IBM Business Model in Transition

Mainframe Training Experts

Computer Education Techniques, Inc. provides mainframe training programs for Fortune 1000 companies, government municipalities, healthcare providers, and consulting firms.

			Performance Learning Model		Guided Learning Model

			Industry Standard Subject Matter		Specialized Training - Client Specific

	Application Development		Coding Frameworks		Debugging Techniques		Performance

IBM client organizations are evaluating the costs and best use of capital associated with alternative scalable cloud computing processing to the value provided by having its own in-house mainframe system. IBM is promoting new capabilities and insights which take advantage of its data assets and security to support new market-driven applications for cloud, analytics and mobile.

The CETi - dba SYS-ED training programs have been upgraded and expanded to address the business and operational challenges facing mainframe installations. Applications developed up through the 1980's have to be maintained, updated, or ported to another platform - IBM WebSphere or alternative commercial or open source software. There also can be a requirement to implement DevOps and integrate the mainframe system of record with mobile and web applications. The course search engine encompasses this body of work: requests for proposals, industry standard courses, and specialized training.

Mainframe Computing

IBM continues to provide price/performance improvements in its zSeries mainframe hardware systems. The GSF: Guarded Storage Facility enables enterprise scale Java applications to run with fewer and shorter pauses for garbage collection on larger heaps. The SIMD: single instruction multiple data improves decimal operations with legacy programming languages - COBOL, PL/1, and Fortran and analytical processing with Apache Spark for z/OS. IBM Open Data Analytics for z/OS integrates open source analytics software with data access and abstraction services. It combines runtimes and libraries with analysis of z/OS data to reduce data movement and generate insights from current data. SIMD can process a large number of operands through a single instruction. This allows the development of smaller optimized code for faster processing of mathematical models. The co-processor in each core uses fewer CPU cycles for compression and expansion. This can be utilized in new order-preserving compression for IBM Db2 indices.

In IBM z Systems, SMT: Simultaneous Multithreading can process two simultaneous threads in a single core with z/Architecture capability for each thread. SMT only is supported by zIIP: z Integrated Information Processor and IFL: Integrated Facility for Linux specialty engines on the z13. An operating system with SMT can be configured for dispatching work to a thread on a zIIP for eligible workloads in z/OS or an IFL for z/VM on behalf of Linux on z System guest or native Linux on z Systems core in single thread or SMT mode. The use of SMT provides a more efficient use of the processor resources and addresses memory latency. The result is a gain in throughout. ¹ Each software operating system / hypervisor has the ability to apply SMT for unique requirements. The z/OS SMT management drives the cores to high thread density to reduce variability and deliver repeatable performance across varying CPU utilization.

z/VM SMT management optimizes throughput by spreading a workload over the available cores until it requires the additional SMT capacity. When a program accesses a memory location not in the cache, the processor then must wait for the data to be fetched from the next cache level or main memory before execution can continue. A cache miss directly influences the performance and capacity of the core to execute instructions. With simultaneous multithreading exploitation, when one thread in the core is waiting for data to be fetched from the next cache levels or from main memory, the second thread in core can utilize the shared resources.

Virtualization and IBM Systems

Virtualization plays an important role in mainframe hardware. By virtualizing the processor, memory, storage, input/output, and networking resources into aggregated pools; applications can access resource pools without regard to specific hardware. This improves utilization of the mainframe and reduces the need for upgrades. Virtualization allows organizations to become more efficient in utilization of their existing infrastructure. Virtualization can be implemented at seven different levels: 1- operating system 2- application server 3- application 4- management 5- network 6- storage 7- service.

To achieve return on investment criteria, organizational enterprise requires virtualization to provide improved management of virtual resources and for its developers to create self-service efficiency to line of business users or end user customers from purchasing cloud services. The value of cloud infrastructure is in automation and delivering a standardized quality service which eliminates manual error prone processes. Cloud orchestration also provides end-to-end governance of the entire cloud service - from creation to reclamation.  Virtualization in conjunction with IT automation and process orchestration facilitates self-service delivery and reduces costs.

The IBM z/VM operating system can support hundreds of Linux images simultaneously. Web-enabled applications can be accessed by the company website or a native application; the advantage is the utilization of other web services such as security and personalization. Web service information also can help administrators troubleshoot mainframe applications.

IBM Mainframe and Distributed Processing

Distributed IBM mainframe systems are used to operate the cost efficient Linux operating system, run Java applications, enable customer-facing web services, and integrate mobile applications. Mobile phones connect to the z/OS operating system for online shopping. IBM mainframe systems dependably address information technology processing: cyber security, blockchain, and artificial intelligence.

The system Z mainframes will have a role in IBM:

IBM faces intense competition in the cloud market from Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Oracle, Salesforce, and others. As the largest supplier to the corporate data center, IBM has the most to lose when companies move from traditional data center computing to cloud computing alternatives. It is seeking to differentiate hardware, software, and services from lower cost providers. IBM gets most of its sales from private clouds which clients deliver as cloud-style services from their own data centers. The projections are that there will be combinations of mainframe systems and web servers providing cloud platforms. There also are web server and web-enabling technologies which integrate with IBM mainframe systems.

IBM has been investing and developing multiple approaches to cloud computing. Virtualization has been extended to automated cloud service delivery and management.

Mainframe Training Programs

CETi offers entry level and client-specific mainframe training programs. A comprehensive entry level training programs consists of three components: programming skills, programming language, and system software. Training program course modules are selected by the client: duration, subject matter, examples, workshops, and validation assessments. The client typically will incorporate project specifications as a on-the-job training component into the machine workshops which reinforces their in-place standards and strategic utilization of the software.

The standard mainframe training programs are:

These training programs fill the void associated with the absence of a mainframe NRV: Nationally Recognized Vendor curriculum. They range in duration from two to ten weeks.  

Prequalifying a Mainframe Assignment

Not everyone is allowed to enroll a CETi mainframe training program. Management initiating the request and the prospective attendee receive a course outline and learning path information. Additional information on subject matter - examples, workshops, and case studies can be requested by e-mail and a telephone consultation scheduled. In addition to pre and post course validation assessment, CETi recommends a mid-program examination, record of completed assignments, and a grade.

Courseware for Teaching

Student handouts provide a structured and sequential presentation of the training program lecture: performance objectives, review questions, examples, workshop objectives, exercises, and index. Training aids provide a convenient reference in coding and debugging programs. Textbooks are extended with examples, diagrams, workshops, and case studies which correspond to client-specific software environments.

Most training progams also have an accompanying courseware as learning center: self-study, advanced topics, and remedial practice.

COBOL and Assembler Training Progam - Examples

COBOL and Assembler languages can be taught in a mainframe environment: standalone or integrated programs. Within each component, there is choice regarding the software to be taught, duration, examples, and workshops.

In conjunction with presenting an instructor-led information technology training program, courseware is organized for future use in a web-based delivery medium. For organization’s with a requirement for their own staff to teach mainframe subject matter, courseware can be licensed.

Fast-track Training - Base Course with Training Program Extensions

Fast-track training programs are comprised of lecture, examples, and exercises which include client project specifications and provide an on-the-job training component. These programs also can augmented with course search engine title/topics:

IT professionals with experience in IBM mainframe systems, legacy programming languages, and the Java platform will be well suited to a fast-track program. The duration can be streamlined to ten days.

Content Delivery

A mainframe training program can be web-based or classroom instruction. Client organizations are presented with choices to address operational, scheduling, and assessment validation requirements.

CETi's distance-learning is 65% lecture. Program enrollment is contingent upon having met the quality of service to the client location: bandwidth, firewall, and set up of machine exercises. 

Teaching Models	Information Technology Training Service	Web-based Training