COMMON POWERUp 2024

The IBM i OS network communications has changed a lot since the AS/400 primarily communicated to workstations and printers using Twinax and to other computer systems using specialized communications lines. In some ways things are more complex because our IBM i OS systems communicate to a lot of other devices in many different ways, but in other ways things are simpler today because nearly all network communications are built on top of the foundation of Ethernet and TCP/IP.

This session will take a look at these foundation Ethernet and TCP/IP and how they are built up within the IBM i OS. We will look at your communications adapters, Line Descriptions, and IP addresses, subnets, routes and more including the commands and interfaces used to manage these.

We will also look at some of the most commonly used networking servers like Telnet and FTP and cover their basics of configuration, management and even troubleshooting.

Learning Objectives:

Network statistics are collected by interface and port for specified systems every 300 seconds. Since clients and servers connect to the system randomly; collecting information over time assures that a good representative sample of actual traffic is detected. This information can be leveraged for Traffic Analysis (for measuring workloads and performance); and for Security Analysis (for determining active ports and services). Three SQL routines will be reviewed.

Learning Objectives:
We will review the Collection routine; which is mostly just running NETSTAT_INFO every 300 seconds….
We will review the Traffic Analysis code; and results.
We will review a simple use for Security Analysis.

The IBM i OS network communications has changed a lot since the AS/400 primarily communicated to workstations and printers using Twinax and to other computer systems using specialized communications lines. In some ways things are more complex because our IBM i OS systems communicate to a lot of other devices in many different ways, but in other ways things are simpler today because nearly all network communications are built on top of the foundation of Ethernet and TCP/IP. Your IBM i OS Networking health is very important and is it how most of your data and applications are accessed. This session will take a look at approaches to monitoring this IBM i OS Networking health and it's interaction with the network, how to collection diagnostic data and how to troubleshoot problems.

Learning Objectives: