It’s Here: ClearPath® OS 2200 Release
18.0 is Now Available!

By Adam Gallagher, ClearPath OS 2200 Product Manager, Unisys

ClearPath® OS 2200 Release 18.0 is here!

The latest major release of the operating environment for ClearPath Forward® Dorado systems, OS 2200 18.0 delivers new-feature updates to a number of products. And because all of the well over 100 enhancements in this release have been designed, developed, and qualified together, you can trust they’ll deliver the seamless operations your business-critical applications demand.

With ClearPath OS 2200 Release 18.0, you’ll realize considerable benefits across three important areas:

• Security
• Data center transformation
• Application modernization

Security

With OS 2200 18.0, you’ll build on the ClearPath Forward environment’s proven security by utilizing networking products, system authentication functions, and document creation capabilities that have all received significant security-centric upgrades.

Here’s how:

• Communications Interface for Transaction Applications (CITA): With the ability to use the
  SSL/TLS security protocol in CITA, you’ll be able to encrypt network data, use message digests to protect messages from modification, and authenticate using PKI certificates.
• Communications Platform (CPComm) and CPComm for Open Systems (CPCommOS): Following the advice of security experts, CPComm and CPCommOS now disable the TLS version 1.0 security protocol by default. Additionally, CPCommOS allows you to use Elliptic Curve-based cryptographic algorithms for authentication and key exchange. With this update, you’ll increase performance by using keys that are smaller than, but just as effective as, RSA and
  DSA keys.
• Cryptographic Library (CryptoLib): We’ve recertified the CryptoLib to comply with the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 standard. With this update, you’ll be able to use callable functions that can generate FIPS 140-2 approved random numbers.
• Enterprise Output Manager: With the ability to digitally sign PDF documents, you’ll be able to effectively protect the contents of the document, as well as the identity of its creator and approver.

Data Center Transformation

When you use OS 2200 18.0, you’ll make it easier to manage, process, and interact with the data that flows into and out of your ClearPath Forward system each day.

Here’s how:

• Apex: Apex receives a number of important enhancements in OS 2200 18.0:
  
  • A new report shows you who accessed a file and when, making it easier to detect suspicious activity and spot inadequate security policies
    
  • SECMGR is now a part of Apex, providing compatibility for existing scripts and runstreams
    
  • With the ability to disable a user ID on a specific date, you’ll be better equipped to avoid unauthorized system access
  • Enhancements to the Users Report give you more flexibility in the selection criteria and more ways of organizing the results
    
  • Your administrators can now use a search field to find EXEC configuration parameters utilizing either the dynamic or static parameter names, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual searches
    
  • The UDS Active Configuration page now displays configuration source details
    
  • Columns, Indexes, Constraints, Views, Triggers, Routines, and Parameters are now selectable from the UDS Object Explorer
    
• DBAGENT: By making the DBAGENT a separate installable product, you’ll have greater flexibility
  in terms of when you receive the latest features and fixes.
  
• FTP Services for ClearPath OS 2200 (cpFTP): With the ability to translate files between EBCDIC and ASCII formats, you’ll simplify transfers between heterogeneous systems.
  
• Enterprise Output Manager: Offered with OS 2200 18.0, Enterprise Output Manager 14.0 includes:
  
  • Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) support, which allows you to encrypt data transfers between Enterprise Output Manager and other sources
    
  • A client that helps you monitor jobs and management queues over the web
    
  • Enhanced File Masks and keywords for greater flexibility when routing and processing data
    
  • New SNMP nodes
    
  • Single sign-on in Web Assistant that can use Microsoft® Windows® credentials
    
• ClearPath Forward ePortal Software Edition (SE): Included alongside the rest of the ePortal functionality in OS 2200 18.0 is ePortal SE. With ePortal SE, you’ll have a software-based version of ePortal that can be freely deployed on industry-standard virtualization platforms, including Microsoft Hyper-V® or VMware® ESX™.
  
• EXEC: OS 2200 18.0 includes many important updates to EXEC:
  
  • The new Expand Pack capability helps you fully utilize the capacity of a newly installed storage system
    
  • The data collected to analyze system performance now reports I/O component time
    at a finer granularity
    
  • A refactored system file lessens time limitations in the run scheduling complex and removes limitations related to the data stored in that file
    
  • Simplified authentication for first-time users eliminates the need for assistance from a
    system administrator
    
  • An enhanced, easier method of replicating and migrating your system’s VALTAB/VINDEX has been added to EXEC
    
• Operations Sentinel: Operations Sentinel 17.0 is included in OS 2200 18.0. The latest version of our automated data center management tool features several noteworthy enhancements:
  
  • Centralized monitoring, which allows you to view all alerts in a single window
    
  • The ability to detect when the UNIX/Linux Resource Monitor (ULRM) fails and send an alert to the appropriate administrative personnel
    
• Universal Database Control (UDSC) module: When you use the enhanced UDSC module in ClearPath Forward Dorado eXtended Processing Complex (XPC-L4) deployments, you’ll have access to additional information that helps you spot any programs involved in a deadlock, making it faster and easier to resolve these issues.
  
• WebSphere MQ version 9 for ClearPath Forward Dorado Servers (WMQ2200): Based on IBM® MQ 9.0.0, the latest version of WMQ2200 includes the new QPMonitor. With it, you’ll be able to monitor system resources and events, as well as generate alerts. And with the ability to monitor clustered queues, you can make sure messages are processed and traffic is sent to the correct destinations.

Application Modernization

With OS 2200 18.0, you’ll be able to make better use of readily available developer skills, while executing modernization initiatives that align IT investments with business objectives.

Here’s how:

• ClearPath Forward ePortal: ClearPath Forward ePortal 8.0 is included in OS 2200 18.0. The latest version of ePortal includes numerous features that help to increase the reach and value of your applications. For instance, with the enhanced COBOL Import Wizard, you’ll streamline the process of importing and maintaining the COBOL records used in ePortal COBOL data source projects. And with the COBOL Data Source Orchestration Connect feature, you can dynamically specify the host name, window name, and port number of the back-end server your application will target.
  
• RDMS: Updates to RDMS improve the performance of arithmetic expression evaluations, hybrid hash joins, and searches. You can also use more file names in a thread, reference a view in more FROM clauses, and use FETCH commands in Routines and Triggers.
  
• OLTP: With the new configuration parameters in OLTP, you can utilize more fine-grained timeouts, helping you detect failing applications faster.

Ready to Get Started?

Please visit the OS 2200 homepage to learn about all of the enhancements and updated capabilities we’ve packed into OS 2200 Release 18.0. For even more information about this release, please give the OS 2200 18.0 Software Release Announcement, Migration Guide, and Software Product Catalog a read. And be sure to watch the videos in our technical update playlist on YouTube.

If you need any assistance using these enhancements to modernize your applications, transform your data center, or enhance security, we’d be happy to set up a services engagement to assist you. Contact your Unisys sales representative to get started.

Please note that, as recently announced, OS 2200 18.0 will be made available by digital download, via the Unisys Download Center. If you have any questions about acquiring OS 2200 18.0 using our new digital delivery model, please reach out to your sales representative.