Enablement

Enhanced Definition

In the context of IBM mainframe and z/OS, "enablement" refers to the process of activating, configuring, or preparing a system, software component, or hardware feature to perform a specific function or support new capabilities. It involves making a previously unavailable or dormant feature operational, often requiring specific steps to integrate it into the existing environment. In the mainframe context, "enablement" refers to the process of activating, configuring, or making available new features, functionalities, hardware capabilities, or software components within the z/OS operating system and its associated subsystems. It ensures that a system or application can utilize specific technologies or achieve desired operational states, effectively "making possible" a new capability.

Key Characteristics

- Configuration-Driven: Often involves setting parameters, options, or flags within PARMLIB members, product configuration files, or system commands to activate a feature.
- Software Maintenance: May necessitate applying Program Temporary Fixes (PTFs), Authorized Program Analysis Reports (APARs), or installing new product releases via SMP/E.
- Hardware Activation: Can involve activating new processor features, I/O capabilities, or cryptographic hardware via Hardware Management Console (HMC) or microcode updates.
- Prerequisite Fulfillment: Requires ensuring all necessary dependencies, such as specific z/OS levels, other software components, or security authorizations, are met.
- System Integration: Often focuses on allowing different mainframe components (e.g., CICS, DB2, IMS) to leverage new underlying z/OS services or interoperate effectively.
- Performance and Security: Frequently targets the activation of features designed to enhance system performance, improve security, or provide new compliance capabilities.

Use Cases

- New z/OS Feature Activation: Enabling new functions introduced in a z/OS release, such as zIIP (System z Integrated Information Processor) exploitation for specific workloads or z/OS Pervasive Encryption.
- Middleware Product Configuration: Activating new capabilities within CICS, DB2, or IMS, such as DB2 Data Sharing group members or CICS Web Services support.
- Hardware Feature Utilization: Enabling new cryptographic coprocessors (CPACF or Crypto Express) for secure data operations or activating specific instruction sets on the CPU.
- Security Enhancements: Implementing and enabling advanced security features like AT-TLS (Application Transparent Transport Layer Security) for secure network communication or multi-factor authentication for user access.
- Application Modernization: Preparing the environment for COBOL applications to interact with new APIs, services, or data sources, often requiring specific runtime library enablement.

Related Concepts

Enablement is a critical aspect of system programming and system administration, closely linked to change management and software lifecycle management. It often leverages SMP/E for software installation and maintenance, relies on JCL for batch configuration tasks, and impacts IPL (Initial Program Load) procedures when system-wide changes are made. It ensures that middleware products and applications can effectively utilize the underlying z/OS operating system and hardware capabilities, often interacting with security products like RACF for authorization.

Best Practices:

Thorough Planning and Testing: Always plan enablement steps meticulously and test them rigorously in a non-production environment before deploying to production.
Consult IBM Documentation: Refer to official IBM Program Directories, Customization Guides, and Redbooks for precise, step-by-step enablement procedures and prerequisites.
Change Management Process: Integrate all enablement activities into a formal change management process to track, approve, and document modifications.
Backup and Recovery: Ensure appropriate system and data backups are performed before initiating significant enablement changes to facilitate rollback if necessary.
Monitor System Impact: After enablement, closely monitor system performance, resource utilization, and error logs to identify and address any unforeseen impacts or regressions.
Phased Rollout: For complex or critical enablement, consider a phased rollout strategy, starting with a subset of systems or workloads to minimize risk.