Paragraphs from the President
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this edition of the IDUG e-Bulletin, the first of my term as your President. Or at least that’s the plan: like many a hopeful politician agonizing over his acceptance speech the night before the election, publication deadlines mean that I am writing this before the voting has ended and IDUG’s new Board has been officially approved by our membership.
The move to online voting is an important step in IDUG’s ongoing transformation as we work to increase our members’ participation in the worldwide DB2 community and provide additional avenues for information sharing and collaboration. IDUG has always been an organization run by users for users, and as our community continues to expand into new territories it’s vital to allow all of our Premier Members around the world to have their say in how the organization operates.
In last month’s edition, outgoing President Bernie O’Connor briefly reviewed some of the major initiatives that came to fruition during his term. IDUG has certainly come a long way, but I believe that there is still much for us to do and many more ways in which we can continue to enhance the value we provide to our members.
Over the next 12 months, we’ll be continuing to innovate with our conference events, seeking to react to our existing attendees’ changing educational needs while reaching out to new territories such as Brazil. We’ll also be working hard to further enhance the range of online services we offer, with the aim of becoming an effective, year-round DB2 educational resource for each and every member, regardless of their level of previous technical experience or geographic location. Making these changes will require plenty of work, but I’m confident that IDUG’s unique combination of dedicated volunteers and highly professional Headquarters staff is equal to the task.
Finally, I’d like to say a few words of heartfelt thanks to Bernie O’Connor, our outgoing President. His hard work, commitment and tireless dedication to furthering IDUG’s aims during the past 12 months has been amazing and humbling to watch, and he will certainly be a tough act for me to follow. Provided the voting for the proposed Board slate goes well, I’m looking forward to rising to that particular challenge.
Until next month,
Julian Stuhler
President, IDUG – International DB2 Users Group
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Technical Library
Over a dozen presentations from the IDUG 2006 - Europe conference in Vienna, Austria were released to members during the month of April. Login to your member profile to access these and other helpful session in the IDUG Technical Library. Here are just a few examples of these presentations.
DB2 for z/OS Version 8 Performance
By John J. Campbell
This presentation covers the performance considerations, such as changes in the use of CPU time, I/O time, and virtual / real storage as a DB2 for z/OS subsystem is migrated to V8 compatibility mode and then to new function mode. It also provides performance monitoring and tuning tips on CPU and virtual storage usage of applications migrating to V8.
Implementing RACF Pass Tickets in DB2 for z/OS
By Cristian MolaroWhen using the TCP/IP protocol, DB2 supports User ID only, User ID and password and User ID and PassTicket as DRDA authentication mechanisms. For security reasons, the RACF PassTicket is the recommended choice for outbound connections. This presentation is about the advantages of using RACF PassTickets in different scenarios and their implementation. Description of DRDA over TCP/IP security. TCPALVER=YES and distributed security threads.
DB2 Viper: The Inside Scoop for Administrators
By Matt Huras
The next release of DB2 (i.e. the release AFTER V8.2.2) provides significant advancements in partitioning, storage management, performance, security, manageability, and several other areas. This presentation will provide a detailed technical overview of each of these advancements. It will provide the audience with an insider's view of the motivation behind each feature and how they provide business value to end users, as well as the internal design strategies used, and advice on how to best exploit these features.
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The Code Place
Two new items were recently added for member use to The Code Place. Login to your membership account to view these and other helpful hints:
Script to List Candidate Tables for Compression in DB2 LUW
Author: Mark Mulligan Sr.
Publish Date: Thursday, March 27, 2008
This script lists candidate tables for compression. A text file is generated with information about the server, instance, database, # tablespaces, tablespace types (D=DMS, S=SMS), schema, table name and row count (cardinality) from DB2 SYSCAT catalog views. Output can be imported into a spreadsheet and used to help plan a compression project.
Rexx to Interpret DBRM
Author: Ron Brown
Publish Date: Thursday, May 1, 2008
Updated version of a Rexx originally submitted by Ron Root to interpret DBRM in DB2 z/OS.
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e-Tips
To view more tips like this log into your member profile and visit IDUG's Member e-Tip page.
DB2 Command that Helps When Performing Directed Restore
Submitted by: Srinivasa Inaganti
db2ckbkp -T MARKETDB.0.db2inst1.NODE0000.CATN0000.20080401133802.001 | grep -i name The above command will give you the tablespace paths from backup image without verifying the image.
Three Ways to Truncate a Table in DB2 LUW
Submitted By: Srinivasa Inaganti
- ALTER TABLE T ACTIVATE NOT LOGGED INITIALLY WITH EMPTY TABLE
- Delete from tablename
- LOAD FROM EMPTY.IXF of IXF replace into tableschema.tablename
Tip on Deleting Large Number of Rows/Truncating a Table without Filling Up the Transactional Logs
Submitted By: Sandeep Shah
A common way to delete data is to delete the rows which match certain conditions only and not the entire table data. If the rows are in large numbers (millions), a 'delete from tab1 where col1='abc' ' will fill up the transactional logs. Also, a 'load from /dev/null replace into tab1' will not work here since the user wants to retain the other data in the table. A solution to this problem would be to select such rows in smaller chunks and then delete them. This will avoid filling up the transactional logs. Here is an example below. delete from (select col_1 from test where col_1 in ('abc','xyz') fetch first 10000 rows only); This query will select all rows with col1 = 'abc' and 'xyz' in chunks of 10000 and then delete them. If you have 100,000 such rows then just put this query in a 'for' loop from 1 to 10 and it will work just fine!
LOGINDEXBUILD Parameter Should be Set in HADR Environments
Submitted By: Srinivasa Inaganti
If this is OFF in HADR environments, index creation and reorgs will not be completely logged which will delay the failover process. The failover process is delayed because the index building occurs at the time of failover.
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Pick of the Forum
Log into your member profile to see view more items from the IDUG Discussion Forum.
Forum member Roger Miller provides advice on the various resources for configuring multiple DB2 regions in z/OS. Forum titled "Configuring multiple DB2 regions" with a last update date of April 1, 2008.
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IDUG Free Technical Web casts
What’s New in SQL for DB2 9 Part 2 – New SQL
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 11:00 a.m. ET
IDUG is pleased to partner with CA to deliver a free Web cast by renowned presenter Phil Grainger, CA Product Management Director. This live event will run approximately 60 minutes, and participants will have the opportunity to pose questions to the presenter. Capacity is limited.
About the Web cast:
It’s time to look at some of the new SQL that IBM has delivered in DB2 9 for z/OS. Learn all about SELECT FROM DELETE/UPDATE & MERGE, Intersect & Except, new OLAP specifications, local collating sequences, table Truncation, ROW CHANGE TIMESTAMPs, MERGE and other miscellaneous new functions. As you can see, there is a lot of useful new options in DB2 9 for z/OS and even in a series of Web casts like these, we are only scratching the surface.
About the Presenter:
Phil Grainger, Product Management Director, CA, has more than 17 years experience with DB2, starting in 1987 with DB2 Version 1.2. Since then he has worked with all versions, including Version 8. Beginning as a DBA for one of the largest users of DB2 in the UK, Phil moved to PLATINUM technology and then to his present role as Product Management Director for CA solutions for DB2. Phil has always been a keen supporter of user groups and is a regular speaker at CA events, as well as independent industry events. He currently serves as the CA representative on the European IDUG Planning Committee, and is a regular contributor to the IDUG sponsored DB2-L discussion list.
Web cast Schedule (USA time zones):
Wednesday, June 11, at 11:00 a.m. ET (10:00 a.m. CT, 8:00 a.m. PT). To register watch for additional information that will be posted on the www.IDUG.org Web site.
Performance Automation in DB2 LUW
Thursday June 19, 2008, 2:00 p.m. ET
IDUG will also partner with QUEST Software for an additinoal FREE Web cast presented by renowned author, presenter and DB2 expert Jim Wankowski. This Web cast will discuss the new autonomic tuning features in DB2 LUW, providing guidelines and tips for achieving optimal performance automation in a DB2 LUW environment. This live event will run approximately 60 minutes and participants will have the opportunity to pose questions to the presenter. As always, capacity is limited, so please register early.
About the Web cast:
You will not want to miss this presentation which will touch on many aspects of DB2 performance that span tuning opportunities for applications, databases, and the overall system. Key topics covered include:
- System Tuning: DB2 memory issues
- Database design and implementation: DDL, Indexing, and maintenance
- Application Tuning: application code and SQL
- Overview of new autonomic features
About the Presenter:
Jim Wankowski is the DB2 product manager for Quest Software. Jim has more than 24 years of development and database administration (DBA) experience with DB2 and is well known in the DB2 community. He has written articles for DB2 Magazine as well as z/Journal, and regularly presents at IDUG conferences, regional DB2 user groups and vendor seminars worldwide.
Prior to joining Quest Software in 2000, Jim had his own consulting company, The Titanium Group, which specialized in DB2 performance tuning. Previously, he spent nine years as a DB2 product specialist at Platinum Technology, and six years as a DB2 DBA for Northrop Aircraft.
Web cast Schedule (USA time zones):
Wednesday, June 19, at 2:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. CT, 11:00 a.m. PT). To register watch for additional information that will be posted on the www.IDUG.org Web site.
A recording of both of these great Web casts will be available for a short period of time after June 25th. Look for future announcements for direction on how to access these pre-recorded Web casts.
IDUG is pleased to sponsor these FREE distance learning opportunities. Questions about these Web casts can be directed to IDUG@IDUG.org.
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IDUG News
IDUG Video Competition - What Does DB2 Mean to You?
IDUG's Video Competition is your chance to show the world what DB2 means to you! This unique competition allows DB2 users worldwide to produce videos for their chance to win a selection of prizes. For complete details on how to submit content for this contest, please login to your member account. Videos will be judged in four categories:
- Humor/Parody
- DB2 Success Stories
- Documentary/Serious
- Going Green with DB2
Need inspiration on how to get started? Visit www.YouTube.com or Channel DB2 to see examples. Questions? Email IDUG@IDUG.org for any additional information.
IDUG Announces the Search XML Superstar Contest
During IDUG 2008 - North America, IDUG 2007-2008 Board President Bernie O’Connor announced the Search for the XML Superstar contest. This contest is a brand new, worldwide initiative aimed at highlighting the benefits of DB2. Through education, exposure to practical applications, and “tests” that validate understanding and ability to program IBM database technologies, the Search for the XML Superstar will seek to recognize and encourage skills-building in the areas of DB2, XML, pureXML, and XQuery.
The benefits contest participants receive are valuable and plentiful. In addition to honing new skills with high professional demand, participants will be eligible to win one of the following valuable prizes: all-expense paid trips to an IBM or IDUG industry conference, a Segway i2 personal transport system, new laptops, Nintendo Wii system, interviews and lab visits (for students), and more! To learn more about this exciting new contest, please visit www.channeldb2.com/superstar.
IDUG Announces New Requirements Process
Have you ever wished that DB2 had a feature that would save your company money, or perhaps make your job easier? IDUG is now starting a requirements process that will give you a stronger voice when communicating new ideas to IBM. This process will allow you to submit requirements to IDUG and have the IDUG Premier Membership vote to set a priority prior to sending them to IBM. Simply login to your Premier Member account and click on Product Enhancement Requests in the left hand column to find out more!
Participate in IDUG!
Want to help plan upcoming IDUG conferences and various other organization activities? If you have benefited from DB2 and IDUG, please consider giving back to the IDUG community by volunteering for the organization. IDUG offers several ways to become involved. Please consider applying for a position in one or more of the teams that make our volunteer driven organization work.
Experience Year-Round DB2 Education through the IDUG Online Learning Center
The new IDUG Online Learning Center, sponsored by BMC Software, is a leading-edge resource that allows you to experience IDUG’s top-notch conference education from the comfort of your home or office. Centrally located, download-on-demand streaming files make it easy to find DB2 educational resources on a variety of topics.
Want to learn more? Visit the IDUG Online Learning Center today! As a special offer, you can receive free access to Best User presentations.
NEW! IDUG Online Learning Center Packages
Purchase one of the following IDUG’s Online Learning Center packages and Experience IDUG on your own time.
Conference Pass*: This pass provides you access to all content from one major IDUG conference (North America or Europe) for 12 months after purchase.
- $399 for Premier Members
- $549 for Basic Members
Complete Learning Center Pass*: This pass provides you access to all content in the Online Learning Center for 12 months after purchase.
- $699 for Premier Members
- $899 for Basic Members
12-Pack Pass*: This pass allows you to combine any 12 sessions for the price of 10 and is available for 90 days after purchase.
- $49 for Premier Members
- $99 for Basic Members
*Please note these packages do not include Full-Day Educational Seminars held at the Europe and North America conferences. For purchase of these sessions, please visit the individual conference pages within the Online Learning Center.
New from IBM Press
IBM Press announced a new book being published at the end of May 2008:
Enterprise Master Data Management: An SOA Approach to Managing Core Information
By Allen Dreibelbis, Eberhard Hechler, Ivan Milman, Martin Oberhofer, Paul Van Run, Dan Wolfson.
Published by IBM Press. ISBN-10: 0-13-236625-8; ISBN-13: 978-0-13-236625-0; Published: May 30, 2008; Copyright 2008
Summary
The Only Complete Technical Primer for Every MDM Planner and Implementer Companies moving toward flexible SOA architectures often face difficult information management and integration challenges. The “lifeblood” master data they rely on is often stored and managed in ways that are redundant, inconsistent, inaccessible, non-standardized, and poorly governed. Using Master Data Management (MDM), organizations can regain control of their master data and maximize its value in SOA environments.
This book arrives as an authoritative, vendor-independent MDM technical reference for every practitioner: architects, technical analysts, consultants, solution designers, and senior IT decision-makers. Authored by the IBM data management innovators who are pioneering MDM, this book systematically introduces MDM’s key concepts and technical themes, explains its business case, and illuminates how it interrelates with and enables SOA.
Drawing on their experience with cutting-edge projects, the authors introduce MDM patterns, blueprints, solutions, and best practices published nowhere else--everything required to establish a consistent, manageable set of master data, and use it for competitive advantage.
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IDUG Events
IDUG 2008 – North America
May 18-22, Dallas, Texas
Nearly one thousand DB2 and IMS users from around the world landed in Dallas, Texas, for IDUG 2008 – North America, May 18-22. The week was filled with technical learning, formal and informal networking, and focused training.
Throughout the week, the learning environment created by Users for Users proved to be a great success! This was evidenced through session attendance, IBM certification participation, and the overall response from attendees. Complete details on the IDUG 2008 - North America conference can be found in this year's Conference Wrap Up story.
IDUG 2008 – India
21-23 August, Bangalore, India
The IDUG 2008 - India conference schedule is now available online.
Get the inside scoop on the technical sessions that will be available to you in Bangalore, India, 21 - 23 August 2008. A rich variety of DB2 content will be delivered by fellow users, leading industry vendors, and IBM developers who will be available to answer your questions and help you find solutions to your professional challenges.
Registration and housing options will be available shortly. Stay tuned to www.IDUG.org/India for more information.
IDUG 2008 – Europe
13-17 October, Warsaw, Poland
Register Today for IDUG 2008 - Europe!
The premiere European event for DB2 professionals, IDUG 2008 – Europe, will be taking place 13 – 17 October 2008 in beautiful Warsaw, Poland. Fax and mail-in register is now available for this great event! Register today by simply downloading a copy of our printable Conference Registration Form and fax or mail it back to IDUG Headquarters. For complete information on IDUG 2008 – Europe registration rates, click here. Online registration will be available in the coming weeks.
Special Savings
Maximise your training budget by taking advantage of Special Savings on IDUG 2008 - Europe registration rates. Gain experience that will benefit you and your entire organisation. Visit www.IDUG.org/savingsEU to learn more.
Want to Attend IDUG 2008 - Europe for Free?
Simply fill out this brief online survey for your chance to win FREE registration to IDUG 2008 - Europe! Click here for complete rules.
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