Final Agenda
This is the final agenda for the 1996 VM Workshop as compiled and arranged by Martha McConaghy, Sara Kimber, and John Sroka during the weekend prior to the Workshop. Sessions are first listed by speaker, then by when they occurred. Abstracts for each session are available by selecting a session title.
U02 - Pipe Dreams: What's new in CMS/TSO Pipelines
Time: Wednesday, 9:45 am
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Melinda Varian, Princeton University
Abstract:
This session will describe the enhancements to "Pipes" for CMS 11 and 12
and beyond.
U03 - VMLINK - A Tutorial
Time: Wednesday, 9:45 am
Place: 228 Student Center
SPEAKER: Byron Graham, Kimball International, Inc.
Abstract:
The speaker will give an in-depth look at VMLINK, a relatively new CMS
command that is perhaps getting overlooked. VMLINK is extremely flexible
and contains many powerful features. On occasion it can replace hundreds of
lines of REXX code with a single command. Come and find out more about the
VMLINK menu facility, nicknames hierarchy, and see several examples of this
new programming interface.
I04 - VM TCP/IP Issues
Time: Wednesday, 11:00 am
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Maryrita Steinhour, IBM VM/ESA Development
Abstract:
TCP/IP for VM - is it alive or dead? Are there enthusiastic developers?
Are there developers at all? What are they doing?
During this session, these questions and others will be answered. Bring
your comments and concerns - the presenter expects to spend at LEAST half
the time listening to YOU !!!
Hint: If VM TCP/IP were dead, we wouldn't be having this session......
U05 - Webshare and HTML Coding
Time: Wednesday, 11:00 am
Place: 228 Student Center
SPEAKER: Sara Kimber, Chevron
Abstract:
The adventures of a new Web Master! This session will cover basic to
intermediate HTML coding on VM and a brief description of Rick Troth's Web
Server.
V06 - VM:Webserver -- Bringing the World Wide Web to VM
Time: Wednesday, 2:45 pm
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Steve Linhart, Sterling Software
Abstract:
Having an intranet connection on every desktop is an idea whose time has
come. Using a graphical browser, your employees simply point-and-click
their way to the vital company information that they need. VM and the new
VM:Webserver product from Sterling Software combine to provide you the
ideal solution for establishing your World Wide Web site. This session
provides you with details of Sterling Software's new VM:Webserver product.
You will see how you leverage VM:Webserver to build your site and then
interface to your existing applications, like OfficeVision/VM.
U07 - Writing a Piped TN3270 Client
Time: Wednesday, 2:45 pm
Place: 228 Student Center
SPEAKER: Rob van der Heij, Philips C&P
Abstract:
Access to IBM mainframes via TCP/IP is frequently done using the TN3270
protocol (a variation on the Telnet protocol). The client (a workstation)
connects to the server (a host) and establishes a TCP/IP connection that
allows for transparent transmission of 3270 orders.
I will tell about the development of a CMS based TN3270 client, a program running under CMS (using the CMS console) that uses CMS/TSO Pipelines TCP/IP support stages to connect to a remote host using the TN3270 protocol. This function is similar to what the TELNET command (delivered with TCP/IP VM) does, but I had a few good reasons to write my own.
U08 - Plumbing the Internet
Time: Wednesday, 1:30 pm
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Melinda Varian, Princeton University
Abstract:
CMS 12 includes Pipelines support for writing TCP-based clients and
servers. This session will describe those enhancements and go through
examples of building both clients and servers.
U09 - SPXTAPE meets the World's Largest VM Spool
Time: Thursday, 1:30 pm
Place: 228 Student Center
SPEAKER: Roger Deschner, University of Illinois at Chicago
Abstract:
I will describe UIC's experiences implementing the new SPXTAPE facility for
backing up our very large VM spool. We typically run with about 175,000
spool files. This has placed strains on SPXTAPE which were not envisioned
by its developers. However, with a few APARs, and a few circumventions, it
is now running well.
I will also describe the system we built around SPXTAPE as an interface between SPXTAPE and Sterling VM:Tape, and to catalog the files which were backed up in order to facilitate restores. This system, called SPBACKUP, will be placed on the Workshop Tape.
Is our spool the largest? We'd love to talk to someone with a comparable sized or larger one, to share war stories.
I10 - VM/ESA Enhancements for the Year 2000
Time: Wednesday, 4:00 pm
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: John Roman, IBM VM/ESA Development
Abstract:
Have you started thinking about how you'll need to change your VM/ESA
applications so they will continue to support your business in the year
2000 and beyond? Effects of the 2-digit year problem are already being
felt throughout the business world and will continue to appear as the year
2000 approaches. What is going to happen to your 2-digit year computations
when the calendar changes from year '99' to year '00'? Don't wait until
1999; the time to start is now!
This presentation will describe changes being made to the VM/ESA operating system to correctly handle dates in the Year 2000 and beyond. Use of VM/ESA to help migrate and test your systems and applications will also be discussed.
U11 - Plumbers' Hall
Time: Wednesday, 4:00 pm
Place: 228 Student Center
Chair: Melinda Varian, Princeton University
Abstract:
If you are "in to" Pipes, this is the place for you. Bring your plumbing
questions and neat tips to the Plumbers' Hall and share them with your
fellow enthusiasts. Novice and master plumbers are all welcome. So grab
your plungers and join in the fun!
I15 - VM/ESA Trends and Directions
Time: Thursday, 8:30 am
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Maryrita Steinhour, IBM VM/ESA Development
Abstract:
The VM product has evolved over the past 30 years into a world-class
operating system, helping customers achieve business advantages in the use
of their S/390 and multi-system IT investments. This presentation covers
the recent deliverables and announcements for the VM/ESA system with a view
of VM/ESA's future direction.
Also discussed are additional activities that the VM/ESA development team are engaging in to ensure complete customer satisfaction.
V16 - Managing VM Storage from the Desktop with VM:Vantage
Time: Thursday, 9:45 am
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Jeremy Leeser, Sterling Software
Abstract:
Imagine coming in to work and being presented with a prioritized "hot list"
of potential storage-related problems and the means to fix them fast.
Imagine a system that turns disparate data into valuable information by
proactively collecting, consolidating, and analyzing your storage systems.
And, imagine all of this delivered right to your desktop. This session
gives you an overview of enterprise-wide storage management using
VM:Vantage, a new and revolutionary VM-based solution.
U17 - VM/ESA Version 2 User Experiences
Time: Thursday, 9:45 am
Place: 228 Student Center
SPEAKER: Panel
Abstract:
Several people will relate their experiences (both positive and negative)
with converting to and running VM/ESA Version 2. Included will be some
discussion on the new features such as dynamic I/O configuration, POSIX and
the CMS GUI. The panel includes Byron Graham, Perry
Ruiter and Martha McConaghy.
U18 - CP Exits
Time: Thursday, 11:00 am
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Romney White, MiraSoft
Abstract:
A new function in VM/ESA Version 2, the CP Exit Facility, allows user
modifications to be incorporated as exits that can be loaded and changed
dynamically. It allows commands and Diagnose codes to be added and changed
without having to re-IPL. This session examines how this new technology can
be used in a practical sense, including some of its innovative
applications.
Two real-world applications of CP Exits are examined. The first involves a fairly conventional migration of a set of modifications from VM/ESA Version 1 to VM/ESA Version 2 that tries to take advantage of exits. The second is a more unusual application that adds interesting new function to VM/ESA Version 2. While it exploits some of the capabilities CP Exits provides, it does not actually use any exits.
I19 - TCP/IP for VM Basics
Time: Thursday, 11:00AM
Place: 228 Student Center
SPEAKER: John Roman, IBM VM/ESA Development
Abstract:
This session is designed for people who aren't familiar with TCP/IP,
especially TCP/IP for VM. It describes what TCP/IP is, what it can do for
you, and gives an overview of the application suite that comes with TCP/IP
for VM.
V20 - Advanced Web Development Using VM
Time: Thursday, 1:30 pm
Place: Worsham Theater
SPEAKER: Carl Forde, Beyond Software
Abstract:
The Internet is growing rapidly, and WWW browser software is already on
millions of computer desktops. Many companies are licensing web browsers
for the entire corporation. Web capability in the current generation of
operating systems make HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) servers and
HyperText Markup Language (HTML) browsers a de-facto standard for client-
server computing. Until now, the VM community has been on the periphery of
this Internet revolution. Although many VM machines have TCP/IP, and many
of these have implemented shareware products, commercial solutions for VM
Web browsers or servers have not been available. Beyond Software
Incorporated has developed EnterpriseWeb, a commercial-grade World Wide Web
server for VM. EnterpriseWeb enables VM programmers to link their legacy
applications to a state-of-the-art interface using the flexibility of REXX
and CMS Pipelines.
Internet Web servers have become much more than tools for flat document retrieval and linkage. The current generation of servers include features that support logging, and support for simplified CGI scripting. Fully taking advantage of these features can dramatically improve processor and network load, and dramatically improve the functionality of information access. Carl Forde Senior Systems Architect at Beyond Software will discuss how these advanced features can be used in a VM environment.
U21 - Plumbers' Workbench
Time: Thursday, 1:30 pm
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Rob van der Heij, Philips C&P
Abstract:
The Plumbers' Workbench (PWB) has been described as "a workstation
application that has CMS in its back room". It is a client-server
application in which a CMS session is the server to any number of OS/2
clients.
When complete, the Plumbers' Workbench will be a graphical environment for developing applications based on CMS/TSO Pipelines, a "visual builder" application for assembling pipelines. It will also have extensive debugging capabilities, including a superset of the function now available with Chuck Boeheim's nifty PIPEDEMO program.
Version 1 of PWB, which is available now for CMS, includes most of the infrastructure needed for the final product, but does not yet have the graphical interface. It is, however, quite useful in itself. The primary function it provides is the ability to pipe workstation data through a pipeline on CMS and to return the results to the workstation.
U22 - TRACEXEC
Time: Thursday, 2:45 pm
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Kent Fiala, SAS Inc.
Abstract:
TRACEXEC is a multi-purpose tool for debugging and tuning EXECs. It
provides a full-screen (XEDIT-based) debugger for REXX EXECs, in which you
can easily set or clear breakpoints while your exec is running, eliminating
the need to edit-in TRACE statements or to use SET EXECTRACE. It allows
you to profile your REXX EXECs, reporting exact CPU time accumulation for
each line of specified execs. And it allows you to profile a multi-exec
application, by reporting when each exec is entered or exited, and by
reporting CPU time accumulations for every exec. I'll describe and
demonstrate how it works. The code will be on the tools tape.
V23 - ESATUNER (aka Velociraptor)
Time: Wednesday, 2:45 pm
Place: 228 Student Center
SPEAKER: Barton Robinson, Velocity Software
Abstract:
Has "Jurassic Park" met VM performance tuning? Can a T-Rex really solve
your capacity problems? Will Barton be eaten by a large, prehistoric
reptile? Who knows? Barton didn't have an abstract for this session, so
we made one up. Attend this session and see if his software can stand up
to the test!
I24 - VM Developers' Free-for-All
Time: Thursday, 4:00 pm
Place: Worsham Theater
SPEAKER: Maryrita Steinhour and John Roman, IBM VM/ESA Development
Abstract:
During the last few Workshops, Maryrita and John have become our "resident"
VM developers. They bring us all the latest news from Endicott and take
back all our comments and observations. We can vouch for the fact that
Endicott DOES hear what we have to say.
This is an open session, where you get the chance to ask questions and give comments. However, please be kind to our IBM'ers so they'll survive until the end of the week......%-)
U25 - Large System Tuning: A Guest Environment
Time: Thursday, 4:00 pm
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Nick Laflamme, GENIX Group
Abstract:
So, you've inherited a VM system with no CMS users but lots of guests, some
of which run VM, some of which run other operating systems. How do you
know if the whole system is running well? How do you detect and attack
performance problems? What measurements look interesting but are
ultimately irrelevant? Will Lassie save Timmy from the burning barn? Are
there knobs that CMS intensive shops ignore that are more meaningful in a
hypervisor environment?
V29 - DCM - Enabling direct VM-to-VM communications
Time: Friday, 8:30 am
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Byron Graham & Romney White
Abstract:
DCM, the VM/ESA Distributed Command Manager, is a product Romney developed
for Byron. It uses distributed IUCV to allow a DCM server on one VM system
to talk directly to a counterpart on another VM system. No additional
products (e.g., VTAM, RSCS, PVM) are required. Because it uses distributed
IUCV, DCM simply needs some type of connection that allows one CP to talk
with another (an ISFC link via CTCA is a good example).
Byron will describe some of the ways Kimball International has used this tool, while Romney will explain how it works.
U30 - MAN BITES DOG: Using the SFS as the ESM for Minidisks and Tapes
Time: Friday, 8:30 am
Place: 228 Student Center
SPEAKER: Roger Deschner and John Schulien, University of Illinois at Chicago
Abstract:
We got tired of searching for an External Security Manager for the Shared
File System that suited us, and our existing system for minidisks and tapes
was highly dependent on an MVS/SP system which was being phased out. So we
gave up the search. We built a system-wide ESM on top of SFS's own
security. This provides for access control for minidisks, tapes, and any
other kind of object which we might want to secure in the future. (It does
not provide VM LOGON password security, however.) We wrote an end-user
interface which makes SFS, Minidisk, and Tape security appear to be
seamless. We also installed the new version of Sterling's VM:Secure, which
eases management of SFS and its built-in security facility.
This presentation will be a Research Report covering why we took this unusual approach, our experiences to date doing it, and what we'd do differently next time. Unfortunately, this system is, at this point, not distributable due to containing a large number of local dependencies, not to mention those things we'd do differently next time.
I31 - VM/ESA GUI Facility: Your Windows to the Future
Time: Friday, 9:45 am
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Maryrita Steinhour, IBM VM/ESA Development
Abstract:
Do your users want a new lock to VM -- more like their workstation windows?
That is what the GUI facility for VM is all about! This presentation gives
the background behind this new technology on VM, and what you can do to run
applications on your VM system that look like applications running under
OS/2, Microsoft Windows and AIX. A live demo of the "CMS Desktop",
including some new features will be included in this presentation.
V32 - Requirements Discussion with Velocity Software
Time: Friday, 9:45 am
Place: 228 Student Center
Chair: Barton Robinson, Velocity Software
Abstract:
Open discussion on Velocity's software products and customers' requirements
for them.
V33 - Overview of TCP3270
Time: Friday, 11:00 pm
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Anne-Marie Marcoux, McGill University
Abstract:
Anne-Marie will give a general update on the new version of McGill's
TCP3270 product, from a "dumb users" point of view (Anne-Marie's words, not
mine).
Anne-Marie is also the intrepid hostess for the 1997 VM Workshop.
U34 - E-mail Directory Services
Time: Friday, 11:30 am
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Dave Elbon, University of Kentucky
Abstract:
We have been providing e-mail directory information to our users for over a
decade as the number of users has increased by a factor of 1,000. This has
required changes in the service to keep up. Administrative requirements
have also changed. Our current service uses a mix of protocols (including
the CSO nameserver phonebook protocol) and the resulting tools have proven
useful for other applications.
U35 - LZW Compression using CMS Pipelines
Time: Friday, 11:00 am
Place: 228 Student Center
SPEAKER: Rob van der Heij, Philips C&P
Abstract:
This paper shows an implementation of the LZW algorithm for GIF encoding
using CMS/TSO Pipelines with bare hands (ie. using only built-in stages, no
REXX programming). The main reason for coding this in CMS/TSP Pipelines
was the thrill of doing so as well as showing that it can be done. Note:
the material may be confusing for novice plumbers.
I36 - ADSM/VM Update
Time: Friday, 1:30 pm
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Greg Tevis, IBM ADSM Development
Abstract:
This session summarizes recent ADSM support on the VM platform. We will
focus on the ADSM Version 2 functions soon to be available on the ADSM/VM
server. A variety of ADSM hints and tips will also be presented.
Greg Tevis is in ADSM technical support and has been on the ADSM product for 5 years. Prior to that, he was a VM systems programmer and developer for 7 years.
U37 - Writing Pipeline Stages in High Level Languages
Time: 1:30 pm
Place: 228 Student Center
SPEAKER: Dave Jones, Velocity Software
Abstract:
While it is most common to write new CMS PIPELINE stages in REXX, it is
possible and in many cases, desirable, to write new stages in high level
languages (HLLs) like PL/I and "C". Stages may need to access VM
subsystems that don't have a native REXX interface (eg., the ESSL/370
subroutine library for performing numerical algorithms) or a stage written
in REXX may perform too slowly, even when compiled. This presentation will
be in two parts: the first part will cover in detail all of the mechanics
of writing a PIPES stage in a HLL, PL/I, using the HLL support tools the
Master Piper has thoughtfully provided. These tools, along with their
documentation, will be provided on the VM Workshop Tape, so you can take
them home with you and begin writing your own HLL stages immediately.
The second part of the presentation will demonstrate how to use the PIPES HLL interface and tools by implementing two new stages: a checksum (crc) stage and a stage to "peel" data from a record, analogous to the PIPE built in OVERLAY stage. Both of these new stages will be included on the tools tape as well for your use. If time permits and there is interest from the audience, other stages could be constructed as well.
I38 - VM's GUI Guts: Inside the VM GUI Facility API
Time: Friday, 2:45 pm
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Maryrita Steinhour, IBM VM/ESA Development
Abstract:
Learn about the Application Programming Interface behind the CMS desktop
for VM/ESA version 2.1. Using programming examples as we go, this session
will explain the OO concepts used for building your CMS GUI applications,
taking advantage of the graphical controls of your OS2, Microsoft Windows,
or AIX workstation operating system. In addition, we'll look at the GUI
Builder and how it can be used to easily build an application to add to
your CMS desktop.
This session will walk through the creation of a simple GUI application using the Workstation Agent GUI Builder.
U39 - Open ADSM Developer Dialog
Time: Friday, 1:30 pm
Place: 228 Student Center
Chair: Martha McConaghy, Marist College
Abstract:
A frank and free-wheeling discussion with Greg Tevis about ADSM on VM and
its future.
V40 - TIMETRAP - Getting a Lock on the Year 2000
Time: Friday, 4:00 pm
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Romney White, MiraSoft
Abstract:
Last year at the VM Workshop, the subject of Year 2000 support for VM was
addressed in the context of providing support for multiple time zones in
VM/ESA. This year, the reverse approach is examined and time zone support
is mentioned as a trivial case of what began as a Year 2000 test tool and
blossomed into a general purpose date and time function monitor. One
significant difference is that while multiple time zone support was merely
a design for potential implementation, a Year 2000 test tool for CMS has
been implemented and is available as a product.
U41 - Things Your Mother Never Told You about VM Debugging
Time: Friday, 4:00 pm
Place: 228 Student Center
SPEAKER: Fred Hitzman, Information Builders Inc.
Abstract:
A repeat of a talk given by Phil Smith III at SHARE, February 1995, "Fun
with CP Debugging". Also a number of things you might have missed on VM in
general, including how to keep those FOCUS sink machines alive and well,
DUMPSCAN macros and the Kitchen sink.
G43 - Saturday Opening and Requirements Session
Time: Saturday, 8:15 am
Place: Worsham Theatre
Chair: Martha McConaghy
Abstract:
This will be an expanded edition to the opening where we will discuss the
requirements submitted during the week and take a vote on each one.
I44 - Porting UNIX Applications TO VM
Time: Saturday, 9:30 am
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Maryrita Steinhour, IBM VM/ESA Development
Abstract:
Where's the best place to run UNIX applications? VM! But to run them there,
you've got to port them there. This session provides a step-by-step
approach that you can use to port any POSIX-compliant application from UNIX
to VM/ESA Version 2.
U45 - From The Table, Through the Pipe, Nothing But Net!
Time: Saturday, 9:30 am
Place: 228 Student Center
SPEAKER: Nick LaFLamme, GENIX or Not GENIX?
Abstract:
You've got data in a SQL/DS table, and you've got users who should be able
to browse the data who can't be bothered to log onto VM. What to do, what
to do? Is a CMS Pipelines running as a CGI script on a Webshare server
able to look at the SQL/DS data and bring the data to the users? Will
Lassie save Timmy from the arson charges resulting from the barn fire?
Come see how one VM'er put lots of little pieces together in one big piece to expose a SQL/DS table to the World Wide Web. There won't be any glowing revelations here, just a reminder that big results are built from little pieces.
U46 - 1 + 1 = 1
Time: Saturday, 10:45 am
Place: 230 Student Center
SPEAKER: Perry Ruiter, Government of British Columbia
Abstract:
The normal laws of arithmetic don't apply when interconnecting VM systems.
Come and learn how we took two VM systems and joined them together using
CSE and ISFC and made them look like one system.
