CA TPX
™
Session
Management r5.3
CA TPX™ Session Management (CA TPX) helps you manage user
menus for accessing VTAM applications on the mainframe while
offering end users a more streamlined way to start VTAM application
sessions and switch between them.
Overview
CA TPX acts as the broker between users and their VTAM applications. By providing a single network connection to establish multiple concurrent sessions, it creates virtual sessions to applications as needed. CA TPX has the tools essential for multitasking, session switching, connectivity, system management, and communication.
Business value
Features
Mainframe 2.0
CA TPX has adopted key Mainframe 2.0 features that are designed to simplify your use of CA TPX and enable your staff to install, deploy and maintain it more effectively and quickly.
CA Mainframe Software Manager™: CA Mainframe Software Manager (CA MSM) automates
CA TPX Session Management deployment and maintenance and removes SMP/E complexities.
— The Software acquisition service enables you to easily move product installation packages and maintenance from CA Support Online directly to your mainframe environment and prepare them for installation.
— The Software installation service standardizes CA TPX installation, which includes a new, streamlined Electronic Software Delivery (ESD) method that allows CA TPX to be installed using standard utilities. This service also provides standardized SMP/E product installation and maintenance via APARs and PTFs, and simplifies SMP/E processing through an intuitive graphical user interface and an intelligent installation wizard.
— The Software Deployment Service enables you to easily deploy CA TPX in your mainframe environment.
— CA MSM Consolidated Software Inventory (CSI) updates and infrastructure improvements add flexibility to CA MSM processing of CSIs and enable CA MSM to more effectively utilize CPU and system memory.
Installation Verification Program (IVP) and Execution Verification Program (EVP): As
part of qualification for inclusion in the set of mainframe products from CA Technologies released every May, CA TPX has passed stringent tests performed through the IVP and EVP to find and resolve interoperability problems prior to release. These programs are an extension of CA Technologies ongoing interoperability certification initiative launched in May 2009.
Best Practices guide: This guide provides information CA TPX installation, initial
Health Checker: The Mainframe 2.0 Health Checker provides CA TPX Health Checks that execute under the IBM Health Checker for z/OS. The CA TPX Health Checker is a valuable tool to identify potential problems before they impact your environment by:
— Improved CA TPX availability by eliminating outages due to configuration errors
— Pointing out CA TPX features that should be activated to get maximum benefit
— Pointing out settings that should be used for optimization---like having a Level 2 technician constantly reviewing your CA TPX settings
What’s new in CA TPX r5.3
Dynamic logmode: This feature provides terminal configuration and flexibility for an
improved user experience that’s more productive and easier to navigate. Users will benefit by selecting screen sizes, session parameters, and more to best meet their needs.
Submenu creation: Thisprovides the ability to build tiered CA TPX menus in either online or
batch administration, thus increasing user productivity, speed up menu familiarity, and simplify training. Utilizing this approach allows the CA TPX user community to group like applications together, for example: TSO and CICS.
OS Extended Console change: Future IBM releases will no longer support the OS Extended
Console-ID. The OS Extended Console Name will be utilized and provide meaningful information, help maintain compatibility, and reduce potential WTO issues.
‘‘Batch Reset Integrity’’ protection: Help protect the integrity of VSAM files against
accidental corruption. This feature implements safeguards to avoid the execution of a ‘‘Batch Reset Integrity’’ command while other jobs are utilizing the VSAM file.
Support MVS symbols within VTAM modeling: When generating z/OS system images, this
feature allows the specification of MVS symbols for clarity and uniqueness. It introduces automation to the LU naming generation process, saving time and reducing the potential for typos.
TPX application rebuild: CA TPX generic resource instances will remain active, even if the
coupling facility fails. This will allow currently signed-on users to continue working, thereby improving productivity and eliminating the need for a resign-on.
TPX user maintenance panel update: This update incorporates a new ‘‘Record Count Limit’’
field to limit the number of users displayed. Additionally, a ‘‘*’’ can now be placed at the end of an entry in the UserID field. By creating this new field and ‘‘*’’ functionality, the
SMF Type05 and 06 record enhancement: The IP address and Port address will be available and contained within Type 05 and 06 SMF reporting. This will help support tracking, debugging, or auditing efforts by determining who is accessing TPX.
Route CA TPX operator commands to other CA TPX jobs: With this new enhancement, an
operator command can be generated and executed for all CA TPX instances within the same Generic Resource Pool. This will create optimization with a recognized savings of time and effort.
Prevent deletion of default profiles: A CA TPX administrator will not be allowed to delete
the default profile for dynamic users in SMRT. These controls can prevent the loss of weeks’, if not months’, worth of potential administrative work and avoid issues restarting CA TPX due to a deleted default profile.
Enable cross CA TPX messaging via the console/TPXOPER ‘‘SEND’’ command: This
feature provides capability, through the console/TPXOPER interfaces, to issue a SEND command (messages and broadcasts) to other CA TPX instances within the same Generic Resource Pool. Feature utilization can result in increased productivity, time savings, and less effort by creating the command once and having it executed on all relevant CA TPX
instances.
Display quiesce status on main CA TPX menu: The main menu will display the status field
when an application is pending or has been placed in quiesce mode via the TPXOPER. This will enhance the user experience by providing an understanding of application availability before access is attempted.
CA TPX is easy to customize and maintain, yet powerful enough to manage different types of users and improve their productivity levels. In addition, the solution includes such features as:
Multiple application support: Users of multiple applications can easily access these
applications through a single interface, whether they are accessing mainframe-based applications through a physical terminal or TN3270 session.
— Standardized access point: Presents a consistent access point for all mainframe application users, allowing them to log on to multiple applications from a single screen
— Virtual terminal support: Simulates the existence of multiple physical terminals through the use of virtual terminals, removing any dependency from the application perspective
Flexibility: CA TPX is designed to provide the flexibility and mobility users need in their day-to-day interactions with mainframe applications. These features further increase the availability of application sessions and help increase productivity.
— Session retention: Maintains a user’s sessions to all connected applications even if a session between a physical terminal and CA TPX terminates allowing the subsequent restoration of sessions upon a user’s reconnection to CA TPX
— Session portability: Designed to allow transfer of all sessions to a different terminal without interruption
Administration: CA TPX facilitates the maintenance of session management and associated
application and user definitions. This reduces the burden placed on the administrator, particularly when managing large implementations.
— VTAM generic resource support: Multiple CA TPX instances work together within a parallel sysplex to provide a single application image. Running these instances as a VTAM generic resource allows VTAM and Workload Manager to balance session loads and helps reduce outages due to network or system loads.
— Global Operator: A Global Operator is provided to manage applications and users of all CA TPX instances from a single point of control. This enables commands and responses to be passed between CA TPX instances operating with the same generic resource name.
Advanced user options: CA TPX has a number of advanced optional components, many of
which extend CA TPX beyond the area of simply providing multiple application access.
— Mail option: The mail facility allows users to send messages to other CA TPX users. These messages can appear interactively or can be sent directly to a user’s mailbox for review.
— ACL/E option: Automated Conversation Language/Extended (ACL/E) Option is an advanced scripting language that can imitate repetitive keystroke sequences for automating logons and logoffs. ACL/E performs arithmetic and logical operations, defines and manipulates variables, and alters screen images.
Performance and usability options: CA TPX has a number of optional features for increased performance and usability.
— Data compression option: Allows 3270 data stream compression to be requested for both inbound and outbound data, which can greatly reduce the quantity of data transmitted over the network
— Pass-through printing option: Provides a facility to lift many printer restrictions, simplifying the administration of network printers and increasing network efficiency
Security: A session manager provides the primary access point for the majority of users
accessing mainframe-based applications. This necessitates a highly secure environment that grants only appropriate access.
— SAF-based security: Provides a SAF-based security solution that works with CA ACF2™, CA Top Secret®, and IBM’s RACF security products
— Single sign-on support: Provides system entry validation when used with CA TPX
— Dynamic session lists: Dynamically built application menus based on a user’s authority as defined by external security definitions
Delivery approach
CA Services provides a portfolio of mainframe services delivered through CA Technologies internal staff and a network of established partners chosen to help you achieve a successful deployment and get the desired business results as quickly as possible. Our standard service offerings are designed to speed deployment and accelerate the learning curve for your staff. CA Technologies field-proven mainframe best practices and training help you lower risk, improve use/adoption and ultimately align the product configuration to your business requirements.
Benefits
The CA Technologies advantage
CA Technologies has 30 years of recognized expertise in robust, reliable, scalable, and secure enterprise-class IT management software. CA TPX is a key component of the Mainframe 2.0 initiative from CA Technologies to change the way the mainframe is managed forever by helping you maximize the value of our mainframe products and by providing a simplified experience and innovative solutions that deliver value quickly and flexibly.
