Conference rdgeng::cics_technical

188.0. "CICS V2.1B shipping soon" by RDGENG::SMITHI () Tue Apr 29 1997 17:27

		CICS for Digital UNIX V2.1B


CICS for Digital UNIX V2.1B is now in its final stages of testing.
The kit will be released on the July Layered Product CD.

CICS V2.1B runs on Digital UNIX V4.0A (and later V4.0n releases).

New features in this release include
	support for UNIX V4 and products layered on V4
	Year 2000 conformance
	higher performance 'cicstermu' ASCII Client
	support for transactions written in C++
	new EXEC CICS SIGNON/SIGNOFF for mainframe compatibility
	improved performance for terminal autoinstall

The epi3270 server currently shipping in CICS for Digital UNIX V2.1B
will be withdrawn at the next release.  Support will continue for
existing epi3270 users, but no new users will be supported. 
The epi3270 server supports 'real' 3270s connected through a Domain
Gateway. Since most 3270-like terminals are actually PCs emulating
3270s, better performance and capability can be achieved using
alternative clients.  Choices open to new "3270 compatible" users
include 
 - use IBM's Client for PCs or equivalent user written EPI client
 - use IP from the 3270 into cicsteld
 - access the CICS for Digital UNIX region via a mainframe TOR.
Clearly a more efficient approach is to replace the old 3270 orientated 
BMS interface with a ECI based GUI client (including the option to use 
the Java gateway from the internet/intranet).

Testing of the File Control on Oracle feature continues.  This feature 
will be released in CICS for Digital UNIX V2.2 later this summer.  


A draft SPD is attached.

 



  DRAFT  DRAFT      Software Product Description      DRAFT  DRAFT


___________________________________________________________________

PRODUCT NAME:  CICS for Digital UNIX, Version 2.1B     SPD 54.64.04

DESCRIPTION

CICS for Digital UNIX is an on-line transaction processing (OLTP) mon-
itor. It is a port of IBM's CICS for AIX product and provides all the
key features of the IBM Customer Information Control System (CICS) fam-
ily of products. CICS for Digital UNIX provides a highly functional,
scalable, available, mission-critical platform suitable for worldwide
deployment in customer production environments.

Compatibility with the other CICS family products is provided through
support for the CICS command-level application programming interface
(API), and interoperability is supported through use of the CICS In-
terSystem Communication (ISC) capability.

CICS for Digital UNIX supports a client-server architecture, using the
distributed services of the Open Software Foundation (OSF) Distributed
Computing Environment (DCE) and incorporating a number of transactional
core services provided through Encina, developed by the Transarc Cor-
poration. The Encina services are incorporated into the CICS product;
use of Encina and DCE is transparent to the application programmer.
CICS supports queue management and VSAM file control on Encina Struc-
tured File Server (SFS). CICS optionally uses the DCE Cell Directory
Server to provide name services, and the DCE Security Server for se-
curity. In simple configurations the use of the DCE CDS and Security
Server may be omitted.

The CICS for Digital UNIX capability is provided in three separately
orderable products, designed to simplify the ordering, configuration
and management process. The product set consists of the Cell Server,
Server and Client. The Cell Server and Server each provide all the CICS
capability; the Cell Server also includes the Encina Structured File

                              DIGITAL                     June 1997

                                                        AE-QEYTE-TE

 



CICS for Digital UNIX, Version 2.1B                   SPD 54.64.04


Server (SFS). A CICS configuration (single system or local network)
must contain at least one Cell Server with SFS to be used for file and
queue management. The use of a Cell Server on every system is recom-
mended. The Client provides the terminal support and the APIs for user
written client applications. Both the Cell Server and the Server in-
clude the Client.

Features

Application Development

CICS for Digital UNIX provides features and tools to support the de-
velopment of applications, their migration from (or to) other CICS fam-
ily platforms, and interoperability with CICS on other platforms.

The CICS family API is supported for both COBOL and C programming lan-
guages. The commands provide the CICS functions

o  File Control

o  Temporary storage

o  Transient data

o  Terminal control

o  Basic mapping support

o  Program control

o  Interval control

o  Storage control

o  Condition and abend handling

o  Task control

o  Journal control

o  Trace control

o  Dump control

o  Environment services

                                 2

 



CICS for Digital UNIX, Version 2.1B                   SPD 54.64.04


Development tools include

o  a CICS command translator which validates the syntax of EXEC CICS
   commands and converts them into C or COBOL statements

o  a translator to prepare standard CICS family format BMS map def-
   initions for use by CICS for Digital UNIX applications

o  a Motif-based Screen Design Aid to create or modify BMS maps in-
   teractively

o  an Execution Diagnostic Facility (CEDF) to enable programmers to
   monitor the execution of EXEC CICS statements. The Animator facil-
   ity of Micro Focus COBOL provides source level debugging of COBOL
   Programs. Digital UNIX also supports source level debugging of both
   C and COBOL programs.

Interoperability

CICS supports the distribution of applications and data by providing
interoperability with existing mainframe and distributed CICS family
members through the InterSystem Communication (ISC) services:

o  Function Shipping, enabling a program to transparently access re-
   mote data with integrity

o  Transaction Routing, enabling users to connect to remote transac-
   tions on any CICS system in the network

o  Distributed Program Link (DPL), enabling a transaction on one sys-
   tem to call a program on another (as in a client/server model)

o  Asynchronous Transaction Processing, enabling a transaction on one
   system to start a program on another

o  Distributed Transaction Processing, enabling method of controlling
   communications using a peer-to-peer model.

ISC support is provided over TCP/IP (provided with Digital UNIX) or
SNA (requires optional SNA products).

Data Management

                                 3

 



CICS for Digital UNIX, Version 2.1B                   SPD 54.64.04


CICS provides access, with full integrity, to the following resources:

o  File control (RRDS, ESDS, KSDS)

o  Temporary storage queues (Auxiliary)

o  Transient data queues (Intrapartition)

o  Relational database managers

CICS ISC function shipping provides distributed support for file con-
trol, temporary storage and transient data such that the location of
the data is transparent to both the user and the application.

CICS uses the SFS for VSAM and other data files.

CICS supports access to relational databases via SQL calls or commands
in the CICS application. Full integrity of access for transactions which
include both CICS and SQL calls is provided for databases that sup-
port the X/Open XA interface.

Syncpoint Management

CICS for Digital UNIX supports full data integrity, including dynamic
transaction rollback and coordination of local and remote syncpoints
for the distributed environment. SyncLevel 2 (for 2 phase commit) is
supported between CICS for Digital UNIX and other CICS for Open Sys-
tems family members over TCP/IP. Direct connections between CICS for
Digital UNIX and other CICS family members over SNA supports SyncLevel
0 and 1.

System Management

System management facilities provide the following:

o  the dynamic equivalent of Resource Definition Online (RDO) and as-
   sistance with problem determination

o  the use of system-generated data for monitoring system performance

o  remote operator interface capability via the CICS Master Terminal
   (CEMT)

                                 4

 



CICS for Digital UNIX, Version 2.1B                   SPD 54.64.04


o  security facilities to permit controlled access to CICS resources
   (e.g. RSL and TSL, EXEC CICS SIGNON, user/workstation authentica-
   tion, access control to SFS files)

Client Support

The CICS for Digital UNIX Client enables the connection of different
types of terminal and user written applications to access the CICS Server.
Terminal Support is provided for:

o  Video Terminals (VTs) and VT emulators (including X-terminals and
   PC VT or X-windows emulators). This terminal interface supports color
   and multibyte character sets.

o  Telnet 3270 protocol from any TCP/IP device or system

o  3270 terminals (connected through the SNA Domain Gateway)

Two Application Programming Interfaces enable user written applica-
tions to access CICS by emulating either 3270 terminals (External Pre-
sentation Interface) or CICS servers (External Call Interface).

Using the External Presentation Interface (EPI), applications may start
transactions and send and receive 3270 data streams to and from them.
This facility enables graphical interfaces to be written for exist-
ing CICS applications on, for example, AlphaStations or PCs.

The External Call Interface (ECI) enables user written applications
to call CICS programs synchronously or asynchronously. The ECI sup-
ports the development of new client-server applications.

CICS for Digital UNIX also supports access from IBM CICS Clients for
DOS, Windows, OS/2, Macintosh and Windows NT, and from the CICS Java
Gateway.

CICS for Digital UNIX also contains a demonstration program provided
to give examples of different ways of creating client interfaces for
CICS.



                                 5

 



CICS for Digital UNIX, Version 2.1B                   SPD 54.64.04


CONFORMANCE TO STANDARDS

The CICS for Digital UNIX product conforms to the following industry
specifications:

o  Year 2000 conformance

o  X/Open XA interface

o  Open Software Foundation (OSF) Distributed Computing Environment
   (DCE)

INSTALLATION

Digital recommends that installation and configuration services for
CICS for Digital UNIX and related products be purchased from Digital
or its system integration partners.

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

Processors Supported

All AlphaServers and AlphaStations supported by Digital UNIX.

Processors Not Supported

None.

Disk Space Requirements:

Disk space required for      /usr 184 Mb
installation:

Disk space required for      /usr 184 Mb
use (permanent):
                             /var 28 Mb

These counts refer to the disk space required on the system disk. The
sizes are approximate; actual sizes may vary depending on the user's
system environment, configuration, and software options.

                                 6

 



CICS for Digital UNIX, Version 2.1B                   SPD 54.64.04


Memory Requirements:

The minimum memory supported for the Server and Cell Server is 128 Megabytes.
The use of this software in conjunction with increased memory improves
performance.

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

Software required on all CICS for Digital UNIX Cell Server, Server and
Client systems:

*  Digital UNIX V4.0A or V4.0B (includes TCP/IP)

*  Digital DCE Runtime Services for Digital UNIX V2.0A ECO#1

OPTIONAL SOFTWARE

*  DCE Cell Directory and Security Services (provided on at least one
   system in the DCE Cell). These services may be omitted in simple
   configurations.

   *  Digital DCE Cell Directory Service for Digital UNIX V2.0A ECO#1

   *  Digital DCE Security Server for Digital UNIX V2.0A ECO#1

*  Micro Focus COBOL V4.0

*  DEC SNA Peer Server V1.4 (on a UNIX V3.2x host)

*  DEC SNA Domain Gateway V2.0 ECO#2

*  DEC SNA 3270 Application Services V1.2

*  LU6.2 Server V3.0 ECO#7 (licensed in CICS product)

*  ORACLE V7.3.2

*  Informix V7.2



                                 7

 



CICS for Digital UNIX, Version 2.1B                   SPD 54.64.04


GROWTH CONSIDERATIONS

The minimum hardware/software requirements for any future version of
this product may be different from the requirements for the current
version.

DISTRIBUTION MEDIA

Software and documentation for this product is distributed on the Dig-
ital CD-ROM Software Library for Digital UNIX (QA-054AA-H8).

ORDERING INFORMATION


Software Licenses:      QL-3KVA*-** Cell Server
                        QL-3KUA9-** Client
                        QL-3KTA*-** Server
Software Documenta-     QA-3KTA*-GZ
tion:
Software Product        QT-3KVA*-** Cell Server
Services:
                        QT-3KUA9-** Client
                        QT-3KTA*-** Server

*  Denotes variant fields. For additional information on available li-
   censes, services, and media, refer to the appropriate price book.

SOFTWARE LICENSING

This software is furnished only under a license. For more information
about Digital's licensing terms and policies, contact your local Dig-
ital office.

License Management Facility Support:

This layered product supports the Digital UNIX License Management Fa-
cility.




                                 8

 



CICS for Digital UNIX, Version 2.1B                   SPD 54.64.04


License units for this product are allocated on an Unlimited System
Use basis.

For more information on the License Management Facility, refer to the
Digital UNIX Operating System Software Product Description (SPD 41.61.xx)
or the Digital UNIX Operating System documentation.

SOFTWARE PRODUCT SERVICES

A variety of service options are available from Digital. For more in-
formation, contact your local Digital office.

SOFTWARE WARRANTY

Warranty for this software product is provided by Digital with the pur-
chase of a license for the product as defined in the Software Warranty
Addendum of this SPD.

The above information is valid at time of release. Please contact your
local Digital office for the most up-to-date information.

� 1996 Digital Equipment Corporation. All rights reserved.

[R]  UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other
     countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company, Ltd.

[R]  OSF and Motif are registered trademarks of Open Software
     Foundation, Inc.

[R]  IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Ma-
     chines Corporation

[R]  Encina is a registered trademark of Transarc Corporation

[R]  ORACLE is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation

[R]  Informix is a registered trademark of Informix Software, Inc.

[R]  Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

[TM] CICS is a trademark of International Business Machines Corpo-
     ration in the United States and other countries

                                 9

 



CICS for Digital UNIX, Version 2.1B                   SPD 54.64.04



[TM] The DIGITAL Logo, AlphaServer, AlphaStation, AlphaGeneration
     and DEC are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.






































                                 10

    Hi,
    One of the products layered on Digital UNIX V4 on the July layered
    products CD is a new version of the SNA Peer Server, V1.4, according
    to their product manager's note in SMAUG::SNAGWY notes.  Since CICS
    for Digital UNIX uses the SNA Peer Server for mainframe connectivity,
    does this mean that CICS V2.1B will work with SNA Peer Server V1.4
    on Digital UNIX V4?  We have a customer who is very interested in 
    upgrading to this configuration as quickly as possible.  Thanks in
    advance for any information.
    Regards, Ellen