The DB2 Heresy
by Hesh Wiener

IBM mainframe shops that use a relational DBMS prefer DB2 under z/OS, but it's not their only option. They can run a more generic version of DB2 under z/Linux or under Linux or AIX on Power, or under Windows on X64 iron. They can even run yet another DB2 variant on Power-based iron that is embedded inside i5/OS. In fact, users willing to think outside the z box can find plenty of DB2 servers that won't be suggested by mainframe peddlers; some of them can be cheaper than an all-z solution. In the glass cathedral, this idea is a heresy. Yet it can be a valuable heresy, the way an Amdahl coffee mug (or mainframe) used to be. READ MORE >

Top Mainframe Stories from Around the Web

(eWeek) Mixing a little new and a little old keeps the train on the tracks. Karen Shockley, the director of Amtrak's enterprise data centers, wrote this story about how the mainframe plays well with a mix of other server platforms. She's no magician, if that's what you're thinking. How'd she do it? You gotta read this to find out. READ MORE >

(The Toronto Star) Mainframe data tape? What mainframe data tape? Oh, the backup tape with the personal information of thousands of Canadian auto customers. You had to ask, didn't you? Chrysler Financial sent it from Farmington Hills, Michigan, to a Quebec, Canada, credit agency when it disappeared in early March. Embarrassing? Yes. Costly? That hasn't been tabulated yet, but what do you think? READ MORE >

(The Register) It could be unfair competition or it could be patent infringement. Those are the two sides of the coin as seen by Platform Solutions and IBM. Each has filed a lawsuit against the other and the lawyers are working overtime. Then, last week, it was reported that the European Union might be preparing an antitrust review of IBM. No formal investigation has been announced. READ MORE >

Chats, Webinars, Seminars, Shows, and Other Happenings

See our full calendar of events at
http://www.itjungle.com/big/big-calendar.html

May 18-22 -- Orlando, Florida -- Users of IBM's Tivoli Maximo and Netcool software have their own conference dedicated to integrating the silo environments that are prevalent in many data centers and improving service management. Included in the event will be presentations by more than 100 customers and business partners and one-on-one meetings with IBM executives, industry experts and analysts. LEARN MORE >

June 4-6 -- Chicago, Illinois - The IBM Energy Efficiency Initiative takes center stage at the "See Blue, Think Green Technical Conference that brings together technical experts and business leaders. Sessions will concentrate on best practices in energy efficiency, innovative power and cooling technologies, and eco-friendly asset disposal services. There will also be technical sessions and hands on labs featuring IBM's most recent System announcements (including Power Systems, Mainframe Systems, Storage System, and Modular Systems) to present platform-specific topics. LEARN MORE >

August 10-15 -- San Jose, California - Service oriented architectures and the "SOA journey" as well as server virtualization and the benefits that big iron provides in terms of efficiency and reducing energy consumption are the key topics that will be discussed at the next SHARE user group meeting and expo, held in the heart of Silicon Valley. LEARN MORE >