Access Mainframes....

ray.wurlod · Post by **ray.wurlod** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 1:13 am

No.
DataStage 390 does not give you any access to data on the mainframe, nor does it give any access to metadata on the mainframe.
There is therefore no Browse capability.

Metadata must be captured into a COBOL file definition (CFD) file or into a DCLGen file if from DB2/390. This file is then moved to the DataStage client - typically via FTP - from which DataStage can import the "table definitions".

Similarly, DataStage generates a COBOL source file and two JCL files (one to compile, one to run the COBOL on the mainframe). These are uploaded to the mainframe from the Generate window in Designer.

The most difficult part is overcoming the politics to get permission to run these JCL scripts!

So the overall answer remains "no".

Ray Wurlod
Education and Consulting Services
ABN 57 092 448 518

kjanes · Post by **kjanes** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 8:18 am

It's not entirely clear what type of data on the mainframe you are trying to access. Sequential files, a Database on the mainframe, etc... One could imply sequential files based on you choosing the CFF stage.

The only reason I mention this is because if you were trying to reach DB2 Mainframe data for instance, you can accomplish that on the server side using the DB2 stage and connecting to a DB2 gateway that resides on an AIX/Unix box. I am not sure if the same can be said for the other database types.

There are limitations to this method but for simple to moderate ETL is can be effective without requiring DataStage 390.

If you are trying to access Sequential Files on the mainframe then Ray's answer holds true.

Kevin Janes