News
ZEN Reporting v2 now available
ZEN Reporting v2 is now available from the customer portal for all ZEN v2 users.
This sophisticated report generator and viewer has been improved with the addition
of the following enhancements:
- Create, display, print and download reports in PDF format
- Batch Reporting for automating the production of reports
- Report formatting for selecting data fields and editing column headings
- Local PC download facility for reports built as CSV files
- Reporting support for the ZEN IP MONITOR - IMPLEX
- New v2 Reporting Job Control Decks
3rd August 2011
ZIM v5 - Not Just A Pretty Interface
Latest version of ZEN IP MONITOR - IMPLEX now available
ZEN IP MONITOR (ZIM) version 5.1 is now generally available. Integration with ZEN’s
advanced web-browser presentation means ZIM benefits from imaginative and flexible
data presentation.
Further ZEN-enablement benefits come in the form of interoperability with other
ZEN components. For example, once ZIM has detected an error condition, customers
of ZEN’s class leading TRACE & SOLVE – EXIGENCE (ZTS) product can start, stop &
view ZTS traces, directly from ZIM displays, for deep-dive problem analysis.
In addition to the new user-interface, ZIM v5 has several other enhancements, including:
- Significant new monitoring capabilities for complex Sysplex Distributor environments*
- Improvements and enhancements to the Alerting function
- Enhancements to TN3270 and NTT Monitoring and Displays
- The introduction of a Command Input Area to many of the 3270 panels
- Large Screen Support for 3270 Emulated Panels
- Packet Trace Panel Improvements
- Enhancements to Enterprise Extender Alerting Group
- Delete and Add Service Group Ports by Server
*Available via PTF update July 2011
To find out more about ZIM v5.1 click the document downloads below:
5th July 2011
Latest release of ZEN TRACE & SOLVE - EXIGENCE v4.7:
Features in-flight viewing of traces and more...
ZEN TRACE & SOLVE (ZTS) version 4.7 is now generally available. The premier z/OS
network tracing product continues to evolve, delivering more customer-suggested
enhancements for network tracing and solution solving, helping busy z/OS network
support people do more in less time.
To find out more about ZTS v4.7 click the document downloads below:
12th Apr 2011
Enhanced SyslogD Support blows the whistle on security violations
The new Syslog Daemon (SyslogD) support in ZEN extends its system and network log
services to include messages originating from the SyslogD. SyslogD is a critical
part of z/OS's Intrusion Detection and Prevention services (IDS) because detailed
event messages, such as security violations, are sent to SyslogD, as well as messages
from many other important communications services including FTP and AT-TLS.
Real-time monitoring of the SyslogD is vital for z/OS system security. This is important
for two groups of people in organizations; those who are responsible for z/OS system
operations and those who are responsible for risk management and corporate compliance.
Real-time notification of system violations and potential customer disruption should
now be a minimum z/OS requirement. Trying to defend delayed SyslogD reporting, or
worse, with an insurer after a systems “event” could be a challenge.
The new ZEN SyslogD support has the following capabilities:
- Collect SyslogD messages from z/OS Syslog Daemon
- Collect SyslogD messages from remote z/OS SyslogD Daemons
- Collect SyslogD messages from any other network device
- Filter SyslogD messages based on Origin, Facility and/or Priority
- Display filtered SyslogD messages in the ZEN System Log
- Forward SyslogD messages to the ZEN Network Log (kept historically)
- Drive automation commands/Rexx procedures for SyslogD messages
You can see and potentially automate any SyslogD-enabled device by routing its messages
to the ZEN System Log.
ZEN Rexx procedures driven by automation on receipt of a SyslogD message can extract
the message attributes (facility, priority and origin IP address) as well as the
message text. All ZEN automation capabilities are available for SyslogD messages
including forwarding the message to console, email, SNMP traps etc.
Liam Hammond, Managing Director of William Data Systems explained “Now that real
time monitoring of the SyslogD with automatic responses is available, z/OS system
administrators can focus on the organizations' business issues and leave ZEN to
'blow the whistle' when needed.”.
Read the ZEN SyslogD
Press Release here or download the
datasheet here.
16th Nov 2010
Who cares about SyslogD on the mainframe?
Read what the Mainframe Update blog says about ZEN and SyslogD.
7 Dec 2010
z/OS network management comes to the Apple iPhone
Listening to suggestions from WDS’s customers about how ZEN could be made even better,
it is clear there is a growing requirement for z/OS system support staff to be able
to monitor and manage their systems using 'smart' mobile devices. With so many mobile
platforms currently competing with each other for market share, WDS took the decision
to start their ZEN mobile access developments with Apple's iPad and now the iPhone.
Liam Hammond, Managing Director of William Data Systems explained “Reduced annual
costs with improved z/OS network functionality is what we deliver. Add the research
and development that we also do to take advantage of emerging technologies and you
see what keeps WDS and our ZEN suite one step ahead.”.
Read the 'ZEN
on the iPhone' Press Release
29th Sep 2010
Monitor your network with ZEN and Apple's iPad
With minimal development to take advantage of its touch screen capabilities, ZEN
is available to customers using Apple's iPad, making it a very transportable and
deployable system resource. Mainframe system management and intervention can now
be done from anywhere.
Liam Hammond, Managing Director of William Data Systems explained “Our customers
need to know 24/7, wherever they are, how their mission critical network systems
are performing. Our ZEN range of network management products already provides that
visibility and control. Now, this blend of cutting edge technology provides mobile
accessibility using the Apple iPad”.
Read the 'ZEN on
the iPad' Press Release
19th Aug 2010
Replace NetView™ or NetMaster™ with ZEN v2
IBM released NetView™ in 1986. Almost 25 years and 14 releases later the product
has morphed into a conglomeration of utilities and facilities, some of which may
be of questionable value today. Managing modern mainframe networks effectively and
efficiently requires a modern, cost-effective solution; a solution where you only
pay for the components that you need. That solution is ZEN.
ZEN is a user-friendly browser-based interface, free of all license fees for WDS
customers and includes a comprehensive set of core network management functions.
Optional ZEN components provide state-of-the-art capabilities for managing SNA,
IP, APPN/HPR, Enterprise Extender, FTP and OSA's.
The optional ZEN Automation component includes a full REXX function pack, providing
facilities to totally automate your z/OS network environments and even build your
own customized ZEN displays.
ZEN can provide a great deal of the function of NetView™ or NetMaster™
but at a fraction of the cost. Talk to WDS about how we can help you make truly
significant cost savings and improve the management of your network.
Read the ZEN version
2 Press Release
2nd Aug 2010
ZEN OSA MONITOR (ZOM)
We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of the latest addition to
our ZEN suite of Network Management products; ZEN OSA MONITOR (ZOM).
ZOM is a dedicated monitoring and management tool that enables you to see at a glance
how your Open Systems Adapters (OSAs) are performing.
The traditional approach to monitoring OSAs is to use an IP monitor, but their over-reliance
on IP data and inability to interrogate all the elements that make up an OSA will
result in an incomplete picture. Providing a truly uninhibited insight into these
immensely complex multi-protocol devices has not been possible, until now.
ZEN OSA MONITOR contains several unique capabilities, including the Health Check
and Soft Reset features. ZOM dynamically detects any status changes or increases
in error counts, with all such changes summarized in easy to read panels in ZEN,
with full alerting and reporting capabilities. A simple but effective system of
traffic lights highlight any changes to reference values, ensuring these critical
devices are maintained at optimal performance levels.
Contact your local WDS office for further details about
ZEN OSA MONITOR and our very low-cost introductory pricing.
12 Feb 2010
You can read
Trevor Eddolls independent review of ZOM on his mainframe blog:
here.
9 Marth 2010