Mainframe Topology Modernization Guide
Mainframe Topology is a data discovery, mining and processing product by Broadcom. Explore technical details, modernization strategies, and migration paths below.
Product Overview
Mainframe Topology discovers z/OS assets and their relationships by analyzing SMF records.
By leveraging SMF data, Mainframe Topology helps optimize resource allocation, reduce operational risks, and improve problem resolution times.
Modernization Strategies
Rehost
- Timeline:
- 6-12 months
Lift-and-shift to cloud infrastructure with minimal code changes. Fast migration with lower risk.
Refactor (Recommended)
- Timeline:
- 18-24 months
Optimize application architecture for cloud while preserving business logic. Best ROI long-term.
Replatform
- Timeline:
- 3-5 years
Complete rewrite to cloud-native architecture with microservices and modern tech stack.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is Mainframe Topology and what does it do?
Mainframe Topology discovers z/OS assets and their relationships by analyzing SMF records. It provides insights into application dependencies and system configurations.
What data sources does Mainframe Topology use?
Mainframe Topology relies on SMF records as its primary data source. It does not require agents to be installed on the z/OS systems being monitored.
How is Mainframe Topology installed?
The tool is distributed with Ops/MVS. Consult the Ops/MVS documentation for installation instructions.
Technical
What types of assets can Mainframe Topology discover?
Mainframe Topology analyzes SMF records to identify z/OS assets, including applications, CICS regions, IMS systems, DB2 subsystems, and their interdependencies. It uses these records to build a topology map.
How does Mainframe Topology determine the relationships between assets?
Mainframe Topology uses SMF records, specifically those related to system activity and resource usage, to infer relationships between z/OS assets. The specific SMF record types processed are detailed in the product documentation.
Does Mainframe Topology have an API for integration with other tools?
While specific API details are not publicly documented, integration is achieved through standard data exchange formats that can be consumed by other monitoring and analytics tools.
Business Value
What is the business value of Mainframe Topology?
By visualizing application dependencies and system configurations, Mainframe Topology helps organizations optimize resource allocation, reduce operational risks, and improve problem resolution times.
How does Mainframe Topology help with change management?
Understanding the relationships between mainframe assets allows for more efficient change management processes, minimizing the impact of changes on critical applications.
Security
How does Mainframe Topology address security concerns?
Mainframe Topology leverages the security features inherent in z/OS and the SMF records it analyzes. Access to SMF data is controlled by z/OS security mechanisms.
What authentication methods are supported?
Access to the SMF records used by Mainframe Topology is governed by z/OS security controls, including RACF, ACF2, or Top Secret. These tools provide role-based access control.
Operations
What are the operational considerations for Mainframe Topology?
Mainframe Topology relies on the availability of SMF records. Ensure that SMF recording is properly configured on the z/OS systems being monitored.
How do I ensure Mainframe Topology is discovering the correct information?
Regularly review the SMF record types processed by Mainframe Topology to ensure they align with the assets and relationships you want to discover.
Ready to Start Your Migration?
Download our comprehensive migration guide for Mainframe Topology or calculate your ROI.