What's new

This page contains recent and forthcoming additions of note to Model 204 documentation.

RKTools Version 7.7

RKTools 7.7 is commercially available in July, 2017.

The main features in this release are summarized below and described in greater detail in the Release notes for RKTools V7.7.

Web interface

New in version 7.7 is RKWeb, an easy-to-use web interface for managing the entire Model 204 environment. The RKWeb tools framework provides a highly productive web interface to common Model 204 functionality.

RKWeb is mobile-ready and provides a task-based UI for SOUL application development. Using RKWeb utilities, you can:

• Build applications
• Manage SOUL code, passwords, groups, and SSL Certificates
• Monitor performance

RKWeb also includes a journal scanner, command interface, and readers for SirTune reports and SirFact dumps.

Ease of installation

As of version 7.7, all code for all Rocket-provided, SOUL-based products and utilities resides in the M204PROC file. This includes all the Dictionary/204 components (SUBSYSMGMT, FILEMGMT, etc.), all the SQL Server support code, and all code for the former UL/SPF products such as SirPro, SirMon, and SirScan.

Security

In version 7.7, JANSSL (Janus Network Security) is integrated with the other components in the RKWeb interface. Its operation is the same as before, and it is available without RKWeb from a Janus port as before.

V7.7 JANSSL also includes support for SHA2 SSL Certificates, including SHA384.

Integration of Dictionary/204

As of version 7.7, Dictionary/204 is integrated into RKTools, and it is accessible through both the RKTools and RKWeb interfaces, as well as from the Model 204 command line as before.

SQL Server utilities

As of RKTools 7.7, the RKWeb interface makes available the SQL Server Table Specification facility (TSF) and the catalog reporting utility (CCACATREPT).

Downloading instructions

To download RKTools version 7.7:

1. Navigate to the SOUL files for Rocket Software page.
2. Provide security credentials when prompted.
3. Locate the RKTools V7.7 link and click its Download procfile link.

Janus/TN3270 Debugger Build 66 and 67

On July 5, 2017, Build 67 of the Janus/TN3270 Debugger Client was released. On April 3, 2017, Build 66 was released.

When Build 66 is used with Model 204 version 7.7, you can configure automatic creation of a new Client log file on a daily basis to prevent excessive growth of the log. You can also turn logging off.

Build 67 lets you specify how many days worth of previous Client logs to retain. The new daily log is always named log.txt; the names of previous daily logs include their creation dates.

Build 67 also lets you relocate and optionally rename the installed default locations of the Debugger Client Help file, its PDF-file representation, or both.

See the Debugger User's Guide for details (Builds 66 and 67 in the "Release Notes" chapter).

Model 204 Version 7.7

Model 204 7.7 is commercially available in January, 2017.

The main features in this release are summarized below and described in greater detail in the Release notes for Model 204 version 7.7.

Category	Feature
Performance	Continued expansion of 64-bit addressability. See Elimination of BTB buffers. Greater zIIP processor availability: M204 HPO and Fast/Unload HPO. See zIIP exploitation. zIIP load tuning. See MPDELAYZ, SCHDOFLS, SCHDOPT. Essential removal of application limits on the number of images, screens, and menus. Support for large data sets (as many as 16 million tracks) for the Model 204 Checkpoint facility CHKPOINT or CHKPNTS data sets. See ROLL BACK processing, Pass 2.
Security	Stronger cryptographic algorithms: SHA-384, SHA-512. See "SSL" String methods, New DigestAlgorithm values, and New default certificate-signing algorithm. Longer RSA keys (as many as 4096 bits). See Janus Network Security ciphers and private keys. Support for longer and mixed-case login passwords.
Add-on enhancements	A more versatile Fast/Unload through integration with Model 204. Janus products' support for the IPV6 network protocol, expanding the network address space from 32 to 128 bits.

Fast/Unload Version 7.7

Highlights of this version include the integration of Fast/Unload with the Model 204 Online load module, the broader availability of zIIP exploitation, and the change of the product version number to match the version number of Model 204.

The main features in this release (January, 2017) are described in the Release notes for Model 204 version 7.7.

Janus/TN3270 Debugger Build 65

On September 1 2016, Build 65 of the Janus/TN3270 Debugger Client was released.

When Build 65 is used with Model 204 version 7.7, you can force Debugger Clients to have at least a minimum build number in order to invoke a debugging session with your Online. The new Model 204 system parameter MINDEBCL sets such a minimum.

If you set MINDEBCL to a positive value, use a version of the Debugger Client whose build number is less than MINDEBCL, and invoke a debugging session, the debugging session is rejected.

Please consult the Debugger User's Guide for details (see Build 65 in the "Release Notes" chapter).

DROWN security threat to Janus SSL ports

Janus Network Security customers should be aware of a security threat known as the "DROWN attack" (https://drownattack.com/). The DROWN threat exploits a security vulnerability of network SSL ports that use SSL V2.

See the DROWN security threat page for recommendations for responding to this threat.

Model 204 Version 7.6 and RKTools Version 7.5

Rocket Software is pleased to announce the commercial availability (January, 2016) of two new releases: Model 204 version 7.6 and RKTools version 7.5.

Release notes

The main features in these releases of Model 204 and RKTools are summarized on this page and described in greater detail in the Release notes for Model 204 version 7.6 and the Release notes for RKTools V7.5.

Model 204 version 7.6

Model 204 version 7.6 has added new features and functionality to provide continuous growth and expansion of your Model 204 investment.

New performance features

64-bit storage	This release continues the 64-bit enablement of the Model 204 infrastructure begun in version 7.4. By moving Model 204 "above the bar," scalability, performance, and growth are limited only by the system architecture and memory. As of version 7.6, STBL, VTBL, and several other tables can now be placed into swappable or non-swappable server storage area above the bar. (This is in addition to FTBL, GTBL, NTBL, and QTBL, moved above the bar in previous releases.) Note that using above-the-bar storage could bring new challenges to customers who have written assembly language functions for use within Model 204. Rocket Software provides a set of service offerings to help accommodate your upgrade and conversion needs. Contact Rocket Software for details.
M204 HPO (IBM z/OS systems only)	Release 7.6 enhances zIIP (IBM System z Integrated Information Processor) support by making most of the Model 204 code zIIP tolerant. M204 HPO (High Performance Option) offloads to zIIP almost all MP-capable code (Model 204 code that can run on an MP subtask). Code that cannot be executed on zIIP uses the MP subtask or a maintask. Note: While a limited version of zIIP offloading is freely and implicitly available to all customers, the HPO zIIP support requires an additional license. For more information, contact Rocket Software.
Fast/Unload HPO	Fast/Unload invoked by the Fast/Unload Soul Interface can take advantage of zIIP processing at sites that purchase licenses for both the add-on feature Fast/Unload HPO (High Performance Option) and the M204 HPO add-on.
High Performance FICON (zHPF)	Model 204 version 7.6 supports IBM's High Performance FICON (zHPF) feature (for z/OS systems 2.01 and higher), which allows faster I/O by limiting the number of interactions between the channel and the device.

SOUL enhancements

Additional enhancements have been made to SOUL (formerly User Language), including:

• Json class, for exchanging data with other platforms using the JSON format.
• Private keyword for Class declarations.
• Friend declarations for Class blocks.
• New "SSL" string methods.

RKTools version 7.5

The first version of RKTools is now available. Formerly known as UL/SPF, these utilities now provide advanced features to enhance programmer productivity, encourage the use of Soul OO programming constructs, assist in debugging and problem analysis, and help increase Model 204 availability. The product release notes introduce its new features.

Note: RKTools 7.5 requires Model 204 7.5 or higher.

SirScan, SirMon, and SirLib

Highlights of this release include the following features:

• SirScan now has higher scan limits, along with a new bookmarking feature and a more complete web implementation.
• SirMon provides a greatly improved web interface.
• SirLib change management enhancements include longer project names, a much faster change-application engine, and improved integration with the programmer tools in SirPro.

SirPro

SirPro is extensively enhanced for Version 7.5:

• It now allows most procedure-filtering operations from the SirPro command line.
• It includes SoulEdit, an entirely new Model 204 editor with hundreds of improvements over the traditional Model 204 editor, such as:
  • Advanced block commands
  • Sophisticated help
  • Integrated Xcompare
  • User-extensible macro development
  • Integrated procedure backup
  • A user-controllable profile
  For details, view the SoulEdit page, which also links to an introductory video.