At VirtualZ™, we take pride in creating software solutions that are not only innovative but also user-friendly and efficient. PropelZ™, our no-code data integration software, exemplifies this commitment by streamlining the process of extracting, transforming, and loading data from mainframe systems.
In a recent discussion, Jerry Edgington, Senior Solutions and Innovation Consultant at Pellera (formerly Mainline/Converge), shared his insights on the quick and effective installation of PropelZ, in which they were up and running within just a few hours.
“PropelZ is a very straightforward install—you create the ZFS, upload it, untar it, and it’s ready to go. It doesn’t take much time at all, just a couple of hours to get the product laid down and installed in a testing environment.” Jerry Edgington
Jerry successfully deployed PropelZ while minimizing any disruptions to their existing environment. And by adhering to best practices — such as utilizing shared ZFS structures and automating the startup — PropelZ seamlessly integrated into their mainframe ecosystem. It reaffirms PropelZ’s flexibility, ease of installation, and straightforward ongoing management.
We highlight some portions below; watch the full video here.
Pellera’s (formerly Mainline/Converge) PropelZ Experience
Preparing for the Installation
According to Jerry, the preparation for PropelZ’s installation was straightforward. The most critical pre-installation step involved setting up a ZFS (z/OS file system) for both service and production environments. This setup was completed quickly, ensuring a smooth transition for systems running on z/OS 2.5 with Java 8 or Java 11.
Disk Space and Setup Considerations
The installation of PropelZ required approximately 200 MB of ZFS space. Jerry noted that as organizations scale their operations across multiple LPARs (logical partitions), the space requirement would double for each additional environment. This flexibility is particularly advantageous for businesses looking to enhance their data management capabilities.
For optimal performance, Jerry recommended sharing a single ZFS across all LPARs within a sysplex. This strategy not only simplifies maintenance but also ensures that updates are consistently applied across all environments. Additionally, he suggested keeping log files in local LPAR directories while maintaining the environment as read-only to improve efficiency.
Security, Networking, and Automation
While integrating PropelZ into an existing mainframe environment, some minor adjustments were necessary. This included establishing RACF (Resource Access Control Facility) permissions for security and reserving TCP/IP ports for networking. These routine tasks highlighted PropelZ’s adaptability to various mainframe setups.
Once the system was operational, Jerry focused on automating the startup process. By utilizing Unix scripts and JCL (Job Control Language), they seamlessly integrated PropelZ into their existing automation tools, such as OPS/MVS, facilitating an efficient startup.
Final Thoughts: A Smooth Installation Experience
Jerry’s experience with PropelZ reaffirmed the software’s flexibility, ease of installation, and straightforward ongoing management. He successfully deployed PropelZ while minimizing any disruptions to their existing environment. By adhering to best practices — such as utilizing shared ZFS structures and automating the startup — PropelZ seamlessly integrated into their mainframe ecosystem.
Watch the Full Conversation
Want to learn more about PropelZ’s installation process and best practices? Watch the full interview with Jerry Edgington, Vince Re, and James Hoadley for deeper insights into how PropelZ can transform your mainframe data management.
Learn More
- Watch a demo of PropelZ.
- Try PropelZ.
- Explore our YouTube channel, podcasts, and blog.
- Still have questions? Contact us.