OS/390, z/OS Installation/Migration

Overview

The z/OS and OS/390 Installation and Migration Service Offering is provided by Best Customer Solutions, Inc. as a way for users on the S/390 or zSeries processors to easily and smoothly upgrade to z/OS from prior releases.

The z/OS Installation and Migration Service Offering uses a tailored Microsoft Project-based Upgrade Plan to lay out an OS/390 or z/OS upgrade in fine detail, including the following components: (1) Project kickoff and planning session, (2) Basic installation and test system verification (ServerPac or CBPDO), (3) Testing of OS/390 or z/OS, (4) Implementation of OS/390 or z/OS in a production mode (optional), (5) Installation and migration of OS/390 or z/OS Third Party products (optional), (6) Installation and migration of non-OS/390 IBM products (optional) and (7) Training associated with the upgrade (optional). The Upgrade Plan can include client personnel as well as members of the BCS staff, or BCS can solely perform the upgrade in conjunction with a client liaison. Deliverables of this Service Offering include: (1) A detailed, customized Upgrade Plan and (2) Documentation of the upgrade process, including an Installation Diary and documentation for individual product installations.

Description

An OS/390 upgrade starts with a kickoff meeting and planning session held onsite at your location, and has the following objectives:

Familiarize members of BCS staff with the S/390 environment where OS/390 is to be installed. A System Environment Questionnaire is provided to aid in this process.
Define project scope in detail. The OS/390 and z/OS Migration Starter Kit is an aid in defining the specific details of an upgrade, to identify installation-unique upgrade tasks, to determine installation objectives and deadlines, to determine any unusual installation requirements and in general, to determine all the information necessary to tailor the Migration Starter Kit to an Upgrade Plan for your system.
Assign responsibilities for installation and migration tasks. Responsible team members can include both your staff and members from BCS. This information is incorporated into the Upgrade Plan.
Determine logistics such as Userids, security clearances, onsite facilities, dial-in access, a brief orientation to using the system, etc.
Determine status meeting/conference call schedule, status reporting requirements, etc.

Once the Upgrade Plan is completed, installation of z/OS begins in earnest. Best Customer Solutions can install z/OS either via a ServerPac or CBPDO CustomPac offering, and can provide guidance in ServerPac usage which can simplify future upgrades. Major tasks involved in this part of the upgrade are:

Identify migration tasks, ensure coexistence system requirements are met.
Update third party and non-z/OS products as necessary for compatibility.
Tailor and run z/OS installations jobs, create test system.

The next phase of the z/OS upgrade is to bring the system up on a test LPAR. Major tasks involved in this part of the upgrade are:

IPL system initially to verify base system.
Perform release-to-release migration tasks, based on the release that's currently in use.
Re-assemble any user exits or other system programs.
Perform migration tasks which are installation-unique.
Apply current maintenance.
IPL customized system, test subsystems via IVPs, Third Party products, non-z/OS products.
Resolve of any problems which arise, in conjunction with IBM Support if needed.

After migration of z/OS to the test LPAR is complete and has been thoroughly tested, it can then moved to a production status. Major tasks involved in this part of the upgrade are:

Upgrade start-up procs, JCL and system libraries as needed.
Resolution of any problems which arise, in conjunction with IBM Support if needed.
Perform system cleanup necessary for a smooth move to production.
Implementation in production once problems are resolved, and related monitoring/support.
Old release cleanup and related post-production tasks.

In addition to upgrading to z/OS, Best Customer Solutions, Inc., is willing and able to upgrade related, Third Party products which must be tailored or upgraded to a new release to be compatible with z/OS. Examples of these types of products are: (1) System monitors, (2) DASD and performance monitoring tools, (3) Tape Management control systems, (4) Job output viewing tools and (5) Application development tools.

Best Customer Solutions, Inc., is also willing and able to provide training for systems, operations or application personnel, as negotiated at the time a contract is agreed to.

Summary

The z/OS and OS/390 Installation and Migration Services Offering is a tested, seasoned approach to upgrading to the most current level of z/OS on the S/390 platform. Upgrading to z/OS will ensure proper positioning for future upgrades to the z/OS operating system and to the zSeries hardware. This service offering can be tailored to your company's specific needs, and is not necessarily limited to the above description. If you have interest in this service offering, please contact Jim Schesvold at 1(715)341-6489, or contact Jim via email at jschesvold@mainframehelp.com.