Appendix A. Education Information

The task of providing the right training, to the right people, at the right time, at the right location is a small project of its own. There are many variables to consider, including costs, not the smallest of which is simply determining if a particular course is available. A good training plan will be the right balance of these elements based on the needs of the installation.

The one thing that holds true for all migrating installations is that each installation has unique training needs. In addition to unique products and programs, the training and experience of operations, application development and systems programming personnel are different. The training plan will be different for a new hire than for a seasoned veteran or journeyman skill.

The major elements to be considered in planning for the education needed for your installation during a migration are:

What training is needed and what courses are available

When are courses scheduled and when are they needed during the migration

Who will provide the training

Where the training will take place

A.1 What Training is Needed and What Training Courses are Available

A.1.1 OS/390 Classes

Here are some of the key OS/390 classes from the IBM E&T Web page (http://www.training.ibm.com/ibmedu/roadmaps/mainframe/os390/):

Introduction

Introduction to OS/390

OS/390 Facilities

Fundamental System Skills in OS/390

Operations

System Operations for OS/390

CMOS Complex Systems Availability and Recovery S/390 Hardware Management Console (HMC) Operations

S/390 Multiprise 2000 External Support Element (SE) Operations

Installation

OS/390 Installation

Using ServerPac to Install OS/390

Other

MVS Job Control Language and Utilities

MVS VSAM and Access Method Services Transition from MVS/ESA to OS/390 Automation Using System Automation for OS/390

Measurement and Tuning for MVS/ESA Version 5 and OS/390

© Copyright IBM Corp. 1998

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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.