What's new in version 5.2

This version adds the following new function
Note: The CICS® DA plug-in version 5.2 must be installed in CICS Explorer® version 5.2.
New Function Description
Clone an unmanaged CICS region

Cloning regions and provisioning environments is one of the key features of CICS DA. It helps you to consistently generate JCL that conforms to corporate standards, and create data sets that are appropriate to the level of CICS being provisioned. In the previous release of CICS DA, CICS regions can be cloned only if they were already part of a CICSPlex® SM environment. This version extends this capability by providing the function to clone an unmanaged region.

Limitation: If the unmanaged region has a CMCI port that is configured, then the CMCI port must be configured manually in the region that is created by the clone process before CMCI can be used with the new region.

Limitation: CICS DA does not support all the new features of JCL that are introduced in z/OS® 2.1 If you have upgraded to z/OS 2.1, and have changed your jobs to include the new features , then the clone operation might not be successful.

For more information about the clone function, see Cloning a CICS region

Externalized API

During discovery, CICS DA gathers a vast amount of Sysplex and topology information. The externalized API provides you with the ability to extract this data by using standard mechanisms that are available within web and Mobile technologies, as well as being available to other z/OS-based applications. The external RESTful API provides access for external tools and automation to use the Sysplex data that is discovered by the CICS DA server.

Limitations:
  • The API supports only access to the Sysplex, z/OS systems, and managed regions.
  • The API authenticates user credentials, but run no authorization checks.
  • The format of the returned JSON data might change before the GA release.

For more information about the API, see The CICS DA external API

Region Comparison User interface

Using the comparison feature, you can compare two CICS regions that CICS DA discovered. The comparison information is presented in a side-by-side editor within the CICS DA client plug-in, with an extra panel that lists the attributes that are different. This information helps you to analyze whether two regions are similar enough to be considered for consolidation; thus reducing the number of running CICS regions and in turn, reducing the overhead costs.

The feature can also help you to identify why a certain transaction abends in one region and not another, or to check whether two regions are similar; for example, whether a test region is a fair reflection of a production region. The comparison function is started in the CICS DA client plug-in by selecting two regions, and then right-clicking and selecting Compare with each other from the menu. The regions that can be compared are as follows:
  • Unmanaged CICS Regions
  • Managed CICS Regions
  • CICSPlex SM WUI servers
  • CMASes

This function is similar to the function that is available in the IBM® CICS Configuration Manager. The regions can be selected from the DA Explorer view, the Connections view or from the main Visualization view. The request gathers data about the two regions that is held in CICS DA, and presents the information in a new side-by-side editor. An extra panel lists the attributes that are different for the two regions. The information can be used to help you determine any differences between region topology. This information can help with tasks such as region consolidation, problem determination, and comparable region validation.

Limitations:
  • The comparison UI shows only a limited subset of the information that might be considered when you are comparing two CICS regions.
  • The grouping and presentation of data in the UI might change in future versions.
Discovery of TCP/IP ports

The discovery operation now identifies the TCP/IP stacks and port numbers that are in use in a z/OS system. A list of the TCP/IP stacks and port numbers, along with the port type, host name, and job name, is shown in the TCP/IP Port Usage tab z/OS System editor.

For more information about the z/OS System editor, see z/OS System editor

Support for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP800-131a security standard.

CICS Deployment Assistant Version 5.2 can connect to CICS systems by using the SP800-131a security standard. The SP800-131a standard requires longer key lengths and stronger cryptography than other standards.

There are no changes to the CICS DA plug-in. Your keystore and truststore details are listed in the Security and certificate management page, which is available by clicking Window > preferences > Explorer > Certificate Management, as they are today.

The CICS DA server environment variables file, CPHENVAR, now includes new variables for SSL. You must ensure that your CICS DA server is started with the correct variables file if you are using the SP800-131a security standard.

Changed Function Description
New options when cloning a CICS region
The Clone Managed Region wizard has been extended to provide more options when you clone a CICS region. You can set the following options from a new page in the wizard:
  • The z/OS system on which the new region runs
  • The CICSplex that the new region is a member of
  • The Sysgroups that the new region is a member of
  • The owning CMAS for the new region
All other information that is required to create the new region is obtained from the source region.

For more information about the clone function, see Cloning a CICS region

Miscellaneous enhancements

Various extra enhancements are included in this release. They are as follows:

  • Discovery of the GRPLISTs specified for each of the discovered CICS regions. The GRPLISTs are presented in the Details panel of the relevant CICS region editor.
  • Validation of template XML files.
  • Ability to stop the CICS DA server by using the console modify command, for example: /f {DA_server},appl=shutdown.
  • More diagnostic messages and logging.