Day 3 at IDUG EMEA – DB2 pureScale

Posted on November 17, 2011 by laura

By Iqbal Goralwalla

Today was a DB2 pureScale day for me and yes, I did manage to pass a certification exam as well! The pressure is off! :-)

The day started with an excellent presentation by Steve Rees (IBM) on performance monitoring in DB2 pureScale. It always amazes me how Steve can deliver so much information in such a palatable manner and in just 60 minutes!

This was followed by two equally excellent presentations on customer experiences with pureScale. The first was Long distance call using pureScale – Early experiences by Frank Petersen (Bankdata) and the second was DB2 pureScale on Linux – Anixter Case Study by Bernie O’Connor (Anixter Inc.)

Frank’s presentation covered  DB2 pureScale geographically dispersed clusters – a recently introduced feature in pureScale which allows for disaster recovery. DB2 pureScale clusters can now be “stretched” so that they can be used in an installation where 2 sites are placed kilometres apart. Frank discussed Bankdata’s Proof of Concept implementation of DB2 pureScale. He went through the hardware and software setup and the test plan to verify the solution. Bernie’s presentation reviewed Anixter’s implementation of applications on DB2 pureScale using Linux and IBM System x hardware. He discussed business drivers which included, High Availability, Scalability and Recovery amongst others. The key business driver in both presentations was high availability. Being z/OS customers for many years as well, the more salient business driver in adopting pureScale for both Bankdata and Anixter was the confidence that came with the knowledge that pureScale was based on the industry proven technology of data sharing on z/OS. Both Frank and Bernie were very pleased with their pureScale testing and are looking to implement pureScale in production in the very near future.

The day ended with a fabulous dinner hosted by IBM where one of my fellow DB2 Geeks, Julian Stuhler, was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the EMEA DB2 community.  The socialising continued into the early hours of the morning. It’s now 2:30 am and my intentions for doing another certification test have almost faded away. Oh well, some things are more important than others …

Julian Stuhler is recognised for his contribution to the DB2 EMEA community

Julian Stuhler is recognised for his contribution to the DB2 EMEA community

Julian Stuhler is recognised for his contribution to the DB2 EMEA Community

Julian Stuhler is recognised for his contribution to the DB2 EMEA Community


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Day 2 IDUG EMEA – DB2 10 Migrations & Certifications

Posted on November 16, 2011 by laura

By Julian Stuhler

Day two of the main IDUG programme and I’m really enjoying the novelty of being a real attendee for a change – this is the first European IDUG I’ve been to in 13 years where I haven’t had any official IDUG duties!

My conference kicked off a day early on Sunday, helping Mike Bracey of IBM UK to present a  DB2 10 for z/OS migration planning workshop for around 30 people. We had to pack an enormous amount of material into a single day, but we had some great feedback and hopefully helped a few more customers in their DB2 10 journey.

There has been an amazing amount of discussion about DB2 10 here, with plenty of IBM presentations, user experiences and those irreplaceable “corridor conversations” that are one of the most valuable parts of being at an IDUG conference. Almost everyone I speak to is actively planning their DB2 10 for z/OS upgrade, and I learned in a presentation this morning that around 25% of the upgrades conducted so far have been customers using the skip-release feature and going directly from DB2 V8 to DB2 10. A few of the migration presentations I attended have got me thinking about how much vital migration preparation can be done way in advance of actually ordering the DB2 10 code, and I’ll be putting together an article or blog on that soon.

In the meantime the certification guys have been kept busy with lots of people taking the DB2 10 certification exams, and the mainframe Triton DB2 Geeks have all added both DBA and Systems Administration certifications to our totals. Now if only the midrange Geek could find the time to do likewise….

Still lots more good stuff to look forward to, including the IBM customer event this evening and the DB2 Experts Panel to finish the main part of the conference on Thursday. Even then our work is not done, as we’re attending a Customer Advisory Council meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss the requirements and possible features in the next major release of DB2 for z/OS. Seems that whether you’re a DB2 developer or a DB2 Geek, your work is never done….

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Day 2 at IDUG EMEA – All about DB2 9.7

Posted on November 16, 2011 by laura

From Iqbal Goralwalla

Day 2 started in full swing early in the morning. The day was packed with excellent presentations. 2 notable ones from the ones I attended were SQL on Fire (III) by Serge Rielau (IBM) and New Features in DB2 Fixpaks by Melanie Stopfer (IBM).

As usual, Serge discussed many neat tips in his presentation. He talked about customising sessions using a stored procedure that could be passed in to the CONNECT_PROC (Connect procedure name) database configuration parameter that was introduced in DB2 9.7 FP4; the LISTAGG function (DB2 9.7, FP5) which aggregates a set of string values for the group into one string; splitting strings using the UNNEST table function; when to use arrays vs. temporary tables; inlined vs compiled SQL PL.

Melanie went through all the excellent features in DB2 9.7 Fixpaks 1-5.

I attended the IBM Champions lunch where it was great to meet fellow Champions, and IBMers.

Lastly, word is out that 2 of the DB2 Geeks have passed their DB2 z/OS certifications. The pressure is on for the LUW DB2 Geek! There may not be a blog tomorrow … :-)

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First day at IDUG – Presentations, Prize Winners & Puddings!

Posted on November 15, 2011 by laura

From Iqbal Goralwalla

It’s great to be back at IDUG this year, it started with all the buzz and vibrancy I experiencend last year in Vienna and it’s great to see the familiar faces again.

The day began with a great joint keynote by Curt Cortner and Namik Hrle of IBM. They discussed interesting topics on NoSQL (NotOnlySQL according to Curt!), temporal stuff, cloud computing, and multiple tenancy.  They shared IBM’s view on converting traditional systems landscape into one system using a column oriented data store model. 

As usual, Matt Huras did an excellent job with his DB2 presentations on pureScale. He went through the new enhancements in Fixpak 4 including DR with pureScale and in another presentation went through a pureScale primer for DBAs which was very useful.

The evening saw a reception to mark the launch of the exhibition – it was great to mingle with the crowd and meet new people. 

The DB2 Geek quiz went very well culminating in the Triton drinks reception in the evening. The winner of the first IPAD draw was Lutz Becker of Gothaer Systems. And Sebastian Zok of ITGAIN Consulting who braved the bitter cold to complete the second stage of quiz completing all questions correctly and earn himself a well-deserved IPAD – well done Sebastian!  

Phil Carrington of Holiday Extras tried his best to complete a tray of rice-puddings, but had to give up after an impressive 5 helpings! Great reception.

Don’t forget, although the top prize has been won there are still some great DB2 Geek prizes on offer – so Seek the Geek!

 Here are a few pics! 

DB2 Geek Prize Draw Winner - Lutz Becker of Gothaer Systems

Sebastian Zok of ITGAIN Consulting

Sebastian Zok of ITGAIN Consulting

Triton Drinks reception

Triton Drinks reception

The pudding challenge!

The pudding challenge!

Looking forward to tomorrow …

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A wintry morning in Prague….

Posted on November 14, 2011 by laura

….and two DB2 Geeks are taking part in the DB2 Seek the Geek Quiz!

IDUG EMEA - DB2 Seek the Geek Quiz

IDUG EMEA - DB2 Seek the Geek Quiz

James and Iqbal of Triton Consulting give the DB2 Seek the Geek quiz a run-through.  If you’re there, make sure you enter.  The first step is to find the answer to the quiz question in your registration pack, seek out Julian, James or Iqbal and tell them your answer.  If you’re correct you’ll win a DB2 Geek t-shirt and be able to progress to the next stage of the quiz!

More info here – http://www.triton.co.uk/idug-emea-2011

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Looking forward to IDUG EMEA

Posted on November 11, 2011 by laura

It’s the final countdown to IDUG EMEA!  We’re really looking forward to the event this year, there’s so much going on.  We’re sending three of our top DB2 Geeks.  Julian Stuhler will be heading out to Prague early as he is co-presenting at the IBM Migration Planning Workshop on Sunday.  He’ll then be followed by Iqbal Goralwalla, our head of DB2 Midrange Services and James Gill, Principal Consultant and resident DB2 z/OS expert.

We’re hosting a drinks reception on Monday evening at the Benada Restaurant in the conference venue from 7pm onwards and hope to see lots of you there!  Please do come along and have a chat with the Triton team.

During the week we’re also running a DB2 Geek quiz and encourage you all to take part.  It should be great fun and involves an interactive treasure hunt around the local vicinity and there are some great DB2 Geek prizes up for grabs and the top DB2 Geek will win an iPad!  Look out for the first question in your conference registration pack.

Some of our highlight sessions during the week are:

  • DB2 10 for z/OS Planning & Very Early Migration Experiences – Tuesday 15th Nov
  • DB2 10 – Performance & Scalability – Thursday 17th Nov
  • DB2 pureScale Performance – The significant bits about Configuration, Monitoring and Tuning – Wednesday 16th Nov
  • Latest from the Labs on DB2 pureScale – Monday 14th Nov

View the full agenda – http://www.idug.org/p/cm/ld/fid=94

Don’t forget to visit our partners, DBI Software in the exhibition hall.

Find out more – http://www.triton.co.uk/idug-emea-2011

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Posted in DB2, DB2 10, DB2 Geek, DB2 LUW, IDUG EMEA 2011, Iqbal Goralwalla, James Gill, Julian Stuhler, db2 pureScale, pureScale | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

DB2 10- Justifying the Upgrade

Posted on November 11, 2011 by laura

In his recent webcast, Julian Stuhler looked at the financial justification of migrating to DB2 10 for z/OS.  Click here to view it on demand or see the slides below.

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Posted in CIO, DB2, DB2 10, Julian Stuhler, System Z, z/OS | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Migration Month – DB2 10 Overview, Get Ready to Plan your Migration!

Posted on November 8, 2011 by laura

Last week Triton Consulting & IBM hosted a webcast on DB2 10 Migration Planning.  Click here to watch the replay or view the presentation below:

Don’t forget to register for the next episode – DB2 10, Justifying the Upgrade on 10th November.

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Time Travelling with DB2 z/OS – A presentation from UK GSE

Posted on November 7, 2011 by laura

At the recent UK GSE Conference Julian Stuhler presented on the new Temporal Data features available within DB2 10.  His presentation is available for download below.

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Are you a DB2 Geek?

Posted on October 28, 2011 by laura

If you’re attending IDUG EMEA in Prague next month then we invite you to seek the geek and find out!

As you walk around the conference centre and attend the sessions you’ll see some of our Geeks. They will be easy to spot in their DB2 Geek T-shirts.

All you have to do to find out if you really are a DB2 Geek is play our DB2 Geek Quiz.  In your registration pack you’ll find our Seek the Geek leaflet.  You need to work out the answer to the question inside, seek out one of our geeks and let them know your answer and you’ll be on your way to winning!

Get a head start!
The second part of the quiz is interactive so you’ll need to have your Smart Phone at the ready.  You’ll use your Smart Phone to seek out the clues and answer the questions.  To get a head start, download the ap! – Find out more details and download the ap here.

The first person to successfully complete all the quiz questions will win an iPad!  Everyone else who successfully completes the questions will win DB2 Geek prizes!

 

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