Course detail

IBM zSeries Servers

FIT-IIZAcad. year: 2025/2026

IBM zSeries servers (mainframes) are used for the execution of critical applications in large companies. This area of IT is quite specialized what means that there are only a few experts available.

Students will learn the principles of IBM zSeries servers and the basics of their maintenance. Within the computer labs, students will use concrete examples to see how to monitor and manage common applications running on zSeries servers.

This course is provided by Kyndryl.

Language of instruction

Czech, English

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Bohuslav Křena, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Intelligent Systems (UITS)

Entry knowledge

Students are expected to have knowledge of operating systems principles and programming skills. Orientation in database systems is an advantage.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

No attendance on lectures is monitored. Attendance in the computer labs is recorded. Dutiful attendance in at least 75 % of computer labs is necessary for accreditation.

Students can obtain:

  • 20 points from computer labs,
  • 30 points from assignments evaluated within computer labs,
  • 20 points from the first test that takes place in the middle of semester and concentrates on topics discussed within first five weeks,
  • 30 points from the second test that takes place at the end of semester and concentrates on all topics discussed within the course.

In order to receive credit, a minimum of 50 points (in addition to at least 75% participation in the computer exercises) is required.

Plagiarism as well as non-permitted cooperation within computer labs and homework or cheating during tests will cause that involved students are not classified and disciplinary action may be initiated.

Aims

This course introduces students into principles of IBM zSeries servers and their maintenance. Students will learn general principles as well as exercise monitoring and maintaining of common applications running on zSeries servers.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Basic literature

M. Ebbers, J. Kettner, W. OBrien, B. Ogden. Introduction to the new Mainframe: zOS basics. 3. vydání. IBM Redbooks, 2011. 

Recommended reading

IBM. z/OS Internet Library. http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/z/os/zos/library/bkserv/index.html

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BIT Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
  • Programme BIT Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Bc. Michal Ergens

Syllabus

  1. Introduction of the zSeries servers, history of the HW, types of the zSeries processors, zStorage models, 3D presentation of the newest zSeries processor
  2. zOS SW; basic panels for zSeries administration - TSO and ISPF, basic commands of the operating system
  3. Types of the datasets and their use, zOS virtual storage concept
  4. Job control language (JCL), Parallel sysplex - possibilities of connecting server
  5. Job Entry Subsystem (JES), the start of the zOS operating system (IPL)
  6. Design of the zOS applications, programming languages
  7. Linking and compilation of programs for zOS
  8. zSeries transaction SW - CICS
  9. zSeries database systems - DB2, IMS
  10. Message queue server, Web application server and Web servers for zOS
  11. SW administration on mainframes - SMPE, zOS server security - RACF
  12. Storage management - Storage Management Subsystem, zOS network environment
  13. Summary, open discussion about the further use of zSeries for zVM or zLinux operating systems, future of the mainframes

Exercise in computer lab

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Bc. Michal Ergens

Syllabus

  1. Log on to the system, user profiles, basic user interface settings
  2. Basic navigation in ISPF and getting of the system parameters
  3. Working with datasets
  4. Fundamentals of programming in JCL
  5. Working with jobs and JES2
  6. Character sets and basics of programming on mainframes
  7. Compiling and linking programs
  8. Working with the CICS transaction server
  9. Working with the DB2 database system
  10. Introduction to MQseries and Web Application Server on zOS
  11. IPL of the system, setting of zOS parameters
  12. Work with storage and networks on zOS
  13. Repetition exercises

Project

7 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Bc. Michal Ergens

Syllabus

  1. Datasets
  2. Job Control Language
  3. Programming zOS
  4. Databases and CICS
  5. MVS Setup

Individual preparation for a project work

30 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Bohuslav Křena, Ph.D.

Syllabus

The above-mentioned scope of projects (7 hours for 5 projects) is historically based on the method of determining the credit weight of courses and teachers' workloads, and does not reflect the actual workload of projects from the students' perspective (which would be 1 hour and 24 minutes per project in average). By adding 6 hours to each project, the student's workload becomes realistic.

Individual preparation for a credit exam

10 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Bohuslav Křena, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Preparation for the final test.

Individual preparation for a mid-semester exam

5 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Bohuslav Křena, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Preparation for the midterm test.

Individual preparation - study of technical texts

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Bohuslav Křena, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Students are expected to supplement the material covered in lectures and exercises with individual study of IBM z/OS documentation.

E-learning texts

Introduction to the new Mainframe
c1042_c1042_student_guide.pdf 10.83 MB
PPT presentations
Lesson 1A - The new mainframe.ppt 5.79 MB
Lesson 1B - HW systems and LPARS.ppt 4.8 MB
Lesson 2 - TSO-ISPF-SDSF-UNIX.ppt 3.21 MB
Lesson 3A - Working with Datasets.ppt 2.81 MB
Lesson 3B - zOS overview.ppt 2.12 MB
Lesson 4A - JCL and utilities.ppt 0.67 MB
Lesson 4B - Parallel sysplex.ppt 2.24 MB
Lesson 5A - Batch and JES.ppt 1.74 MB
Lesson 5B - IPL Process.ppt 1.21 MB
Lesson 6A - Designing zOS Apps.ppt 9.87 MB
Lesson 6B - Programming languages.ppt 1.09 MB
Lesson 7 - Compiling and Linkediting.ppt 0.38 MB
Lesson 8 - Transactional Systems.ppt 6.88 MB
Lesson 9 - Database slides.ppt 5.41 MB
Lesson 10A - HTTP Server.ppt 0.95 MB
Lesson 10B - WebSphere Application Server on zOS.ppt 4.24 MB
Lesson 10C - WebSphere MQ.ppt 2.75 MB
Lesson 11A - System Programming.ppt 4.14 MB
Lesson 11B - Using SMPE.ppt 0.6 MB