Case Study: Mainframe Migration

Introduction

A preeminent National Security IT provider, faced the challenge of modernizing its IT
infrastructure to maintain its mission requirements. As part of its IT transformation, this IT
provider decided to migrate from its aging mainframe to a new, more powerful mainframe
system. The migration included upgrading the zOS operating system, integrating new
organizational Storage and Virtual Tape devices, and ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing
business operations. This case study outlines the critical steps taken during the migration, the
challenges encountered, and the outcomes achieved.

Project Overview

• The project aimed to migrate a national security IT provider’s mainframe environment to
  a new platform, aligning with industry trends towards mainframe modernization as
  highlighted by Gartner.
• The scope included mainframe migration, storage integration, software installation, OS
  upgrade, data migration, and application testing, reflecting a comprehensive approach to
  mainframe transformation.

Phases and Key Activities

• Phase 1: Planning and Preparation
  ○ Thorough assessment of the existing environment and stakeholder engagement,
  emphasizing the importance of discovery and planning in complex migrations.
  ○ Development of a detailed project plan with risk management strategies, aligning
  with industry best practices for project management.

• Phase 2: Hardware Installation and Integration
  ○ Integration of new storage and virtual tape devices, potentially leveraging
  technologies like IBM DS8000 or TS7700.
  ○ Installation of TDMF across multiple LPARs, utilizing a key IBM utility for data
  migration.
  ○ Challenges included compatibility issues and resource allocation, highlighting the
  technical complexities of mainframe integration.

• Phase 3: Operating System Upgrade
  ○ Upgrade of the source mainframe z/OS to version 2.2, capitalizing on the latest
  features and security enhancements of IBM’s flagship mainframe operating
  system.
  ○ Extensive testing and validation post-upgrade, ensuring system stability and
  performance.
  ○ Challenges included downtime management and system validation, common
  concerns in major OS upgrades.

• Phase 4: Data Migration
  ○ Migration of DASD storage and full disk and tape data using TDMF, showcasing
  the non-disruptive capabilities of IBM’s data migration tool.
  ○ Challenges included data integrity and performance monitoring, emphasizing the
  need for careful oversight during data transfer.

• Phase 5: Customer Application Testing
  ○ Rigorous testing of customer applications, including functional, performance, and
  user acceptance testing (UAT), reflecting a comprehensive testing strategy.
  ○ Challenges included application compatibility and user training, highlighting the
  importance of change management in mainframe migrations.

• Phase 6: Project Completion and Handover
  ○ Final review, stakeholder sign-off, and handover to the IT operations team,
  ensuring a smooth transition to the new environment.