The GSE UK Region Conference is an annual event which takes place in November for three days, generally in the Midlands or a virtual event in the first half of the year. These events are organised by the GSE Conference Committee, which is comprised of volunteers. This year it will be held from Monday, 4 November 2024, to Thursday, 7 November 2024.
Below you can find the talks from the Open Mainframe Project community ambassadors.
To register for the event, please check here.
| Time | Open Mainframe Project Track |
|---|---|
| 1:00 pm | Getting the most out of the Latest Features in Linux and KVM on IBM Z and LinuxONEThis session will start with a brief overview of all available Linux distributions on the IBM Z and LinuxONE platforms, before existing and upcoming features that are currently under development by IBM and the open source community are covered. The presentation will address both, IBM Z-specific features, as well as platform-independent developments which are relevant to Linux on IBM Z, and will end with the latest news on KVM on the platform. Stefan Raspl, IBM Europe |
| 2:00 pm | SSO is Packaged with the Modern Mainframe; Are You Ready to Leverage It?There is an increasing need for tools, processes and architecture that allow modern mainframers to move fast without sacrificing quality. APIs are key to providing quick and secure access to data on any platform. Come and learn how the Zowe API Mediation Layer is powering modern workflows with a secure single sign on experience from the network to the mainframe, across sysplexes and security domains. Elliot Jalley at Broadcom Mainframe Software, Jakub Balhar at Broadcom Mainframe Software |
| 3:00 pm | The Best of Both Worlds – Co-Locating z/OS and Linux on IBM ZWe will discuss how co-locating Linux can help z/OS users to get more value out of their existing deployments in particular, and the IBM Z platform in general. Guidance on how to get started is provided, covering (if applicable) choice of the right Linux distribution, the right environment to deploy to, and we will address common misperceptions regarding the new neighbors. We will then take a look at some technologies that can help to lift the efficiency of the overall architecture to the next level, and point out some highlights in the Linux on Z space that users might be interested in or at least should be aware of. Stefan Raspl at IBM Europe |
| 4:15 pm | Adoption, Innovation, and the Galasa Open Source JourneyExplore the unique trajectory of the Galasa Project, initially an internal IBM project created by the ideas of users and customers that found a home in the Open Mainframe Project. This talk shares personal experiences and lessons learnt of adoption and the practical lessons learned while establishing and developing a new project in the open source community. Join us as we unravel the challenges and triumphs encountered on the path of openness, collaboration, and innovation with Galasa. Louisa Seers at IBM UK LTD. |
| Time | Open Mainframe Project Track |
|---|---|
| 10:00 am | Diving into z/OS Open Source Development: An OverviewEver wondered how the z/OS Open Tools project ported over 200 open-source tools in just two years? This session will unveil the details behind our success and show you how you can get involved!
We'll delve into the world of z/OS open-source development and explore the tools and techniques that make it possible. Here's what you'll learn:
Modern Practices: Discover how we leverage Git and Github for efficient version control and how we utilize the new IBM Open XL C/C++ compilers to enable efficient porting
Building for z/OS: See how the zopen build frameworks and libraries like zoslib simplify the process of porting open-source tools to the z/OS platform.
Open Source DevOps in Action: Learn how we use Github Actions to automate testing on code submissions, as well as other tasks. Igor Todorovski, IBM |
| 11:15 am | Secure open source tooling for z/OSz/OS provides a wealth of secure tools from the open-source community to enable advanced development. In this talk we explore integrating open-source into all aspects of application development. First we look at using Python for Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, application development, and system automation. We also look at the Go programming language and the ease with which it permits rapid development of applications with the best security profile. Then we will look at z/OS Open Tools, which makes available critical open source software to the z/OS community. With z/OS Open Tools, z/OS users benefit from enhanced functionality and security, achieved through currency with community sources. Security is also enhanced on an ongoing basis through available vulnerability audits. Notably, z/OS Open Tools provides critical dev-ops tools such as Git, Vim, Bash, GNU Make, etc, supporting modern z/OS workloads, plus over 200 other popular tools and libraries. Chandni Dinani at IBM USA, Bill O'Farrell at IBM, Steven Pitman at IBM |
| 12:15 pm | Making The Mainframe Simple Again with the Zowe Explorer and Command Line InterfaceThe Zowe Explorer and Zowe CLI were created by a group of new to Z folks who wanted to have a cloud like command driven experience with z/OS without needing to work with a 3270 emulator or learn ISPF panels and TSO commands. Over time it became one of the cornerstones of The Open Mainframe Project’s Zowe technology components, and is currently used by 85% of mainframe shops to do everything from file transfers and querying job status, to being embedded in Devops automation scripts and automating workloads.
This session will cover the Zowe Explorer and CLI from basics and introductory, to more complex use cases with REXX and JCL symbol substitution, subsystem interaction with CICS, MQ and Db2, as well as the different ways to authenticate from basic passwords through to client certificates and multi factor authentication one time passwords alongside SSO tokens. This sessions will have demos throughout and be a great way to ask the presenter for “Can it do this” as well as give input to future content for both key components of mainframe modernization. Joe Winchester, IBM UK LTD. |
| 2:15 pm | Demystified: Put Your Web App on the Zowe Desktop in a FlashAre you a web developer with a great web app? Do you want to deploy it to the Zowe Desktop? Are you new to open source, or to Zowe? The Zowe Application Framework provides a quick solution: Plug your web app into a modified sample iframe app. It’s that simple. It’s possible to stand up your app on the desktop within an hour, then take advantage of features like persistence and app to app communications. The presenter will discuss what he learned, providing you the minimum necessary steps to insert your web app into the sample iframe app, and deploy the result. Included will be tips and tricks demystifying how to communicate with the iframe sandbox where your app lives, how to install and debug, and how to use the iframe zoweZlux API to provide enhanced Zowe interoperability. Donna Hudi at Phoenix Software International |
| 3:15 pm | Build Your Zowe Skills!Zowe Skills are mainframe skills, so do your mainframe career a favor and build them up! Join Open Mainframe Project Ambassador Darren Surch for a walk through the OMP's massive array of Zowe training resources including Zowe Docs, YouTube Channel, Zowe code, Free Trials, Blogs and a Slack Channel! There are even free, online, structured Zowe courses which earn you a bragworthy Open Mainframe Project digital badge to show the world your valuable Zowe skills! Darren Surch at Interskill Learning |
| 4:30 pm | Redefining developer experience on the Mainframe with AI and CommunityMainframes, while historically known for their security and reliability, are evolving rapidly with the integration of modern tools, DevOps practices, AI technologies, and advanced security frameworks. By leveraging tools like Zowe, Galasa and COBOL Check, along with AI-powered solutions, enterprises can future-proof their mainframe environments while maintaining the security and performance they’ve come to rely on.
In this session, Donna Hudi, CMO at Phoenix Software International and Chair of the Open Mainframe Project Marketing Committee, will unveil a few new projects under the Open Mainframe Project umbrella that advance developer experience on the mainframe. Donna Hudi, Phoenix Software International |
| Time | Open Mainframe Project Track |
|---|---|
| 10:00 am | Can AI learn COBOL? Introducing Zorse: an initiative to train AI for the mainframeLarge Language Models need to be trained on high-quality source code to be useful to programmers. This is in short supply for mainframe languages. Enter Zorse: a new Open Mainframe Project initiative that’s collecting a dataset of mainframe source code and a toolbox to train and evaluate LLMs on mainframe languages. Gabriel Gordon-Hall from bloop AI Limited |
| 11:15 am | Building Collaborative and Vibrant Financial Services Engineering CommunitiesDive into the dynamic world of financial services and open source community building with James McLeod, NatWest Group Open Source Program Lead. Drawing from his experience building engineering communities at React London - Bring Your Own Project, London.JS, Lloyds Banking Group and FINOS, James has sculpted thriving ecosystems that drive innovation and collaboration.
Join us to unravel the secrets behind James' success in fostering vibrant communities that redefine the intersection of finance and technology. Explore the power of community-driven development and the future collaboration will play in building Open Source and InnerSource at NatWest Group. James McLeod at National Westminster Bank (NatWest) |
| 12:15 pm | Reflections on Open Source LeadershipThis talk discusses the challenges and successes of leading an open source project such as the Open Mainframe Project. What would we like our leadership to do? How would we like them to see the world differently? Donna Hudi at Phoenix Software International, Louisa Seers at IBM UK Ltd., Elliot Jalley at Broadcom Mainframe Software, James McLeod at National Westminster Bank (NatWest) and JJ Lovett at Broadcom Mainframe Software |
| 2:15 pm | Talk 1: The Future of the Mainframe is here with Zowe LTS V3 & Talk 2: Get Fully Wired – Connect, Learn, Grow, and AdvocateThere will be two presentations happening at this time slot.
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| 3:15 pm | Customer success stories with ZoweSince Zowe was announced 6 years ago it has grown in popularity at mainframe shops where 85% report they have deployed it in their shops. This session will cover the landscape of the most common and popular deployment use cases, from education to new to Z folks, to underpinning Db2 tooling, DevOps and scripting, custom dashboards built around the SDK, as well as fronting enterprise APIs for line of business workload. Joe Winchester at IBM UK LTD and Murali Panchalingam at IBM UK LTD |
| 4:30 pm | zopen community – Modernizing z/OS through Open Sourcezopen community - Modernizing z/OS through Open Source William O'Farrell, IBM |
| Time | Open Mainframe Project Track |
|---|---|
| 10:00 am | Zowe, Azure Pipelines, and the Cloud-ZOS Nexus: A DevOps OdysseyIn this session, we embark on an exciting journey where Zowe and Azure Pipelines converge to revolutionize DevOps practices. Explore how Zowe acts enabling seamless communication between cloud-native tools and the venerable z/OS environment. Witness the power of bridging these worlds. Learn how to construct reusable Azure Pipeline templates that transcend project boundaries. Discover best practices for sharing templates across different pipelines, promoting consistency and efficiency. Dive into securing your connections. We’ll demystify the process of setting up certificates for secure communication between Azure Pipelines and z/OS. Safeguard your data with confidence.
Join us as we unravel the mysteries of mainframe-cloud harmony, empowering DevOps teams to thrive in this interconnected landscape. William Pereira at Cognizant |
| 11:15 am | Zowe Server Install Wizard (ZEN) – The “Easy Button” for Zowe InstallationDiscover how Zowe Server Install Wizard (ZEN) simplifies the deployment of Zowe with its intuitive, wizard-driven configuration guide. Effortlessly leverage powerful features like variable value validation, real-time security checks, certificate management support, and configuration file validation—all with just a few clicks. Join us to experience firsthand how Zowe Server Install Wizard (ZEN) can enhance your workflow right from your desktop! Jan Prihoda at Broadcom Mainframe Software |
| 12:15 pm | Demonstrating Zowe containers with IBM z/OS Container PlatformLearn more about the benefits and challenges of the IBM z/OS Container Platform using Zowe as an example. Run Zowe in Kubernetes natively deployed on z/OS as shown in the demonstration at the end of the session. Zowe, Kubernetes and IBM z/OS Container Platform can improve your integration into a hybrid environment while retaining the stability and security for which z/OS is renowned. Chris Hodgins at IBM |
| 2:15 pm | Build End-to-End Automation in Just 3 Days with Ansible and Open Source Tools – No Problem!In this session, you'll discover how to leverage Ansible and open source tools to create a fully automated self-service portal to deploy application or infrastructure changes to the target Mainframe system. Germanas Samrickis at Rocket Software UK Ltd |
| 3:15 pm | Preparing for the Installation and Configuration of Zowe API Mediation LayerIn this session, we will review the various Zowe API ML configuration options and help you decide which is best for your company. We will include relevant Zowe server-side configuration details and cover topics you should keep in mind when preparing your configuration so that you can configure with confidence. Jakub Balhar at Broadcom Mainframe Software |
