CA Extend/DASD Modernization Guide

CA Extend/DASD automatically compresses and uncompresses VSAM datasets. This compression is transparent to applications and utilities, meaning they do not need to be modified to work with compressed data.

CA Extend/DASD is a system-level software that integrates into the z/OS and z/VSE operating environments. It is not an application in the traditional sense, but rather a system enhancement that modifies how VSAM datasets are handled.

Organizations that manage large volumes of VSAM data on z/OS or z/VSE mainframes can benefit from CA Extend/DASD. These organizations are often in industries such as banking, insurance, retail, and government, where data storage costs are significant.

A company should consider CA Extend/DASD when the cost of storing VSAM datasets becomes a significant portion of their IT budget. It is also beneficial when performance is impacted by the size of VSAM datasets, as compression can improve I/O times.

Alternatives to CA Extend/DASD include other VSAM compression products, such as Capacity Plus for VSAM. Organizations can also choose to manage VSAM data without compression, but this may result in higher storage costs and reduced performance.

CA Extend/DASD requires a z/OS or z/VSE operating environment. It integrates directly with the VSAM subsystem and does not typically require additional hardware. The software is deployed on-premise.

Yes, CA Extend/DASD runs within an LPAR on z/OS. It is dependent on the z/OS operating system and VSAM subsystem.

CA Extend/DASD operates transparently to applications. This means that existing applications and utilities that access VSAM datasets do not require modification to work with compressed data. The compression and decompression are handled automatically by CA Extend/DASD.

While CA Extend/DASD primarily focuses on VSAM datasets, it can indirectly impact other areas of the system. For example, reduced storage requirements can lead to lower overall system costs. Improved I/O performance can also benefit applications that access VSAM data.

The primary business value of CA Extend/DASD is reduced storage costs. By compressing VSAM datasets, organizations can store more data on the same amount of storage hardware. This can lead to significant savings, especially for organizations with large VSAM datasets.

CA Extend/DASD can improve application performance by reducing the amount of data that needs to be read from and written to disk. Compressed datasets require less I/O, which can lead to faster response times for applications that access VSAM data.

CA Extend/DASD helps organizations manage their data more efficiently by reducing the amount of storage space required. This can simplify data management tasks such as backup and recovery. It also helps in capacity planning by extending the life of existing storage infrastructure.

CA Extend/DASD does not introduce new security vulnerabilities. It operates transparently to applications, so existing security measures remain in place. Access to VSAM datasets is still controlled by the operating system and security software.

CA Extend/DASD integrates with existing security systems on z/OS and z/VSE. It does not replace or modify these systems. Access control is still managed by RACF, ACF2, or Top Secret.

The compression algorithms used by CA Extend/DASD do not inherently weaken the security of the data. The data is still protected by the same access controls and encryption methods as uncompressed data.

CA Extend/DASD is typically deployed on-premise. The implementation process involves installing the software on the z/OS or z/VSE system and configuring it to compress VSAM datasets. This requires technical expertise in mainframe systems and VSAM data management.

Ongoing operational requirements include monitoring the performance of CA Extend/DASD and ensuring that it is compressing datasets effectively. Regular maintenance is also required to keep the software up to date and address any issues that may arise.

Common implementation challenges include ensuring that CA Extend/DASD is compatible with existing applications and utilities. It is also important to carefully plan the implementation to minimize disruption to existing operations.