Rocket Data Virtualization Modernization Guide
Rocket Data Virtualization is a legacy application/data access product by Rocket Software. Explore technical details, modernization strategies, and migration paths below.
Product Overview
Rocket Data Virtualization enables applications on UNIX and Windows to access mainframe data sources, including IMS databases, DB2 databases, and mainframe files.
To get started, define your data sources using the administrative interface.
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 Rocket Data Virtualization?
Rocket Data Virtualization provides access to mainframe data sources, including IMS and DB2 databases, and mainframe files, from distributed environments.
What environments does it support?
It supports ODBC and JDBC, allowing applications on UNIX and Windows to access mainframe data.
What are the main benefits of using Rocket Data Virtualization?
The key benefit is enabling distributed applications to leverage valuable mainframe data without complex migrations or code changes.
Technical
What are the most common operations performed?
Common operations include defining data sources, mapping data fields, executing SQL queries, and managing user access.
What types of APIs does it expose?
Rocket Data Virtualization exposes APIs such as REST and SOAP for integration with other systems.
What are the main system components?
The main components include the Data Virtualization Server, the Metadata Repository, and the Data Adapters.
How is configuration managed?
Configuration is managed through a combination of configuration files and administrative interfaces.
Business Value
How does Rocket Data Virtualization improve business value?
Rocket Data Virtualization allows organizations to leverage their existing mainframe investments by making data accessible to modern applications, improving business agility and decision-making.
How does it reduce costs?
By providing a centralized data access layer, it reduces the complexity and cost associated with traditional data integration methods.
How does it improve business agility?
It enables real-time access to mainframe data, allowing businesses to respond quickly to changing market conditions.
Security
What authentication methods are supported?
Rocket Data Virtualization supports authentication methods such as LDAP, SAML 2.0, and X.509 certificates.
What access control model is used?
It uses a role-based access control (RBAC) model to manage user permissions and access to data.
What encryption is used and where?
Data is encrypted both in transit and at rest using industry-standard encryption algorithms.
What audit/logging capabilities exist?
Comprehensive audit logging captures all data access and modification activities, providing a detailed audit trail for compliance purposes.
Operations
What administrative interfaces are available?
Administrative interfaces include a command-line interface (CLI) and a web-based console.
How is user management handled?
User management is handled through the administrative interface, allowing administrators to create, modify, and delete user accounts and assign roles.
What are the main configuration parameters?
Key configuration parameters include data source definitions, connection settings, and security policies.
What monitoring/logging capabilities exist?
Monitoring and logging capabilities provide real-time insights into system performance and data access patterns.
Ready to Start Your Migration?
Download our comprehensive migration guide for Rocket Data Virtualization or calculate your ROI.