSE to OS/390 Migration Workbook

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IBM OS/390 manual Summary

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.