Mainframe DB2

About Infrastructure Technology

Infrastructure Services is a team based in South Africa and Rest of African countries. We are accountable for delivering and supporting resilient, secure infrastructure technology and services to customers, clients and colleagues, both in South Africa and Rest of Africa.

Mainframe Capacity and Performance Team

The mainframe Capacity and Performance team is responsible for ensuring that all z/Os and z/VM / z/Linux systems on the mainframe are managed in a way that is acceptable to both the organisation and their customers.

Overall Purpose of Role

The role is as an Engineer Database Specialist working in the Mainframe Infrastructure team to provide technical maintenance and support for DB2 Databases.

Key Responsibilities

Support for end user programmers and application teams.
Natural and Cobol / Rexx and Assembler.

Writing of and analyzing SQL statements.
Extensive performance tuning and enhancements.

Creating DB2 databases, table spaces, tables, indexes, fields, for Test / Dev / QA and Production environments.
Partitioning.

Automation of processes.

Responsible for data and object housekeeping and maintenance.
Reorg/Run stats/Backups.

Automation of processes.

Database availability: Uptime and stability.
High availability and SYSPLEX knowledge.

Database backups and environmental restores.

High availability

Recover procedures

Automation of processes.

Database structure support.

Altering table spaces, table, indexes, and fields.

Manage, monitor and configure database security.
DCL (Data Control Language)

RACF

TWS

Maintain processes and schedules.

DB2 Installation and upgrades.

Version upgrades.

Patching.

ZParm parameters.

All the mentioned duties included the daily operational functions to keep the systems running, as well as project involvement.

The projects would eventually slot into the daily operations and it was essential to get the design standards and procedures in place upfront. In doing this, operationally the projects would need very little down time to correct. Especially the high focused ones.

A good understanding and work relationship with the various stakeholders within the environment i.e. OS, Storage, Networks etc also assisted in delivering first class support to stakeholders and business.

Software Products and Versions Used

DB2 Version 10

DB2 Version 11 (zOS, 2.4)

DB2 Version 12

Not mentioned in detail is the zOS operating system knowledge. This knowledge is essential to maintain PDS, copy/create/edit files on zOS.

Key Accountabilities

System basic configuration

Version and RU (maintenance) level

zParms up to date

Logging setup
Bufferpools (size, hit ratio, alerts)
Locking, lock contention and deadlocks
Components: DRDA, IRLM

Memory pools and caches

Application databases, table spaces, sizes, invalid objects, fragmentation, extents and space usage
Bufferpools tables, page size, partitioning, indexing, constraints

Referential integrity and clustering

Maintenance runstats, reorg, backup, automation

Application plan/package binds, package usage, stored procedures, WLM integration

Security SysAdm, DbAdm, public grants

Problem diagnosis, performance issues, analytical support

Make and implement DB2 changes

Provide 24x7 standby support

Identify incidents and problems without backup support
Provide architecture solutions aligned with new technologies
Support implementation of new DB2 versions and features
Support implementation of new Mainframe/zOS software and identify impacts

Stakeholder Management and Leadership

Strong communication skills

Ability to articulate complex concepts to various audiences
Represent Mainframe area in project meetings
Communicate technical aspects to senior managers
Collaborate with project and programme managers

Decision-Making and Problem Solving

Excellent analytical skills

High attention to detail

Initiative and determination

Process-improvement mindset

Patience and resilience

Risk and Control Objective

Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise Wide Risk Management Framework, and internal Policies and Standards.

Person Specification

Delivers on promises

Learns from mistakes and avoids repetition

Flexible and adaptable

Defines own performance objectives

Works without support
Produces documentation and manuals
Creates and pursues development plans
Acts as a mentor
Works under pressure while maintaining high quality
Can influence senior stakeholders
Demonstrates broad understanding of business issues

Essential Skills / Basic Qualifications

Able to communicate at all levels

Excellent understanding of Mainframe operating systems and hardware
Good understanding of IMS, DB2, MQ, CICS, VMAX disks, IBM VTS and tape

Able to work under pressure

Strong stakeholder management

Several years' practical DB2 engineering experience
Provide 24x7 standby support
Expert understanding of z/OS, hardware and memory usage

15 years mainframe experience

Desirable Skills / Preferred Qualifications

Broad understanding of business issues

Detailed understanding of technical architectures and work demand portfolio
Awareness of how own work impacts the organisation

Originally posted on Himalayas