CA CMDB Connector
for z/OS version 2.0
CA CMDB Connector for z/OS is the final piece in the puzzle to create
an enterprise CMDB, providing you the ability to implement asset
and configuration management.
Business Value
CA CMDB Connector for z/OS provides discovery of mainframe-specific resources. It can be fully automated to discover configuration items (CIs) and populate the configuration database (CMDB). Federation of data is also provided, allowing additional information about a particular CI to reside on the mainframe so that extended configuration data can be viewed from standard facilities.
Overview
CA CMDB Connector for z/OS discovers mainframe CIs and enables population of that
information into the CMDB repository. This product provides a comprehensive and accurate view of mainframe CIs that can help enable the management of a full range of tasks associated with change, incident/problem, and other IT service management disciplines. It features an intuitive web-based interface which does not require you to be a CMDB or mainframe expert to
successfully incorporate mainframe CIs into your CMDB.
Features
CA CMDB Connector for z/OS supports the ITIL
®framework that includes
distributed and mainframe resources.
CA CMDB Connector for z/OS is designed to discover (or rediscover) mainframe CIs for inclusion into an organization’s CMDB, providing a more comprehensive and accurate picture of the infrastructure. CI discovery is simple and flexible, and reduces complexity by letting you manage more with no additional headcount, and without requiring extensive training or knowledge.
CA CMDB Connector for z/OS completes the view of CIs within an enterprise that are required to manage a full range of tasks associated with change, incident/problem, and other IT service management disciplines. Its automation speeds operational effectiveness to save time and resources, and to provide for data accuracy.
Key Capabilities
Discovery of mainframe assets. IT organizations can now discover specific mainframe CIs for inclusion into your CMDB. These resources include processor complex, LPAR and operating system, address spaces (jobs and started tasks, CA IDMS™ subsystems, CA Datacom®subsystems, DB2 subsystems, CICS regions, IMS subsystems, MQ subsystems, tapes, and DASDs.
Discovery update. CA CMDB Connector for z/OS can be used regularly as an audit tool in order to help reconcile new or changed CIs.
CMDB Population. Population of CA CMDB is accomplished using standard utilities provided with CA CMDB such as the GRLoader utility. CA CMDB Connector for z/OS also allows CIs to be exported as TSV (tab-separated values) files for consumption by other CMDBs.
Visualization. With CA CMDB Visualizer, you can view mainframe resources to help improve understanding of relationships and dependencies across mainframe and distributed
+
+
FIGURE A.
CA CMDB Visualizer
Display relationships among CIs, helping to mitigate potential problems by allowing you to quickly and easily see the impact of a proposed change before it occurs.
+
+
Federation. A launch button is provided in CA CMDB to provide additional information about mainframe resources. This helps IT organizations in their understanding of the mainframe resources without additional data being stored in CA CMDB.
+
+
FIGURE B.
Federation from CA CMDB
New with Version 2.0
Discovery Filters. Allows the user to limit the number of objects discovered
Mapping of CI classes. Allows the customer to define new Family/Class names to better identify CIs in the context of their organization
Discovery of CA Endevor® Software Change Manager. A new discovery method focused on in-depth discovery of CA Endevor Software Change Manager Elements and their relationship to customer defined Endevor Types.
Enhanced database discovery. Now discovers DB2 tables and table spaces
Enhanced MQ Series discovery. Local Queue discovery has been split into the following definition types which can be included or excluded from discovery via filtering:
— Predefined
— Permanent Dynamic
— Temporary Dynamic
— Shared Dynamic
Enhanced IMS discovery. Now includes Areas, Programs and Transactions (requires SYSVIEW real-time performance)
Enhanced CICS discovery. Now discovers CICS instances executing in batch Enhanced CPC discovery. Now includes SYSPLEX
Enhanced devices discovery. Now includes channel attached consoles
Support for additional CMDB implementations. Mainframe CIs discovered by CMDB Connector can now be exported to other CMDB implementations
Mainframe 2.0
CA CMDB Connector for z/OS has adopted key Mainframe 2.0 features that are designed to simplify your use of CA CMDB Connector for z/OS and enable your staff to install, deploy and maintain the product more effectively and quickly.
CA Mainframe Software Manager. The CA Mainframe Software Manager (CA MSM) automates CA CMDB Connector for z/OSinstallation, deployment and maintenance, and removes SMP/E complexities.
Installation Verification Program (IVP) and Execution Verification Program (EVP). CA CMDB Connector for z/OS has passed stringent tests performed through the IVP and EVP to find and resolve interoperability problems prior to release.
Best Practices Guide. This guide provides information on the installation and initial configuration CA CMDB Connector for z/OS to shorten the learning curve for staff that are responsible for the installation and management of this product.
Health Checker. The Mainframe 2.0 Health Checker provides CA CMDB Connector for z/OS checks that execute under the IBM Health Checker for z/OS. Health checks are designed to help:
— Improve product availability by eliminating outages due to configuration option errors
— Provide that critical features are functional and operational Provide that the product is configured for optimal operational efficiency.
Delivery approach
CA CMDB Connector for z/OS expands on the mainframe management leadership of
Benefits
CA CMDB offers a comprehensive view of IT service configurations, including mainframe, internal systems, supply chain providers, and customers. By delivering accurate information about the relationships of CIs with the business services they support, CA CMDB streamlines management processes, expedites problem identification and resolution, reduces operational risks, and helps IT organizations fulfill the critical service commitments the business needs to run more effectively. CA CMDB Connector for z/OS helps complete the picture, adding the mainframe information needed to see the enterprise more holistically.
The CA Technologies advantage
CA Technologies has 30 years of recognized expertise in robust, reliable, scalable, and secure enterprise-class IT management software. CA CMDB Connector for z/OS 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 CA Technologies mainframe products and by providing a simplified experience and innovative solutions that deliver value quickly and flexibly.
Unified Service Model
CA CMDB is the core of CA Technologies Unified Service Model, which provides a complete 360-degree view into the IT services delivered to the business. The Unified Service Model not only includes asset and relationship details, but also service levels, prices, costs, quality, risks and exposures, consumers, and more; this can help you make the most efficient use of your assets and resources.
Integrated with CA Service Desk Manager
Services to Maximize Configuration Management
CA Services and our partners can help you assess your current IT situation, define your goals, and implement solutions to gain measurable results. To keep your CA solutions operating at peak performance, CA Support delivers unparalleled technical and customer support worldwide, and CA Education offers training and certification.
