OpenFrame
| Developer(s) | TmaxSoft |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Unix, Linux |
| Type | Web Server |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | www |
OpenFrame is a Mainframe legacy rehosting solution that enables mainframe assets in a mainframe legacy system to be migrated to a more reliable and high performance open system. OpenFrame has been chosen as the replacement IT infrastructure for many leading companies around the world. [1]
OpenFrame is comprised of a number of different elements required to provide replacement features and functionality for a legacy mainframe system to be migrated and run in an open system environment. These correspond to elements of a mainframe system and include; OpenFrame Online, OpenFrame Batch, OpenFrame OSC for IBM CICS, OpenFrame OSI for IBM IMS, OpenFrame Web, OpenFrame TACF, OpenStudio and SysMaster for OpenFrame.
OpenFrame can be used to Migrate the applications resources and datasets from Legacy IBM, Fujitsu and Hitachi mainframe systems. In the majority of cases applications run on a mainframe system can be automatically converted to run in an Open Environment with little or no change to the original source code or business logic.
History
OpenFrame for IBM MainFrame was launched in 2002.[2]
OpenFrame OSC 6.0 was released in November 2009.[3]
The most recent version OpenFrame OSC 7.0 was released in 2013.
The following table shows the release dates of OpenFrame Software versions for IBM MF, Fujitsu MF and Hitachi MF, the COBOL Compiler and OpenStudio.
| Product/Year | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSC | 2.0 | - | 4.0 | - | 6.0 | - | - | - | 7.0 |
| OSI | - | - | 2.0 | - | 3.0 | - | - | - | 4.0 |
| MVS Batch | 2.0 | - | 4.0 | - | 5.0 | - | - | - | 5.2 |
| COBOL Compiler | |||||||||
| OFCOBOL | - | - | - | - | - | v-alpha | - | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| OpenStudio | (Eclipse) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Fujitsu Mainframe | |||||||||
| AIM | - | 2.0 | - | 3.0 | - | - | - | - | 4.0 |
| XSP Batch | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2.2 |
| MSP Batch | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | - | 2.2 |
| NDB | - | 2.0 | - | 3.0 | - | - | - | - | 4.0 |
| OpenStudio | - | - | - | (Eclipse) | - | - | - | - | - |
| Hitachi Mainframe | |||||||||
| VOS3 Batch | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | 3.0 |
| ADM/DC | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | 3.0 |
| ADM/DB | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | 3.0 |
| OpenStudio | - | - | - | - | - | - | (Eclipse) | - | - |
Features
The main feature of OpenFrame is that it is possible to migrate applications, resources, and data from a mainframe system to an open system, without modifying the original business logic. [4]
Switching to OpenFrame® can reduce the TCO (60%) of the existing system.[5],[6],[7].
The main components of an OpenFrame solution are as follows:
- OpenFrame Online
OpenFrame Online handles user requested programs and allows CICS / IMS programs to run without modification to the original source code or changes to functionality.
- OpenFrame Batch
OpenFrame/Batch is used to run JCL batch jobs in OpenFrame. These are typically run after hours. OpenFrame/Batch offers the following features:
JCL and batch applications can be migrated from a mainframe and run without modification to the original source code or the business logic and therefore avoiding the risks caused by program redevelopment.
New batch jobs can be developed easily by using applications provided by the UNIX system.
If real or virtual nodes fail unexpectedly, OpenFrame's fail-over functions automatically reroute transactions to other available nodes. After the node failure is detected, an automatic recovery of the failed node can be performed by the Tmax server.
OpenFrame Batch provides a host of tools to migrate applications from the mainframe to an open system environment, as well as the libraries needed to develop new tools and utilities. Many of the utility programs used in the existing MVS JCL can be executed in a batch environment.
- OpenFrame TACF
Security and permission management is provided by OpenFrame TACF which is comparable to RACF in a mainframe system. OpenFrame/TACF uses a Tmax CS (client/server) type interface, as well as API type interfaces. The main features of OpenFrame/TACF are as follows:
User Authentication: Users must possess a valid ID and password to access resources within OpenFrame.
Resource Access Control: The administrator can define the specific resources that each user can access.
Resource Access Log: TACF records a range of system statistics, such as connection times, access counts, resources
accessed, etc. These log records are the source for providing statistical reports and analyzing user behavior and resource usage trends.
- SysMaster for OpenFrame
Tmax SysMaster is an APM solution that manages a wide range of enterprise system components. It supports efficient resource management by enabling identification of IT infrastructure status and error causes and supporting statistics analysis for applications such as WAS Web Application Servers, TP-Monitors, databases, and frameworks.
- OpenStudio
OpenStudio is a GUI-based tool for analysis, control, and development of the processes for OpenFrame. It provides effective monitoring and optimization functions for the system environment.
OpenStudio consists of a client application and RMI Based Objects. The client Application (OpenStudio Client)is based on the Eclipse Rich Client Platform and a Java server (OpenStudio Server) for interfacing and secure handling of the OpenFrame system. The structure of OpenStudio Server follows the master/agent model. The master is responsible for communications within the OpenFrame system, and the agent is responsible for communicating with particular machines.
The RMI (Remote Method Invocation) based objects such as OSM, DEV, DEP, OMC, BM and TM, contain client modules developed by the Eclipse Project. Modules are standalone allowing easy updates, development, customization and inter-operability.
The main features of OpenStudio are as follows:
Easy-to-use user interface:
As a tool which provides an overall user interface needed to operate OpenFrame, OpenStudio provides a Java Eclipse Rich Client based console. Users can manage the system from the comfort of a familiar environment through a user-friendly-designed UI, even when they do not have sufficient knowledge of the UNIX operating system or OpenFrame.
TACF authentication:
If the authentication type within the common.properties file is set up as TACF, authentication
function can be interlocked with OpenFrame’s own TACF to authenticate users and resources.
In this case, user permissions are controlled by the TACF manager allowing a high degree
of flexibility in user management policies.
Built-in database support:
If the user-processed information needs to be recorded, OpenStudio uses "HSQLDB" internally
to store them (e.g. DEV module's compilation information for each project and DEP module's
request deployment information, etc.).
Databases other than HSQLDB are also compatible through the db.properties file.
Automatic update:
When multiple users login, the updated modules are downloaded automatically, without user
input required, maintaining the latest modules allowing easy roll-out of patches and new
features.
Failover and load balancing:
OSM manages the master and agent directly, providing load balancing for multiple connections
and a failover mechanism in case of server error.
OpenFrame also provides a COBOL Compiler which is compliant with COBOL85 standard and IBM Extension language specifications and supports VSCOBOLII and MFCOBOL dialects
Further Reading
OpenFrame White_Paper: Legacy Modernization through Rehosting http://www.platformmodernization.org/tmaxsoft/Lists/ResearchPapers/Attachments/2/OpenFrame_White_Paper.pdf
References
- ^ http://www.tmaxsoft.com/bbs.do?cms_cd=ABO_10. Retrieved 2014-02-27.
- ^ http://www.tmaxsoft.com/bbs.do?cms_cd=ABO_10. Retrieved 2014-02-27.
- ^ http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/tmaxsoft-launches-openframe-60-to-us-market-1173849.htm . Retrieved 2014-02-27.
- ^ OpenFrame White_Paper: Legacy Modernization through Rehosting http://www.platformmodernization.org/tmaxsoft/Lists/ResearchPapers/Attachments/2/OpenFrame_White_Paper.pdf. Retrieved 2014-02-27.
- ^ http://eyeball.bloter.net/archives/1674. In Korean. Retrieved 2014-02-27.
- ^ http://www.tmaxsoft.com/product/productView.do. Retrieved 2014-02-27.
- ^ Mainframe Rehosting with TmaxSoft OpenFrame(TM) Drives Cost Savings at LIG Insurance. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Mainframe+Rehosting+with+TmaxSoft+OpenFrame(TM)+Drives+Cost+Savings...-a0153696536. Retrieved 2014-02-27.