Want to learn more about the new release of OMEGAMON Mainframe Networks

OMEGAMON Mainframe Networks V5.1 is becoming generally available.  If you want to learn more about what is in the new version, you may want to check out this webcast:   "Improved Network Monitoring with OMEGAMON for Mainframe Networks" 

Is network performance and availability important to your business? Can you quickly find and fix network problems before they become outages? IBM has redesigned OMEGAMON XE for Mainframe Networks based on customer requirements to provide significant new network visibility. The redesigned OMEGAMON XE for Mainframe Networks V5.1 helps subject matter experts resolve network issues across the enterprise using fewer screens and keystrokes.

The speaker is Kirk Bean, Tivoli System Automation Product Manager.  The date and time of the event is November 15, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

To sign up here's a link:
http://ibm.co/ODhjVn

Here it comes - OMEGAMON Mainframe Networks V5.1

Planned availability is tomorrow, October 26th.  With the availability of OMEGAMON Mainframe Networks V5.1, the OMEGAMON suite has achieved an important milestone:  all the core OMEGAMONs on z/OS now offer support for the the new enhanced 3270 user interface. 

As with the other OMEGAMONs, the new enhanced 3270 UI offers new function, improved navigation and integration, but with the speed of native 3270.

If you are interested in more information, here is a link to the announcement:
http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS212-429

Useful link on OMEGAMON maintenance and service levels

So, you're in the process of applying maintenance to OMEGAMON.  Or better yet, you are in the process of upgrading to V5.1.  Where is there an integrated page to get information on the latest maintenance and service levels? 

Try this URL:

https://www-304.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21290883#kc5420

New IBM System z blog

IBM has started a new blog site with a focus on System z.  IBM Mainframe Insights will be discussing many aspects of z/OS and the mainframe in general.

To check it out, here's the URL:
www.ibm.com/blogs/systemz

Troubleshooting OMEGAMON enhanced 3270 displays

You've logged on to the enhanced 3270 user interface and you see some displays that are mssing data.  What's next?  What are your trouble shooting steps? 

Here's a link to a a handy document that may help:
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21610269&myns=swgtiv&mynp=OCSS2JNN&mync=R

Important. Do not apply PTFs UA66217, UA66505, UA66218 and UA66506

PTFs UA66217, UA66505, UA66218 and UA66506 have been marked PE.  These PTFs can cause storage overlays and system outages.


APAR OA40497 has been created to fix this problem. This APAR has been marked HIPER and is the fix for the PE.

Please note - If you already have any of these ptfs applied, APAR OA40497 has zaps that can be applied to resolve the problems until the fixing PTF can be applied.

Here's a link to the note:
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21610372&myns=swgtiv&mynp=OCSS2JNN&mync=R

More OMEGAMON test drive events coming your way!

If you want a chance to take the new OMEGAMON enhanced 3270 user interface for a test drive, IBM will be having events in several cities in the next few weeks.

Here's the upcoming lineup of cities:

November 6, 2012

San Francisco
IBM Technical Exploration Center
425 Market Street
20th Floor - Room 380

November 8, 2012

Sacramento
IBM Sacramento Office
2710 S. Gateway Oaks Dr.
2nd Floor - Room 220

November 13, 2012

Costa Mesa
IBM Technical Exploration Center
600 Anton Blvd
2nd Floor - Room 208

November 15, 2012

Phoenix
IBM Technical Exploration Center
2929 N Central Avenue
5th Floor - Room 534

If you are interested in attending, please contact my colleague, Tony Anderson  (andersan@us.ibm.com or call (415) 545-2478)

Setting the threshold highlighting in the enhanced 3270 user interface

So you have just installed OMEGAMON V5.1 and you have logged onto the enhanced user interface for the first time.  You notice that there may be some fields on the various panels that are highlighted in RED, YELLOW or BLUE, for example.  This highlighting probably represents the default threshold levels provided by the tool.

The good news is it is easy to set the highlighting to levels more specific to your installation and your requirements.  For each of the products there is a default member provided that sets the default threshold levels  -  hilev.RKANPAR(kppTHRSH).   The pp refers to the specific product.  For example OMEGAMON z/OS is KM5THRSH,  OMEGAMON CICS is KCPTHRSH, and OMEGAMON DB2 is KDPTHRSH.

The following is an example of how the thresholds are set for the KM5TOPC panel.