Ask the Experts
Ask the Experts
-
FTP help
A reader wrote in asking for help with an FTP job. See what help expert Mark Zelden offered. Continue Reading
-
Halon and FM-200, part two
A reader wrote in and pointed out that comparing the two technologies seemed strange, "one is almost legislated out of existence and the other is suspect." See how our expert responded. Continue Reading
-
Selecting a sprinkler system: Dependent on local building code regulations?
Fire protection expert Lance Harry answers a question about building codes and sprinkler systems. Continue Reading
-
Gas fire suppression systems
Expert Lance Harry explains what to consider when selecting a fire suppression system for your data center. Continue Reading
-
Mitigating kernel vulnerabilities
Security expert James Turnbull offers resources for plug-ins to mitigate buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the kernel. Continue Reading
-
Hardware requirements for MySQL 5.0
MySQL expert Mike Hillyer recommends reserving at least 100 mb of RAM for MySQL 5.0 on Linux, among other things. Continue Reading
-
Setting limits to slave numbers in MySQL 5.0
MySQL expert Mike Hillyer describes how increasing the number of slaves will impact operations traffic on the master side. Continue Reading
-
HTML interface for a MySQL server
MySQL expert Mike Hillyer recommends using phpmyadmin to create an HTML interface for users who want to link to MySQL. Continue Reading
-
Migrating the domain controller to Linux
Find out why Red Hat Domain Server beats out Windows NT Domain Controller when migrating the domain controller to Linux. Continue Reading
-
Avoiding deadlocks in ASE
Sybase expert Mich Talebzadeh gives tips on how to avoid deadlocks in ASE, such as using stored procedures and writing transactions to acquire locks in the same order on the system. Continue Reading
-
q-mail for the enterprise
An open source issues and strategies expert tells why qmail is enterprise-ready and more secure than Sendmail. Continue Reading
-
Nullifying foreign key statements when loading a test dev MySQL database
MySQL expert Mike Hillyer gives the shutoff command for foreign key checks when loading data. Continue Reading
-
E-mail notification for database record additions
MySQL expert Mike Hillyer recommends using a combination of a trigger and a user-defined function in order to setup automatic e-mail notification of record additions. Continue Reading
-
Overheating servers
Expert Robert McFarlane explains why servers can overheat, and offers some suggestions on how to fix it--before it costs big money. Continue Reading
-
TCP/IP problem
A z/OS newbie wrote in asking for help with TCP/IP addresses. Expert Mark Zelden tries to help and directs him to a place where he can read more about it. Continue Reading
-
Pre-action dry pipe fire sprinklers versus wet pipe sprinklers
A reader wrote in wanting to know if pre-action dry pipe was still the standard in the data center. Expert Lance Harry responds. Continue Reading
-
Regulations for bank data centers
The most remarkable thing about spacing and zoning regulations related to the locations of banks and their datacenters is their absence. In fact, banks are likely to face more stringent codes related to the building of datacenter structures. Continue Reading
-
The Big Red Button
Expert Lance Harry explains the significance of the "big red button" and how it relates to fire safety in response to a reader's question. Continue Reading
-
Transferring data from a Unix SCO server to Red Hat Linux 3.0
Unix-Linux expert Ken Milberg describes how to port apps from a Unix SCO server to Red Hat Linux 3.0. Continue Reading
-
Open source EAI for adapters, transaction management and data transformation
Open source software and applications expert Bernard Golden recommends open source tool OpenAdapter as an EAI solution for adapters, transaction management and data transformation. Continue Reading
-
Dropping a stored procedure properly
Sybase expert Mich Talebzadeh gives recommends how to drop a stored procedure properly. Continue Reading
-
Dual power question
We're building an existing room into a high thermal density datacenter. Our facilities HVAC rep intends to supplement the new CRAC Units with existing general house HVAC registers, to assist with managing the high heat loads. Will this arrangement... Continue Reading
-
CRAC units with existing HVAC
We're building an existing room into a high thermal density data center. Our facilities HVAC rep intends to supplement the new CRAC units with existing general house HVAC registers to assist with managing the high heat loads. Will this arrangement ... Continue Reading
-
A fiber optic backbone
I heard that there are fiber optic cables that could be used as a backbone for all connections in a data center. What type of fiber optic is recommended, and what would be the ideal way to design it? Continue Reading
-
Resolving issues with batch FTP
Expert Mark Zelden shares how to ensure batch ftp defaults are the same in test and production environments. Continue Reading
-
COBOL program that will run in z/OS and open in MS-Word
I want to write a COBOL program that will run in z/OS and create a sequential file that can then be FTP'd to a network drive and opened with MS-Word (MS-Office 2003) as a fully formatted Word document with page headers, tables, and paragraphs. Help? Continue Reading
-
Working with Telnet
With SNA our developers had the possibility to work with a 62 x 160 session. With Telnet now they are restricted to 27 x 132. Do you have any ideas how we could do a work around that so we are able to work again with 62x160, or is it really ... Continue Reading
-
Standards to run copper cables and cable up a patch panel
Are there any standards on how run copper cables and cable up a patch panel? Continue Reading
-
Cooling in the blade rack
Blade servers may help to reduce the footprint I take, but how can I be sure of cooling in the rack? What sort of rack should I look for? And why? Continue Reading
-
Standard for blade servers and chassis technologies?
One of my company's greatest fears about blade servers is that the chassis technologies might not be able to keep up with the servers themselves. We think this will eventually lead to a situation where we have to decide whether to keep the current ... Continue Reading
-
How to view XML files in z/OS after being FPTed
I want to transfer an XML file from Windows NT to a z/OS. The problem is that the file on the z/OS after FTP shows one very long record. How can I see the XML file on z/OS like I see it in an XML viewer? Continue Reading
-
Benefits of blade servers
What is the best benefit of a blade server? Continue Reading
-
Standalone utilities to convert a COBOL flat file into XML format
I have converted a COBOL flat file into XML format. Do you know any standalone utility that can cross check this data file again a supplied schema? Please note that we do have some privacy concerns. Thank you for the help. Continue Reading
-
Invoking Web services from a batch job running z/OS
I am currently working on a POC, and we're looking for a way to invoke Web services from a batch job running in z/OS (V1R7). We know COBOL doesn't have a Web services capability, but perhaps we can invoke a Web services API from a C/C++ program or ... Continue Reading
-
How can I reduce CPU to a CICS app?
We have a CICS application that has to do many dynamic calls to another COBOL program. How can I get the CPU reduced with this? We have read the LE manuals and did everything they suggested, but to no avail. STROBES point to the overhead of the call. Continue Reading
-
Is it possible to share a VSAM file between CICS and batch processing for update?
Is it possible to share a VSAM file between CICS and batch processing for update? If so, how difficult is it to set up? Continue Reading
-
Restricting user access to home directories
Security expert James Turnbull describes how to restrict user access to home directories through the use of the "chroot" command. Continue Reading
-
Migrating from MS Works database
Office suites expert Solveig Haugland describes how to update data in a text database to migrate files from MS Works to OpenOffice. Continue Reading
-
Can I 'call' a CICS COBOL module from a batch COBOL program?
Find out what happens when you try to make a call to a CICS COBOL module from a batch COBOL program. Continue Reading
-
Data center outsourcing advice
When does a data center manager decide whether to outsource the data center or keep it in-house? Expert Charles King gives his opinion. Continue Reading
-
Running Sybase without the RUNSERVER file
Sybase expert Mich Talebzadeh describes how to start a server without the benefit of the RUNSERVER file by typing out the individual commands. Continue Reading
-
Starting a server without RUNSERVER
Sybase expert Mich Talebzadeh explains how to start a database server without using the RUNSERVER file by typing out each individual command. Continue Reading
-
How can I speed up Oracle performance on Unix?
What is the best way to structure an Oracle database for a faster performance in a Unix production field? Continue Reading
-
Keeping your Apache server safe
Security expert James Turnbull recommends resources for stopping crackers. Continue Reading
-
The business of open source software
Open source software and issues expert Bernard Golden explains how OS firms find their mainstream niche and compete with their commercial counterparts. Continue Reading
-
Adding row numbers to PHP code
MySQL expert Mike Hillyer recommends a shortcut for adding row numbers to PHP code when attempting to access and retrieve data. Continue Reading
-
Migrating from Oracle 9i to PostgresSQL 7.3.4 using Ora2Pg
Unix-to-Linux migration expert Ken Milberg gives advice on how to use Ora2PG for preserving information in databases transitioning from Oracle 9i to PostgresSQL 7.3.4. Continue Reading
-
CAN vs. CVE numbers
Security expert James Turnbull explains the difference between CAN and CVE numbers assigned to vulnerabilities and bugs. Continue Reading
-
Open source vs. proprietary high-availability database products
Unix-to-Linux migration expert Ken Milberg explains the pros and cons of proprietary vs. open source high-availability enterprise solutions for databases. Continue Reading
-
Fine tuning hot aisle/cold aisle rack arrangements
Expert Steve Madara fine tunes his advice on hot aisle/cold aisle rack arrangements. Continue Reading
-
HRECALL and DASD tapes
-
Can you order DFSMSDSS without DFSMSHSM?
-
Setting up an IBM mainframe printer for CICS
-
What changes are required to convert an LPAR to native zLinux?
We have two z800 machines containing five LPARs -- three productions and two test environments. We are looking into converting one of the test LPARs to a native zLinux. Since the DASD of the test LPARs is separated from production ones, there is no ... Continue Reading
-
Why use C over COBOL?
-
Pros and cons of DASD options
I understand that when running Linux under VM, there are several DASD options -- all SAN, all OS/390 or a mix. What are the pros and cons of each? Are you better able to manage capacity and performance if you make all of the DASD VM minidisks as ... Continue Reading
-
Accessing DFHTCTE from a CICS program
-
A CICS version for Linux for zSeries?
-
A few major Linux advantages
-
A sneaky AR TCB queue solution
-
Getting started on Linux on the mainframe
Are there any good information sources that explain the basics of Linux on the mainframe? I am interested in learning more about Linux on the mainframe and its capabilities, but the concepts are very new to me. Continue Reading
-
Generating UUIDs in a CICS regions
-
Which Linux distro is most mainframe worthy
Which Linux distro is the best choice for the mainframe? Continue Reading
-
Can batch-compiled COBOL programs run in CICS?
CICS expert Robert Harris offers advice on running batch-compiled COBOL programs in CICS environment. Continue Reading
-
Coding the Write Operator command in CICS
-
Leveraging mainframe skills with Linux
Can I use my existing mainframe skill set with Linux on mainframe? Continue Reading
-
Can you run Linux on bare metal on the mainframe?
Running Linux on bare metal on the mainframe. Continue Reading
-
OS/390 2.10 and z/OS 1.6 compatibility
OS 390 and zOS compatibility Continue Reading
-
Getting BLOBs from DB2
-
VSAM CISIZE setting override change in z/OS V1.3
-
Accessing an ESDS file that's open to CICS
Advice on accessing an ESDS file that is open to CICS for update from a batch COBOL program. Continue Reading
-
Views vs. Stored procedures
Sybase expert Mich Talebzadeh describes the similarities between views and stored procedures that can lead to differences in the speed of compilation. Continue Reading
-
Group permission for truncating tables
Sybase expert Mich Talebzadeh explains how to authorize groups to truncate using a delete command with the temporary table. Continue Reading
-
Effective productization in open source projects
Open source software and strategies expert Maria Winslow defines productization and its relationship to developers and mainstream users. Continue Reading
-
FM-200
Expert Lance Harry answers all of your questions about FM200 in the data center. Continue Reading
-
Data center budget: Funding your data center
One of our readers is having trouble convincing the big wigs that the data center needs a serious make over. See what advice expert Charles King came up with for data center funding. Continue Reading
-
SuSE Linux vs. Red Hat Linux
Open source software and applications expert Bernard Golden describes the differences between Red Hat Linux and SuSE Linux. Continue Reading
-
Red Hat Server vs. Fedora Core
Unix-Linux migration expert Ken Milberg explains the difference between Red Hat Server and Fedora Core. Continue Reading
-
Sources of free code for intrusion detection systems
-
Minimum ceiling height for a data center
What do you recommend as the minimum ceiling height in a data center? Continue Reading
-
What's the right fire suppression system for our small data center?
What is the correct fire suppression system to use for a small data center? Our data center currently consists of seven racks. Continue Reading
-
What is the kVA/rack limit?
According to the latest studies, power consumption per rack is increasing. What do you think about a boundary (or limit) in kVA per rack in ... Continue Reading
-
How popular are grate-type tiles in a data center's raised floor design?
I don't see mentioned too often the use of grate-type perforated tiles such as Tate's GrateAire that offers a 58% open area as opposed to the typical 25% perforated tile open area in raised-floor data center designs.. Is the grate-type tile finding ... Continue Reading
-
Sealing ceilings
To seal a slab, we can use a non-porous sealer, but what is the best way to seal the ceiling area when the dropped ceiling in the computer room is not a computer-room type tile? After a sealer has been applied to a concrete slab, what is the best ... Continue Reading
-
How important are isolated grounds?
My facilities manger doesn't think I need isolated grounds in my data center. I thought they were necessary for high-performance hardware. How do I convince him I need them? Continue Reading
-
Air conditioning specs in extreme density
What can you advise to a data center designer about air conditioning specifications in extreme density? Continue Reading
-
How can we design a scalable data center?
Is there a rule of thumb to size the square footage for a new data center that is cost effective for at least another 10 years? If not, what are the major factors that we need to put into consideration with the new and future server technology in ... Continue Reading
-
What is the architecture of DB2?
-
What SQL can be used in a compound SQL statement?
-
Deleting the top 10 rows in a table
Find out the best way to use the SQL DELETE statement to delete rows from a table. Continue Reading
-
Important security issues in open source
Security expert James Turnbull recommends ways to maintain the integrity of open source software and applications. Continue Reading
-
The pros and cons of IPsec
-
Achieving B1 Orange book levels with Linux
-
Introductory resources for IPCs, multithreading and socket programming
-
Partitioning and dual boot environments
Open source software and applications expert Bernard Golden explains different ways to create a dual-boot partition with GRUB and Linspire. Continue Reading
-
Roaming profiles for Linux users
-
Linux security features: Advantages of Security Enhanced Linux and IPsec
Security expert James Turnbull describes the advantages and standard features of Linux distros IPsec and Security Enhyanced Linux over Windows. Continue Reading
-
Finding the right jdbc driver for .mdb files in Linux
Mark Hinkle helps users find right jdbc driver for .mdb files in Linux. Continue Reading
-
Conflicting credentials with Windows 2000
Windows-to-Linux interoperability expert Mark Hinkle explains how to overcome the "conflicting credentials" error message from Windows 2000. Continue Reading
-
Open source and the First Amendment