A New 5250 Interface in V5R2 for Those on the Go
by Becky Schmieding

It's 9 p.m., the phone rings, and your boss asks if you could check on a program that's running and access some sales data. You've left your notebook PC at the office and your home PC doesn't have iSeries Access for Windows loaded, so what do you do? You can access your iSeries from your home PC by using the new 5250 interface available in V5R2 iSeries Access for Web. READ MORE >

iASPs Provide Storage Options With V5R2
by David Morris

Any iSeries system administrator who manages lots of disk capacity, multiple systems, or multiple environments will want to become familiar with the independent auxiliary storage pool (iASP) enhancements provided with V5R2. Why would I say that and what possible benefits are there? Well, an iASP allows you to move storage between systems, swap in alternative data or programs for testing or other purposes, and perform upgrades without an IPL or significant downtime. READ MORE >

IPv6: Internet Protocol of the Future, Currently in V5R2
by Rian Lemmer and Kris Ryan

IPv6 is the newest version of Internet Protocol, created to overcome the limitations of IPv4 and replace it as the new standard. On its way to that lofty goal, it expands IP address space, automates tasks, and addresses issues related to security, mobility, and quality of service. V5R2 sets the table for the application of these enhancements on the iSeries. Be prepared for what's to come by reading on. READ MORE >

V5R2 Opens the Door Wider for Windows
by Jeff Van Heuklon

You may have already heard that the iSeries Client Access family of products has been renamed iSeries Access for Windows in V5R2. iSeries Access for Web and WebSphere Host Publisher have gotten much of the attention for the release because they are new products that give customers a new way of doing things. But the iSeries Access for Windows (formerly Client Access Express) has significant new function in this release also. READ MORE >

Get Ready to Boost Your IFS Performance with V5R2
by Jeff Parker

Could you make use of performance upgrades in directory-related functions? Of course you can. And with the new "plumbing" for the Integrated File System (IFS), V5R2 makes previous file systems operations seem primitive by comparison. For instance, restoring new directories, copying a directory tree, or installing software should show dramatic improvement. And it gets better: Your IFS should be more reliable, have more function, and may consume less space than it did before. READ MORE >

New Statistics Optimize V5R2 Database Performance
by David Morris

One of the not readily apparent features of V5R2 is a new query optimizer that uses file statistics gathered in a background process to improve SQL performance. Initially, use of those statistics by a rewritten query optimizer is limited. In most cases, the old query uses the optimizer that existed on releases before V5R2. However, IBM is phasing in use of the file statistics and new query optimizer on subsequent releases and possibly through PTFs. READ MORE >

Reader Feedback and Insights

We value your feedback and your insights into the OS/400 market. Feel free to drop us a letter to the editor and we will post them in a reader feedback column associated with this newsletter. READ MORE >