Release notes for Model 204 version 7.6

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These release notes list the enhancements and other changes contained in Model 204 version 7.6.

Note: Version 7.6 is a limited (not generally available) release of the product.

******THIS IS A DRAFT DOCUMENT.******

Overview

These release notes contain installation and features information for the Rocket Model 204 version 7.6 release. Before beginning your installation, please read through this information about product installation and changes.

New in this release

This section summarizes the highlights of Model 204 version 7.6. For a full list of features, refer to the Table of Contents.

Category Feature
SOUL (User Language)
Performance
Fast/Unload
  • Fast/Unload HPO (High Performance Option) is a new Model 204 V7.6 add-on feature that activates zIIP processing for Fast/Unload.
  • Fast/Unload SOUL Interface (FUSI), purchased as a separate Fast/Unload option, allows you to invoke Fast/Unload from a SOUL program.
  • Fast/Unload is no longer loaded as a separate load module. See Notes for system manager and installer.
Janus products
  • New SCREENTHROW setting for Janus Web ports to improve error handling for Janus Web Legacy applications
  • Janus Web Server support for HTTP 1.1 chunked encoding
  • Web class as a container for Janus Web Server specific methods
  • IPV6 support for Janus TCP/IP Base
Debugging and testing
  • The "Sirius Debugger" product name is changed to "TN3270 Debugger." A synonym, TN3270 DEBUG, is now available for the SIRIUS DEBUG command and all its subcommands.

Operating system and hardware requirements

Operating system requirements

  • IBM z/OS
    • Versions supported: z/OS version 1.07 through 2.1.
    • Version 1.07 is sufficient for all functionality except for the following features:

      • zHPF support requires version 2.1.
      • Large (1 MB) page support requires version 1.9.
      • Extended address volumes (EAV) requires version 1.12.

    On z/OS, Model 204 release 7.6 operates as an APF authorized load module, as required by many 7.6 features.
    To run Model 204 unauthorized, contact Technical Support.

  • IBM z/VM
    • Versions supported: z/VM version 5.4 through 6.3.
  • IBM z/VSE
    • Versions supported: z/VSE version 5.1 and 5.2.

Hardware requirements

In general, Model 204 version 7.6 requires the IBM z/890 or above processor.

However, the IBM z10 or above processor is required for the following features:

  • large (1 MB) page support
  • IBM's High Performance FICON (zHPF) support

Model 204 compatibility with operating systems

For information on Model 204 certification with IBM operating systems, see: http://www.rocketsoftware.com/products/rocket-model-204/technical-information

Connect* compatibility with Model 204

Connect version 7.6 is compatible with all versions of Model 204.

For more information on Connect installation, see the Connect wiki pages. See also Connect enhancements.

SOUL enhancements

New and changed SOUL statements

The Private keyword has been added to Class declarations, and Friend declarations have been added to Class blocks.

New and changed classes and methods

The LabeledArrayList (or TaggedArrayList) class is to be added.

Json class

The Json class has been created to facilitate exchange of data with other platforms using the JSON format. This class contains a large number of methods and also adds three new exception classes: InvalidJsonType, JsonCircularReference, and JsonParseError, and one new enumeration: JsonType. In addition, the JsonParse function was added to the Unicode intrinsic class.

Web class

The Web class has been created as a container for Janus Web Server specific methods. This class contains two new methods: ScreenInputCallback and ScreenOutputCallback. There is also an associated new system type: WebScreenCallback and a new WebScreenException exception class.

"SSL" String methods

These new methods are added:

MethodDescription
AES128CBCdecryptAES 128-bit key decryption
AES128CBCencryptAES 128-bit key decryption
AES128decryptAES 128-bit key decryption
AES128encryptAES 128-bit key decryption
AES192CBCdecryptAES 192-bit key CBC decryption
AES192CBCencryptAES 192-bit key CBC decryption
AES192decryptAES 192-bit key decryption
AES192encryptAES 192-bit key decryption
AES256CBCdecryptAES 256-bit key CBC decryption
AES256CBCencryptAES 256-bit key CBC decryption
AES256decryptAES 256-bit key decryption
AES256encryptAES 256-bit key decryption
DEA128CBCdecryptDEA 128-bit key decryption
DEA128CBCencryptDEA 128-bit key decryption
DEA128decryptDEA 128-bit key decryption
DEA128encryptDEA 128-bit key decryption
DEA192CBCdecryptDEA 192-bit key CBC decryption
DEA192CBCencryptDEA 192-bit key CBC decryption
DEA192decryptDEA 192-bit key decryption
DEA192encryptDEA 192-bit key decryption
DEA64CBCdecryptDEA 64-bit key CBC decryption
DEA64CBCencryptDEA 64-bit key CBC decryption
DEA64decryptDEA 64-bit key decryption
DEA64encryptDEA 64-bit key decryption
SHA224digest224-bit SHA-2 digest
SHA256digest256-bit SHA-2 digest

Utf8ToUnicode and Utf16ToUnicode string methods

The Utf8ToUnicode and Utf16ToUnicode String methods can now handle values that cannot be translated into EBCDIC. The AllowUntranslatable argument, now available for general use and True by default, specifies that such values will be stored into the target Unicode string rather than producing an exception.

Janus Web Server enhancements

Chunked encoding support

Janus Web support for HTTP 1.1 chunked encoding is added. The V7.6 Janus Web Server handles inbound chunked HTTP requests, but it does not send chunked output because it always knows the exact length of the entire response.

For more information about chunked encoding, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chunked_transfer_encoding.

SCREENTHROW setting for Janus Web Legacy

The new SCREENTHROW setting for Janus Web ports allows Janus Web Legacy applications to trap client errors rather than deferring to the default Janus Web Legacy support error handling behavior.

Fast/Unload enhancements

Fast/Unload HPO

Fast/Unload HPO (High Performance Option) is a new Model 204 V7.6 add-on feature that activates zIIP processing for Fast/Unload. Requires setting the FUNMTASK parameter.

FUSI - new product name for SOUL access to Fast/Unload

The Fast/Unload SOUL Interface (FUSI), purchased as a separate Fast/Unload option, allows you to invoke Fast/Unload from a SOUL program.

Further information TBD, including IODEV 25 threads, FUNPGM obsolete, etc.

Change to Fast/Unload installation

Fast/Unload is no longer loaded as a separate load module. See Notes for system manager and installer.

System management enhancements

Model 204 version number added to SMF records

A one byte, hexadecimal representation of the Model 204 version number has been added to both SMF records (logout and since-last) at offset X'39'. For V760, the value is X'4C' = 76 decimal.

Performance enhancements

Massive zIIP offload

The approach to zIIP (IBM System z Integrated Information Processor) support in Model 204 prior to version 7.6 is to offload to zIIP only certain eligible code safe for execution on the zIIP engine. The V7.6 improvements to the zIIP offload make most of the Model 204 code zIIP tolerant: almost all MP-capable code (Model 204 code that may run on an MP subtask) is offloaded to zIIP. Code that cannot be executed on zIIP uses the MP subtask or a maintask.

Note: While a limited version of this capability is available to all customers, the fully improved zIIP support requires an additional license. For more information, contact Rocket Software.

This feature is for z/OS systems only. As previously, specifying a nonzero value for the NMPSUBZ parameter activates zIIP processing.

User-written $functions and zIIPs

Instead of having to indicate what code should run on zIIP, it is only necessary now to indicate what Assembler code may not run on zIIP. Customers planning to use zIIP processing must do either of these:

  • Inspect any user-written $functions for non-tolerant code (code that uses an SVC instruction or system services that may use SVC, like BSAM, VTAM, task-mode z/OS macros), which must be bracketed with SRBMODE OFF and SRBMODE ON.
  • Specify MP=NO (the default) or no MP setting at all in the function table to cause $functions to run on a maintask. Any other value for MP enables $functions to run on zIIP subtasks.

It is not always obvious if code may or may not run on a zIIP subtask. Even if all explicit SVCs and non-task-mode system macros issued by Model 204 have been identified and bracketed, some may be issued implicitly by z/OS or other services, so user testing is important.

Parameter changes for zIIP usage

The following are V7.6 changes to the documented recommendations for the parameters that initiate and control Model 204 zIIP processing:

  • Parameter ZQMAX is deprecated. If you have specified a value for ZQMAX, it is now ignored.
  • X'01' becomes the default value of the SIRFUNC parameter.

    The X'01' bit of SIRFUNC must be set (explicitly or as the default value) for zIIP processing or the run is cancelled.

  • The XMEMOPT X'02' bit was not documented as necessary for zIIPs. It is necessary as of V7.6.
  • It is now strongly recommended that customers running MP/204 not set the X'40' bit of the SCHDOPT parameter as MP subtasks will no longer steal work from zIIP SRBs unless they seem overloaded, in which case one would probably not want the SCHDOPT X'40' bit to prevent MP subtasks from helping out.

Fast/Unload HPO

Fast/Unload HPO (High Performance Option) is a new product that activates zIIP processing for Fast/Unload.

64-bit addressing and Above The Bar (ATB) storage

Storage above the (2G) bar increases scalability, performance, and growth potential. 64-bit addressing is the de facto standard for Model 204.

  • ATB support for FTBL was released with Model 204 version 7.4.
  • ATB support for GTBL, NTBL, and QTBL was released with Model 204 version 7.5.
  • ATB support for STBL and VTBL is added in Model 204 version 7.6.

When using non-swappable ATB server space, each user gets SERVNSSZ bytes of ATB space, even if the thread is logged out or running resident requests. For greater efficiency, Model 204 also provides swappable ATB server areas that can supplement or replace the non-swappable areas. These swappable ATB server areas are controlled by the SERVGA and SERVGSZ parameters.

As more features use ATB buffers, it is a good idea to reevaluate your ATB and BTB buffer usage.

STBL and VTBL in above the bar storage

STBL, VTBL, and several other tables can now be placed into swappable or non-swappable server storage area above the bar.

In order to store a table in ATB storage:

  • Increase the SERVNSSZ parameter by the corresponding table size.
  • Set the proper bit in SERVNSA.

Note: The settings for each server table above the bar are independent of each other.

TBO buffers, the Procedure dictionary, and Longstrings

64-bit addressing support for TBO buffers, the Procedure dictionary, and Longstrings will be new in version 7.6.

High Performance FICON (zHPF)

Model 204 version 7.6 supports IBM's High Performance FICON (zHPF) feature, which allows faster I/O by limiting number of interactions between the channel and the device.

Required hardware and software:

  • CPU: z10 and higher
  • z/OS version: 2.01
  • Disk subsystem: Contact your IT department to verify that your disk subsystem has the zHPF feature available and activated.
  • zHPF is not supported on z/CMS, z/VSE, or z/OS running under z/VM.

The new ZHPF command displays zHPF capabilities for each data set in a currently opened file.

Journal and checkpoint processing enhancements

New journal and checkpoint write PSTs (pseudo subtasks) are invoked by the SYSOPT2 parameter.

A dual mode of operation (with and without write PSTs) is available: if the new PSTs are not created (for any reason), the journal and checkpoint processing continues as it does in version 7.5 of Model 204.

The NSUBTKS parameter is also crucial: If SYSOPT2 indicates new PSTs but NSUBTKS is too low, the Online will not come up.

Support for OI CHUNK fields in field groups

The CHUNK attribute for DEFINE FIELD was introduced in Model 204 version 7.5 to improve the efficiency of range finds using Ordered Index (OI) processing. The CHUNK attribute can now be specified for fields in a field group.

Debugging and testing enhancements

Unicode linefeed now causes line break on print

Printing or auditing a unicode string that contains a unicode linefeed character (u+000a) will now cause a new line to be started on the output device, rather than displaying the 
 value. This should make it much easier to look at unicode strings that contain formatting linefeeds. This feature works for any display-oriented statements such as Print, Audit, Trace, PrintText, AuditText, TraceText, Text, and so on.

SoftSpy

As of version 7.5, the code for SoftSpy, the debugging, testing, and performance-tuning product, has been included in the Model 204 nucleus, significantly simplifying SoftSpy installation. SoftSpy remains a separately licensed Model 204 add-on product.

For more information about SoftSpy version 7.6, see the SoftSpy 7.6 release notes.

Janus/TN3270 Debugger

  • Product name change.

    The "Sirius Debugger" product name is changed to "TN3270 Debugger."

  • New Debugger version.

    The latest Janus and TN3270 Debuggers and Client build (63) support Model 204 V7.6. New Debugger features are described in Debugger Client Beta documentation as well as in the Client online Help and the Debugger PDF guide.

  • Synonym for SIRIUS DEBUG command.

    A synonym, TN3270 DEBUG, is made available for the SIRIUS DEBUG command and all its subcommands.

Connect enhancements

The 7.6 version of Connect for JDBC, Connect for .NET, and Connect for ODBC is now available.
For more information on Connect installation, see the Connect* Suite Installation and Programming Guide.

Each Connect interface contains the latest fixes and enhancements and is compatible with Model 204 version 7.6.

Compatibility issues

Unicode linefeed now causes line break on print

Printing or auditing a Unicode string that contains a Unicode linefeed character (u+000a) will now cause a new line to be started on the output device, rather than displaying the 
 value. This should make it much easier to look at Unicode strings that contain formatting linefeeds. This feature works for any display-oriented statements such as Print, Audit, Trace, PrintText, AuditText, TraceText, Text, and so on.

While this feature is likely to make it much easier to examine Unicode strings, in theory it could cause a backward-compatbility problem for applications that parse the results of a Print of Unicode data, expecting the 
 values to be present.

New and changed commands

SWITCH STREAM (new parameter: RESET)

The SWITCH STREAM command has added an optional RESET parameter that will cause any disabled parallel GDG members to be reopened during the switch. RESET is valid only for a CCAJLOG stream specified as a Parallel GDG.

TN3270 DEBUG (new synonym for SIRIUS DEBUG)

TN3270 DEBUG is now available as a synonym for the SIRIUS DEBUG command and all its subcommands.

ZHPF (new)

The ZHPF command displays zHPF capabilities for each data set for a currently opened file.

Displayed value Meaning
Supported: YES zHPF-type I/O (called "transport mode I/O") can be used for the data set.
Supported: NO Hardware or z/OS support for zHPF functionality is insufficient (for example, when z/OS runs under VM).
Supported: N/A zHPF support is not available at all on z/OS or on the hardware level.

New and changed parameters

CFROPTS (new)

The new CFROPTS system parameter makes it possible to request that Model 204 use strict fair share enqueuing for critical file resource lock conflicts.

DSPOPT (new setting: X'04')

The new X'04' setting for the DSPOPT parameter uses compression for 64-bit in-storage server swapping.

FUNMTASK (new)

The new FUNMTASK parameter specifies whether Fast/Unload Soul Interface (FUSI) requests are to be executed on a z/OS subtask or on one of these: the Model 204 maintask, an MP/204 subtask, or the zIIP support SRB.

FUNPGM (obsolete)

The FUNPGM parameter is now obsolete, because the Fast/Unload CSECTs are all linked with the Online and the Fast/Unload load module is no longer loaded as a separate load module.

MAXOND (new)

The new MAXOND parameter defines the number of times an ON unit can be entered before the evaluation is terminated.

RCVOPT (new setting: X'20')

The X'20' bit of the RCVOPT parameter prevents the flushing of dirty pages for a file that does not do pre-imaging (FRCVOPT X'20' set) during a subtransaction checkpoint.

SERVACTG (new)

The SERVACTG parameter shows the swappable size, in bytes, of the ATB server area being used by the current user.

SERVACTV (new)

The SERVACTV parameter shows the swappable size, in bytes, of the BTB server area being used by the current user.

SERVGA (new settings)

The SERVGA parameter now has settings to allocate additional server tables in the ATB swappable-server area.

SERVNSA (new settings)

The SERVNSA parameter now has settings to allocate additional server tables in the ATB non-swappable-server area.

VTLAPSY (newly documented)

The VTLAPSY parameter, previously undocumented, indicates the name of an APSY subsystem used to provide full-screen login support for IODEV=7 terminals (3270-type).

Notes for system manager and installer

Fast/Unload and FUNPGM

In version 7.6 (of Model 204 and of Fast/Unload), the Fast/Unload CSECTs are all linked with the Online. This change was made primarily to enable use of zIIPs with Fast/Unload. The main implication of this change is that the FUNPGM parameter is now obsolete, because Fast/Unload is not loaded as a separate load module.

Documentation conversion to wiki format

Rocket Model 204 documentation is being converted from individual manuals in PDF format to a set of cross-linked HTML articles in this integrated wiki, M204wiki.

As of Model 204 release 7.6, most manuals are now in wiki format. The rest remain in PDF format, available in the M204 folder of the Rocket Software Documentation Library.

For details, see Model 204 documentation.

New and updated messages

See New and updated messages in Model 204 version 7.6 for details.