CIT expects to have a new OS/390 system available at the NIH Computer Center beginning August 31, 2000. This new system combines the best features of our two distinct, highly modified OS/390 systems into a third "standard" system that is easier and less expensive to maintain, and can be more quickly adapted to changes in technology. This will be done while minimizing the impact on users of both existing systems. While most of the changes to the new system involve system software and code, some changes will affect what you, our customers, see. Starting on August 31, CIT will work with a few specific application owners to migrate from the North to the standard system. On October 2, the standard system will be available for general use.

North System Migration

Since the current North system has fewer modifications to the OS/390 operating system, there will be fewer changes in store for the users moving to the standard system. The current timeline calls for North system users to begin migrating in September/October 2000. The two biggest changes for North users in preparation for this migration are the switch to RACF generic profiles and the implementation of the new Virtual Storage Manager (VSM) for tapes. (See the separate articles on generic profiles and the VSM.)

These two changes will allow the North system and the standard system to share their DASD and tape environments. That is, disk and tape data sets created on the North system will be accessible from the standard system and vice versa. This should simplify testing and migration to the standard system. As more applications move to the standard system, less and less work will remain on the North system. At some point the two systems will merge to become one—currently projected for the first quarter of 2001.

South System Migration

Migration of South system users will begin as soon as the North system migration is complete. South system users will experience more changes than North system users because the South system is a more customized and modified system. Probably the biggest changes for South users are automatic RACF protection of data sets and the enforcement of data set naming conventions for tapes. Both of these changes are required for security reasons.

The good news for South system users is that WYLBUR will continue to exist on the standard system. Most of the complex functions that were added to the operating system to support WYLBUR are now available via new standard interfaces in OS/390. Thus, CIT staff can eliminate most of the system modifications that were required in the past and continue to make WYLBUR available on the standard system.

New USERid Scheme

Both North and South users will appreciate that the new USERid scheme will accommodate both the current North and South USERids with almost no changes. USERids on the standard system will consist of 3 to 7 characters. Unlike the current North and South systems, the RACFid, TSOid, and USERid on the standard system will be identical.

The current North system TSOid ($iii) will become the USERid/TSOid/RACFid on the standard system. The current South system account and initials (aaaaiii) also will become the standard system USERid/TSOid/RACFid. This design eliminates the need for users to rename their data sets, reduces associated changes to JCL, and allows users to continue logging onto the system with the same character string they have used for years.

Data Set Naming Conventions

Data set naming conventions for both disk and tape will require that data sets begin with either a USERid or a RACF group name. This convention accommodates current North system practice and opens up an additional option for South system users to encourage standardized naming practices for production work. (See also the article, "Getting Tape Data Ready for the OS/390 Standard System.")

Creating the standard system is a challenging and stimulating process. As more decisions are made they will be posted on the system’s Web page, http://silk.nih.gov/silk/standardsyste. Please check this site regularly to see what is happening or join the CIT-OS390-Transition-L listserv list to be notified of changes that are posted on this Web page.

Interface 214 (June 23, 2000)