Here’s everything to know about IBM’s AS400

How many programmers/developers around you know or want to know about AS400? Maybe a very few or maybe none. AS400 is considered dead but the latest IBM Power systems with IBM i are still one of the robust and reliable system architectures used by many organizations. Although it is one of the legacy systems but its modified versions have excellent OS and documentation. This blog will take you on a quick journey of when, how and why of AS400, all the subsequent versions and operating systems.

AS400-Why and What?

IBM released an easy to use computer series named as AS400 for small businesses and enterprises. These mid-range computer series delivered better performance and high data security as compared to other computer systems in the 80’s.

A brief history…

The history of AS400 dates back to the year 1988. Before that, IBM had launched its System38 in 1979 along with a complete product line-System3, System32, System34, System36. Later, AS400 was launched with the OS OS400 which was able to move the programs written for System34 and System36 to AS400.

If you are not much familiar with this technology, then you might not know what does AS mean? It is the abbreviation for ‘Application system’ and the reason it is called so is because it is based on the applications and not on the processor.

The first language supported by this system was RPG and then the subsequent versions of RPG followed as the system enhanced. It now comes in various sets like RPG IV, OVM and ILE.

Gradually, other versions and modifications of AS400 rolled out:

In 2000 AS400 was modified to eServer iSeries

In 2006 iSeries was modified to IBM System i

In 2008 all the products in System i and p series were modified and launched as IBM Power Systems.

Updates also happened in the operating system, below is the complete table for your reference

Year Hardware OS
1988 AS400 OS400
2000 iSeries OS400
2006 System i i5/OS
2008 Power System IBM i

Have a sneak peek into the architecture

Though easy to use for the users, IBM i has a complex internal architecture. It is integrated with hardware, software, security, a database and other components. AS400, now IBM Power system is quite advanced, unique, is extremely adaptable and can readily incorporate new technologies. IBM i is designed keeping the software and hardware separate so changes in one do not affect the other. This happens through the Machine Interface (MI) which is a software programming interface between the application, the operating system and hardware. This is how the AS400 owns independent software and hardware sections. In fact, the operating system in AS400/ IBM power systems comes integrated with in built database, wherein the user will not have to make any installations separately.

The file system in IBM i is an integrated file system (IFS). This means, applications written on other file systems like PC, UNIX, etc., can access data stored on AS400.

From AS400 to IBM i-quick updates

Albeit, so many controversies and lack of interest in people, the technology has its own beauty. The biggest feature of the IBM i system is that it is object oriented from the inception. To understand better, as Linux treats everything as a file including devices like printers, IBM i treats everything as an object.

Language supported by AS400/IBM i- series This OS supports a pack of languages like RPG, assembly language, C, C++, Pascal, Java, EGL, Perl, Smalltalk, COBOL, SQL, BASIC, PHP, PL/I, Python and REXX.

Languages like C, C++, COBOL, RPG, FORTRAN, and CL are restricted to be used into the same executable and call procedures written in any of the other ILE languages.

Other tools supported are: Synon Accelerator, LANSA, IBM Rational Business Developer Extension Uniface and GeneXus, CA Plex (formerly AllFusion Plex)

Important characteristics of IBM i

Object based kernel: As we discussed earlier too, AS400 or IBM i OS considers every file/device as an object. This clearly states that IBM i OS has other special features as compared to other operating systems. One of it is single level storage which assures stability and security for an enterprise system.
Integrated components offerings: IBM i series is special as it comes integrated with many core functions and tools. For example, you will find web applications servers, web services server, a file system, DB2, i RDBMS and more. This integrated system is extremely robust and efficient as it can perform more than 300 tasks ranging from backup, recovery, communication to operations and security.
Administrator interface: While using Windows or Linux you might have come across a lot of tools that you need extra to boost your system’s administrative efforts. In the case of IBM i system you can use IBM autonomic technologies to perform many low priority tasks.

PowerVM: The availability of PowerVM in all IBM power systems avoids the use of large amount of hardware. This reduces the complexity of administration as well as your energy costs. Power VM is a solution to minimise workload that helps clients control costs and improves overall performance, availability, flexibility and energy efficiency.

Firmware virtualization solution: When you talk about VMware, XEN or HyperV the major drawback that occurs is that these are software based and not firmware based. This generally leads to degradation of performance. You need a firmware virtualization solution to know what efficiency really means, and IBM i series is the one stop solution.

Since inception AS400 promises reliability and security, is it really true?

OS400, the operating system in AS400 server provided 5 security settings value from 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 since it ventured. Though value 10 setting has become obsolete and removed from the the latest IBM i system, other 4 values remain and are used according to the business requirements of organizations.

Level 10: It promised no security at all. It did not require any password to ## sign into terminal session. Therefore this level has been removed.

Level 20: It provides sign on password security which means once logged in users will have access to all the objects on the system. It was once used as a default setting in the system.

Level 30: Provides object authority to the users. Users require object level access planning and implementation.

Level 40: This level is now the default setting in all the IBM i system. It ensures integrity protection and separates the user domain from the system domain. All the requests that are made from unapproved interfaces are not allowed.

Level 50: Adds additional integrity protection features which meet the U.S. Department of Defence “C2” security requirements.

It is recommended that organizations go for the highest security settings as this ensures fool proof protection of data. Well, it completely depends on your system capabilities and software, so make sure that your software run on the OS with level 40 security settings as it is the default in every system.

If not level 40, Level 30 can be used if you have software issues on implementing level 40. But while using level 30 you should be confident enough on how to implement object access controls. One best way to maintain object level access controls is through the proper use of OS/400 Group Profiles. Break up your user community and create certain group profiles for each set and then implement your access controls on the group profiles rather than providing coding controls for each individual user profile. Beware when dealing with the special group profile
*PUBLIC as this can spoil all your planning efforts.

When we talk about Level 20, security issues arise. Therefore this level should be avoided most of the times.

But what if you are using legacy system set at level 20 or 30?
There’s nothing to worry about, as moving from level 30 and higher is easy, you just have to change the system value. If you are dicey about using your third-party software on upgraded system then you can activate audit logging few weeks before changing the level and see if there are any problems. This process will make it easier to switch from level 30 to above.

In case of moving from level 20 to level 30, process can be a bit tedious. Generally, the issue arises with legacy system as those previously depended on application security and menu controls as their primary safeguards.

More Power to the ‘POWER Processors’

The first power processor saw its existence in the then AS400 servers. Gradually, these processors improved and found the way to the IBM Power systems. The modern day processors are very capable of running AIX, IBM i and Linux. The year 2018 saw the rise of IBM power9 servers which launched with the 9th generation of POWER processors.

IBM i is widely used in organizations and industries where reliability, efficiency and security are the top priorities. It is mainly used for ERP and many mission critical assignments. Latest versions of AS400, the IBM power systems are useful for SAP users and Oracle database users.

As many organizations are switching to cloud hosting, the IBM i cloud is giving a large amount of support in the same. IBM works with its channel partners to deliver the best to its users and also provides customized cloud solutions.

Not only this, as till now only IBM was the one to provide cloud based power systems, now Google has also partnered with IBM to run IBM power systems on Google cloud.

Why AS400 is rarely seen, in spite being powerful?

There are certain reasons which have led to challenges for the usage of AS400 or IBM i today. In spite of its cutting edge technology and day to day up gradations, this system has faced issues:

People or young programmers are not interested in learning this technology as they think it is obsolete. AS400 was launched in 1988 and has had various versions after that, this is the reason it is considered outdated. But this is not true!
Another reason organizations are not relying on AS400 or IBM i is because most of the talent is at the retiring age and no young programmers are exploring this technology. A massive brain drain due to maximum people leaving or retiring is also affecting this field of development.

But it is still the heart of large scale organizations…

AS400 now known as IBM i is updated and modified according to modern technology. As it still has its foundation based on AS400, data security and authenticity is above all. Industries like finance, logistics, insurance, manufacturing, transportation etc. are using this legacy technology in a modernized way.

According to Enlyft around 35000+ companies are using IBM i and most of them are in the United States. The report also shows industry wise segmentation of the IBM i users worldwide.

Top industries that use IBM i

AS400 Programming Green Screen
Source: https://enlyft.com/tech/products/ibm-as-400

Looking at these figures one thing is clear that this technology is not gone but is an integral part for many big tech giants.

Below are the major reasons why top companies still believe in the power of IBM i
IBM i is quite scalable as it can easily start with a 4 core server and can gradually go up to 250 core machines.
The correct configuration and setup makes it the most secure system
It is reliable as it showcases high availability of enterprise features and tools.
IBM i easily supports both native and open source languages like RPG, Java, php, C++, .Net, SQL

It avoids code migrations whenever the system is updated
AS400 was developed to deliver high redundancy and reliability, similarly the CPUs in IBM i Series are 3 to 5 times much better than other brands.

AS400 might not be in the picture as it is but makes the foundation for power systems integrated with IBM i.

IBM i is today and tomorrow-In the end…

Many technocrats have considered AS400 as dead and obsolete, but looking at the facts, and characteristics, importance of this system in its updated format today, cannot be ignored. Although it has lost a lot of value overtime but it is still one of the most integral systems for enterprises, manufacturing industries, finance and more. In fact, the young programmers who are looking to pursue their career as IBM i Programmers should not be discouraged because this system has its roots from the past and is growing along with us. All the versions of the hardware and OS have been modified with almost all the latest features and technology, offering more than any other system. Even the IBM i cloud is capturing the market and giving a tough competition to many other cloud platforms.

The recent update about Google partnering with IBM to run the power systems on Google cloud has simply indicated that these cloud based power systems are the need for many enterprises.

You must have heard this saying ‘Old is Gold’ and this proves to be very right in the case of AS400. As this technology has grown with time, the latest IBM i series comes integrated with all the solutions for every IT problem.

To explore this hidden gem of technology and know how it can help your business or if you are looking to hire programmers for this legacy technology connect with us. RPGLE programmers are here for you.

Originally Published at : Everything to know about IBMi “AS400 / i-Series”