Mainframerz are in demand
Andrew (Andy) McCandless
Presales Consultant Beta Systems ?? IBM Champion 2023 & 2024
In this edition
Mainframerz newsletter delay due to GSE UK & next event update ?? Call for Code - final call ?? Mainframers are in demand ?? Introduction to REXX ?? Where next for Db2 ?? IBM Champions nominations ?? IBM z Day ?? Modernisation & Migration ?? State of IT Risk Report ?? Reminder Post your Mainframe jobs for free on our Slack channel ?? Just For Fun - various stories ??
Intro
A quick recap from our Open Mic session: On the night we heard stories about what happened with the largest mainframe in the world, datacenters with fire, floods and other misfortunes. Stories about ex-colleagues and much more.
I hope everyone had a lot of fun and enjoyed the stories on the night, feedback so far was positive so far from those who attended.
Big thank you to Ezriel Gross for doing a great hosting job again!
Mainframerz Newsletter & Event
Delay to next newsletter & next event
A quick note myself and some of my Mainframerz colleagues will be attending GSE UK this year, and in addition I will be travelling to Germany in the week before, after my work event ends I will be taking part in a virtual booth at the #Automationweek event, I will be a bit busy.
Small newsletter delay: I only write this newsletter in my spare time, due to travelling internationally and representing my company at an event I don't think I will have any spare time. I will be tied up for the next two weeks.
An update on planning for Mainframerz: I can say we are discussing if we can squeeze in one more Mainframerz Event, if we all have time for this before Christmas.
As an open event to all, we love to hear your feedback and suggestions. If you have any thoughts around timing, content or anything else I hope to share a feedback form {in the next newsletter} and before this as always you can add a comment to the newsletter post or reach out to me in private, please allow for a short delay in my reply.
Call for Code: 2023 Call for Code Global Challenge
Mainframerz are in demand
Have you heard about Call for Code? The global challenge that needs your help to help others, you can win cash prizes and recognition, it's now your last chance to take place.
The deadline for submissions is 20th October 2023.
We’re calling on teams of developers and problem solvers to build tech solutions that leverage IBM AI technologies to address specific global sustainability problems in clear and unique ways. By participating in the Global Challenge, in addition to the chance to win prizes and implementation support, you’ll gain skills in emerging tech like AI and machine learning and contribute to projects that have potential to help our planet. Register to get started.
?? If you would like to find out more visit Call for Code
Mainframerz Are in Demand
How to Build an Internal Mainframe Talent Pool
It was a pleasure earlier this year to meet with IBM and other leading mainframe customers to discuss the mainframe skills shortage and in Economics terms I was able to discussing "a freeing of the Mainframe Labour market".
I am not the only one who has been speaking to IBM and Darren Surch a lifelong IBM Champion also spoke with them to help offer advice.
I have included a sample from the article Darren submitted for Share the US equivalent to GSE and a link to the blog below:-
With a shortage of mainframe-skilled university graduates available to replenish the modern mainframe workforce, mainframe organizations are ensuring long-term workforce vitality and efficacy by building internal talent pools. The synergy of succession planning, strategic upskilling, and internal mobility provides a powerful solution to a persistent mainframe industry challenge.
?? Read the Share Blog post
REXX
Introduction to REXX
In my last edition I shared a way using a REXX procedure to call cURL, Python & Java Script.
I was asked about REXX and if I could sign-post any help or advice around REXX, I found the following YouTube video which I think is a very helpful starting point.
The video below by Venkat Trainer may be of interest if you wish to learn more about REXX.
?? A quick search on wikipedia gives examples and tips of how to use REXX and the syntax, it's a great reference source if you are curious to see what REXX is and its commands and syntaxes.
Did you know?
REXX stands for Restructured Extended Executor, a high-level programming language developed in the late 1970s by IBM employee Mike Cowlishaw.
Although it is popular on IBM Mainframe as early as the 1980s REXX was adapted for various operating systems beyond IBM mainframes, including: Unix, DOS, OS/2, and Windows, making it a cross-platform scripting language.
REXX was even developed for the Commodore Amiga and can now be found in use on mobile phones.
Where next for DB2
DB2 for AI
DB2 has been a staple of the mainframe, and I'm sure everyone is familiar with the name. Like everything mainframe it continues to evolves smoothly and without issues.
DB2 13 for z/OS now allows DB2 to take advantage of the IBM Z Telum processor for AI workloads.
From a developer perspective, the basic functionality of SQL Data Insights is delivered via three new built-in functions:
IBM Champions program nominations are now open
Nominations for new IBM Champions are open until 27th November 2023
Nominations are now open for the 2024 class of IBM Champions! You have until 27 November 2023 to nominate someone you think might make a great addition to the program, or to nominate yourself.
IBM Champions demonstrate practical expertise in IBM technologies while providing extraordinary support and advocacy in IBM digital and local communities.
I wanted to share what is involved in the IBM Champions program and some guidance about becoming an IBM Champion.
The IBM Champions program recognizes these innovative thought leaders in the technical community and rewards their contributions by amplifying their voice and increasing their sphere of influence. IBM Champions are enthusiasts and advocates: IT professionals, business leaders, developers, executives, educators, and influencers who support and mentor others to help them get the most out of IBM software, solutions, and services.
?? Not quite a thought leader yet? The IBM Rising Champions advocacy badges provide an on-ramp to the IBM Champions program by providing encouragement, support, and connection to advocates at all stages of their journey.
IBM Champions are not employees of IBM.
All nominations are a two-step process:
The selection committees are looking for examples of advocacy, mentoring, content creation, and support of the technical and partner communities beyond the scope of a person’s job. In addition, they need to see evidence of expertise in IBM offerings, products, services, or communities.
IBM Z Day is happening next week on October 18th!
Join over 16,000 community members who have already registered for our largest technical event of the year, including developers, solution architects, data enthusiasts, students and lifelong learners from around the world.
?? Register now!!
Don’t miss this opportunity to earn new and exclusive IBM Z Day 2023 Knowledge Certificates in Data & AI and IBM Z Skills.
?? Learn more about how to earn these certificate here.??????????? ????????????????????????????????????
This no-cost, one-day deep dive technical event is approaching quickly. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the 80+ technical sessions featuring dozens of client speakers sharing best practices and uses cases that you can look forward to, and so much more….
IBM Z Day begins at 8 am ET.? Built for global learners, The IBM Z Skills Acceleration track will start at 3 am ET.?
领英推荐
With 5 content rich tracks including IBM Z, App Modernization, Data & AI, Sustainability and IBM Z Skills Acceleration – there is something for everyone.?
?? The full agenda can be found here.
Featured Keynotes:
Featured Thought Leaders:?
Featured Demo Sessions:
I know that "IBM can’t wait to see you at the largest IBM Z event ever!"
Modernisation & Migration
Avoiding IT Meltdown: Practical Hints And Tips For Managing Technology
At our latest Mainframerz event we held an Open Mic night where we shared funny stories and the odd horror story (it is nearly Halloween).
A few days before our event I was lucky enough to talk to Brian Lancaster who has been featured in many news articles around banking projects such as TSB, COOP & others in the UK, offering opinion and advice on what may have gone wrong.
Together we shared a few stories and its funny how when talking to others and hearing stories it can remind you of other stories. What was really nice of Brian is that he sent me a copy of his book, filled with advice about how to avoid IT meltdown.
We’ve all heard about large companies suffering serious IT failures. That doesn’t mean smaller organisations are immune – they just don’t make the same sized headlines.
What can you do to avoid a damaging IT meltdown? Running a good quality IT service for your organisation requires management capabilities that are fit for purpose. Processes, methods, techniques, procedures and best practices that ensure you implement IT change smoothly, deal with incidents calmly, detect and resolve underlying problems quickly, and manage your complex infrastructure proactively so that it is secure, resilient, and scalable.
Brian worked for IBM and HSBC before going into consulting. He has led technical teams, managed projects, and run IT resilience and capability evaluations. His career has centred on the operation, service management, and technical support of IT systems where he has seen lots of methods and techniques that work well … and quite a few that don’t.
If you did attend our Open Mic event I can say a few of our team had a few stories we didn't think we could share even when the event wasn't recorded, I'm sure if you grab a beer with us at GSE we will share a few stories that didn't make the Open Mic edit.
?? Get your own copy of: Avoiding IT Meltdown
State of IT Risk Report 2023
What IT decision makers say about the state of IT risk
If you have avoided an IT meltdown you may also want to know about the state of IT risk in 2023. You can find out "What IT decision makers say about the state of IT risk", I have included a short extract and a link below.
2023 State of IT Risk Report reveals that disruptions are a reality?and provides?the nine foundational steps to anticipate, protect against, withstand?and recover from these disruptions.
On track: IBM ELM
I have been approached to ask if I have IBM ELM experience or know anyone who might fit the role. The role is working with IBM ELM for the Rail industry in the UK {London or Bristol}.
If you are interested please let me know and I will connect you with the recruiter.
I am currently recruiting for an IBM ELM Consultant, and wondered if you, or anyone you know, might be interested?
?? Just a reminder - we do have a free channel available on our slack page where you can post job adverts for Mainframers for free.
?? Just for fun {mainframe & non-mainframe}
Did you know? Signalman Jack: Worked for the Railroad—and Never Made a Mistake
Who was Signalman Jack, he was a trained Baboon working for South African Railways who died in 1890.
The following is taken from Wikipedia
Jack was the pet and assistant of double leg amputee signalman James Wide, who worked for the Cape Town–Port Elizabeth Railway service. James "Jumper" Wide had been known for jumping between railcars until an accident where he fell and lost both of his legs at the knee.
To assist in performing his duties, Wide purchased Jack in 1881, and trained him to push his wheelchair and to operate the railways signals under supervision.
Credit hear goes to Masterminds {American Gameshow Network} as it was one of their questions.
Millions of Exim mail servers exposed to zero-day RCE attacks
Have you heard of the EXIM vulnerability that was announced, it's found on many mail servers or around 342,000 mail servers are affected.
At the time of writing no patch is available and you may be exposed.
A critical zero-day vulnerability in all versions of?Exim mail transfer agent (MTA) software can let unauthenticated attackers gain remote code execution (RCE) on Internet-exposed servers.
MTA servers like Exim are highly vulnerable targets, primarily because they are often accessible via the Internet, serving as easy?entry points for attackers into a target's network.
While a patch is not yet available {last time I checked when the story was breaking - please check} to secure vulnerable Exim servers against potential attacks, ZDI {Trend Micro's?Zero Day Initiative} advised admins to restrict remote access from the Internet to thwart incoming exploitation attempts.
Nowadays the mainframe is interconnected with so many other systems that issues such as compromised password vaults, and so many other security risks can also affect your mainframe that I like to share them, they are not always directly mainframe but often these risks can be used to gain access to your mainframe data.
In fact I am not the only person I have seen sharing this I wanted to share a short extract from Tech Channel and Trevor Eddolls :-
Wouldn’t it be handy if you could just purchase what you need to log in? That’s what initial access brokers (IABs) sell. If they have managed to get into a network or mainframe, they may well have left some backdoors that they could use in future to gain access. The most popular methods used by IABs to gain access to an organization in the first place include compromised emails, cloud misconfigurations and software supply chain attacks. After spending time getting in themselves, they can sell the information on the dark web and our beginner can purchase it and get into your mainframe right away.
Update 10/2/2023: As announced by Exim on the OpenWall security mailing list, a security update for exim-4.96.1 and 4.97 has been created that mitigates the three most critical vulnerabilities (CVE-2023-42114, CVE-2023-42115, CVE-2023-42116) and will be available throughout the day today.
?? Read the Source
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BLMS - Helping you increase IT resilience and avoid IT meltdown
1 年Hi Andy, good talking to you recently and thanks for including references to Avoiding IT Meltdown. Interesting to see the piece about IT Risk as well - that's my main area of focus - IT risk and resilience
Andrew (Andy) McCandless thank you for including my SHARE’d Intelligence article! This is an important new industry method that ensures the ongoing vitality and efficacy of the mainframe workforce. I want to spread the word!
Presales Consultant Beta Systems ?? IBM Champion 2023 & 2024
1 年Laticia Carrow good luck tomorrow at IBM z Day