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Thursday, June 11
 

7:30am EDT

Registration
Thursday June 11, 2026 7:30am - 5:00pm EDT
Thursday June 11, 2026 7:30am - 5:00pm EDT
Sponsor Area

7:45am EDT

Breakfast
Thursday June 11, 2026 7:45am - 8:30am EDT
Thursday June 11, 2026 7:45am - 8:30am EDT
Sponsor Area

8:30am EDT

Linux for IBM Z Installation Hands-on Workshop - Part 1
Thursday June 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
This hands-on lab will provide an opportunity to install Linux for IBM Z into a z/VM virtual machine, do some basic system administration and configure commonly used packages such as Apache. There will also be an opportunity to install the docker engine and create some basic images and run those images in containers. The choices for installation will be RedHat 9.7, SUSE SLES 15 SP6, and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. This is a multi-part lab to provide enough time to work through the lab workbook.
Speakers
RL

Richard Lewis

Executive I/T Specialist, IBM
Thursday June 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
2107

8:30am EDT

Build Your Own Linux
Thursday June 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
This session will expose the secrets of z/VM for amazing tricks Linux can do nowhere else. z/VM is the original personal computer and more powerful than any other hypervisor. Linux is the one truly open source Unix-like system and more flexible than all else. Together they serve everyone from hobbyist or student to Fortune 100 enterprise. This session will discuss and demonstrate building from source, shared disk, immutable systems, and extreme customization.
Speakers
avatar for Rick Troth

Rick Troth

Senior Software Developer, VSSI
It's all about trust!
Thursday June 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
1107

8:30am EDT

What's new with the VSE SSH Client Suite
Thursday June 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Our initial release of the SSH Client Suite for VSE was batch-oriented. We've now enabled a 3270 interface to the suite and, experimentally, added a browser-based GUI. In this session I will describe and, if the presentation muses allow, demonstrate both interactive interfaces.
Speakers
avatar for Neale Ferguson

Neale Ferguson

Principal Engineer, Sine Nomine Associates
As principal engineer at Sine Nomine Associates, I have been doing Linux on the mainframe since it was a skunkworks project within IBM.
I have authored several articles in publications such as Enterprise Technical Journal (and its predecessors) and have presented on z/VM and Linux... Read More →
Thursday June 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
2201

8:30am EDT

zVM: Beyond the Horizon
Thursday June 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
An update and discussion on the current z/VM focus, strategy, planned enhancements and upcoming changes.
Thursday June 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
1201

8:30am EDT

21CS VSEn Hints and Tips
Thursday June 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
In this presentation we will show a mixed collection of experiences from the 21CS team on different areas while working with VSEn customers and upgrading to/using 21CS VSEn 6.3 and 6.4.
Thursday June 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
2104

9:30am EDT

Coffee Break
Thursday June 11, 2026 9:30am - 9:45am EDT
Thursday June 11, 2026 9:30am - 9:45am EDT
Sponsor Area

9:45am EDT

Linux for IBM Z Installation Hands-on Workshop - Part 2
Thursday June 11, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
This hands-on lab will provide an opportunity to install Linux for IBM Z into a z/VM virtual machine, do some basic system administration and configure commonly used packages such as Apache. There will also be an opportunity to install the docker engine and create some basic images and run those images in containers. The choices for installation will be RedHat 9.7, SUSE SLES 15 SP6, and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. This is a multi-part lab to provide enough time to work through the lab workbook.
Speakers
RL

Richard Lewis

Executive I/T Specialist, IBM
Thursday June 11, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
2107

9:45am EDT

z/VM Memory Management Update
Thursday June 11, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Several new memory management functions are being developed for z/VM. This presentation will cover the following topics: 1. Active Drain 2. Memory Terminology Changes 3. Memory Overcommitment Control 4. Memory Management Infrastructure
Speakers
RW

Romney White

Senior Technical Staff Member, IBM
Virtualization, LinuxONE
Thursday June 11, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
1107

9:45am EDT

Standing up and administering a public-access VM/SP system
Thursday June 11, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Did you know there is a publicly accessible, historically accurate VM/System Product system? Travel back in time to the 1980s with VM/SP! Our incredibly diverse team of volunteer systems programmers has undertaken quite a journey and overcome some incredible hurdles to bring the PUBVM system to life! Join us to hear about how a college student, a young public-sector sysprog, a sysprog from IBM's CIO org, an SME from IBM's Washington Systems Center, and two retired IBM VM top-tier experts all came together to accomplish an incredible mission.
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
2201

9:45am EDT

Rexx Language Primer
Thursday June 11, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
In this session you will learn about what the Rexx Programming Language can do, how to use some of the basic instructions and functions to get started with and resources to have on hand for reference.
Speakers
RS

Rich Smrcina

Sr. Systems Engineer, Velocity Software Inc.
Thursday June 11, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
1201

9:45am EDT

Jumpin' Jack, Flash VSE
Thursday June 11, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
We finally decided to use Flashcopy and how it helped our backup strategy. - Reducing backup window time - Increasing data integrity in backups
Thursday June 11, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
2104

11:00am EDT

Linux for IBM Z Installation Hands-on Workshop - Part 3
Thursday June 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
This hands-on lab will provide an opportunity to install Linux for IBM Z into a z/VM virtual machine, do some basic system administration and configure commonly used packages such as Apache. There will also be an opportunity to install the docker engine and create some basic images and run those images in containers. The choices for installation will be RedHat 9.7, SUSE SLES 15 SP6, and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. This is a multi-part lab to provide enough time to work through the lab workbook.
Speakers
RL

Richard Lewis

Executive I/T Specialist, IBM
Thursday June 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
2107

11:00am EDT

Saying Hello to z/VM V7.5 Security
Thursday June 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
z/VM V7.5 has been announced in preview, and while the future isn't here quite yet, changes are coming in the space of security -- not limited to RACF for z/VM, but especially in that space. The goal of this presentation is to start you thinking about what the future may hold for security on your favorite platform, and what you may need to do to prepare.
Speakers
avatar for Brian Hugenbruch

Brian Hugenbruch

Security Nerd, IBM
Thursday June 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
1107

11:00am EDT

Solving Customer Problems with Velocity Software
Thursday June 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Velocity Software's zLOV version 610 stack of products, zVPS, zPRO, zTUNE and zVRM is focused on solving IBM Z and LinuxONE customer issues, along with support for IBM's latest z17 and LinuxONE 5 offerings. The goal of this session is to show the concerns brought to Velocity Software, and how this new product release resolves these problems, all while still using less than 1% of a processor. This also continues our effort in making IBM Z the most efficient and easy hybrid cloud platform to host Linux and OpenShift environments from.
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
2201

11:00am EDT

Lessons Learned From Being Struck by Lightning - Private Cloud on IBM Z and LinuxONE: How to Create a Stable, Manageable, High-Performance Environment
Thursday June 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Learn about the recommended practices based on experience, lab testing, development recommendations, and customer experiences for Making z/VM and Linux Guests "Production Ready". Design and Configuration Planning Considerations, Installation/Configuration Recommendations, Basics for Monitoring, Troubleshooting, Performance, and more!
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
1201

11:00am EDT

A Mainframe Update from Germany
Thursday June 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
From relocating a rack-mounted IBM z16 and DS8910F storage system to experimenting with AI-assisted COBOL documentation, there is currently no shortage of activity in my mainframe environment at SDK. In this session, I provide an update from Germany on current infrastructure and development projects. Topics include the upcoming datacenter relocation, insurance consolidation activities, modernization efforts around VSEn, security improvements, and enhancements for COBOL development using Visual Studio Code. I will also share first experiences using AI technologies to improve COBOL documentation and application understanding. Alongside the technical topics, I will share lessons learned and a few entertaining moments from daily mainframe operations — because enterprise IT projects rarely go exactly as planned.
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
2104

12:00pm EDT

Lunch
Thursday June 11, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Thursday June 11, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Sponsor Area

1:00pm EDT

Deploying Encrypted Filesystems in Linux under zVM
Thursday June 11, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
The CITI LinuxONE team was asked to provide encrypted Mongo database to meet PCI-DSS global requirments. Using zVM and custom built processes we were able to deploy hundreds of LUKS based filesystems
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
1107

1:00pm EDT

The Evolution of z/VM - 25 years of innovation
Thursday June 11, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
z/VM was released 25 years ago in 2001. Its existence was sometimes in doubt but the influence of several individuals eventually ensured that it would be delivered. Since the initial release, there has been a continuing stream of enhancements. This presentation will review the background and describe some of the major innovations that have been introduced.
Speakers
RW

Romney White

Senior Technical Staff Member, IBM
Virtualization, LinuxONE
Thursday June 11, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
2201

1:00pm EDT

CMS Pipelines Basics
Thursday June 11, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
CMS Pipelines is a facility included with the z/VM CMS component that includes a set of some 350 programs that can be used to build application to run in CMS. Each programs is known as a stage. In this session, the speaker will provide an overview of the Pipeline concepts, an overview of many of the basic stages, and the how to use CMS Pipelines to enhance programming in CMS. A working knowledge of CMS and REXX is needed to get the most out of the presentation. The presentation will include examples that could be executed on any CMS system.
Speakers
RB

Rick Barlow

Velocity Software
Thursday June 11, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
1201

1:00pm EDT

21CS OLTP transaction looping, you can take care of it! (and other enhancements)
Thursday June 11, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Did you ever had a situation where a yield transaction was looping so bad, that you had to shutdown the whole OLTP region in order to stop it? Well, we have come up with a solution, that will make the transaction stop without you having to stop the whole OLTP region. We will also mention, some other enhancements to make your OLTP environment more resilient.
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
2104

2:15pm EDT

Putting the ME in MainfraME
Thursday June 11, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
With the constant allure of trendy, new technologies, like AI, ML, and VR, why should you consider a career in mainframes? Join me as I share advice I've learned in the first five years of my career journey working on the mainframe, as well as how you can apply what you've learned in college as you start your role, to inspire your career decisions.
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
2107

2:15pm EDT

Visualization is Key
Thursday June 11, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Mainframe operating systems produce A LOT of performance data. It isn't enough to look at screens and reports anymore. Data can be delivered to InfluxDB and Prometheus for use with new visualization tools like Grafana. These tools are becoming more and more important for data display. We will show how these tools can be integrated into your existing performance management landscape. Sending data to Open Telemetry will also be discussed and how it integrates with Prometheus.
Speakers
RS

Rich Smrcina

Sr. Systems Engineer, Velocity Software Inc.
Thursday June 11, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
1107

2:15pm EDT

21CS: Then, Now, Next
Thursday June 11, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
For over 30 years, 21CS has been at the forefront of mainframe data protection, recovery, and performance planning. Central to their success is the strategic alliance with IBM, which led to 21CS entering into a z/VSE source code agreement in 2021. Discover how 21CS continues to drive innovation in the z/OS and VSE space through its perfect mixture of expertise and new skilled talent and bold vision for what's next.
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
2201

2:15pm EDT

GDPS Cyber Resiliency: Securing, Vaulting, and Recovering Critical Data
Thursday June 11, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Threats to business critical data can originate both outside the enterprise and from within; including privileged users. GDPS Logical Corruption Protection Manager (LCP) enhances your security and recovery posture by helping prevent unauthorized compromise of production systems, critical data, and protected copies. In this session, you'll learn how GDPS LCP enables the regular creation of secure, point-in-time data copies designed for cyber resiliency scenarios. We'll examine how GDPS coordinates storage, operating system, and middleware technologies to deliver integrated protection, forensic analysis, and recovery workflows using vaulted LCP copies. This presentation also includes updates from prior sessions, highlighting new scheduling options, best practices, and verification techniques to help ensure your cyber recovery strategy is resilient, testable, and operationally sound.
Thursday June 11, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
1201

2:15pm EDT

A Hardware Primer for System Programmers
Thursday June 11, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Does it seem a bit daunting to set up a second-level Linux system or a z/VM guest for testing? This session will give you a primer on setting up Linux and z/VM to run as guests and even making them "gold images" so you can duplicate them to make more as needed.
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
2104

3:15pm EDT

Coffee Break
Thursday June 11, 2026 3:15pm - 3:30pm EDT
Thursday June 11, 2026 3:15pm - 3:30pm EDT
Sponsor Area

3:30pm EDT

A Beginner's Perspective: Q&A With A VCU Student
Thursday June 11, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
A Beginner's Perspective: Q&A With A VCU Student (This is your opportunity to interrogate a student with all your questions!) Victoria Castagnola / [email protected] This will be an opportunity for mainframe experts, newbies, and anyone in-between to ask for a beginner mainframer's perspective on things. At the speaker's first SHARE, she noticed that a lot of people wanted to know about what students thought about certain topics, mainframe-specific or technology related in general, especially from someone that didn't have to speak for a certain company or technology. Presentation will follow a loose topic format in which speaker will talk about her computer science journey and how she got interested in mainframe and then open the floor to questions and conversation. There will be some other topics included like the ever-present "modernization" and Victoria's take on what that even means. Any questions welcome.
Thursday June 11, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
2107

3:30pm EDT

ZIP Through Install with GetShopz
Thursday June 11, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
You may know GetShopz as a CMS utility that simplifies and secures the transfer of z/VM service from IBM Shopz and IBM ServiceLink to a z/VM system. New in the latest release, GetShopz dramatically speeds up second-level installation and upgrade by accelerating the transfer and decompression of installation media ZIP files. We will step through existing and brand-new workflows to benefit both new and experienced users of GetShopz.
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
1107

3:30pm EDT

Express Linux Automation and Networking: Ansible and scripting for z/VM
Thursday June 11, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
The z/VM ESI project provides a streamlined installation process for z/VM, along with a Linux system which we call the ELAN -- Express Linux Automation and Networking. Development of the ELAN is moving more Open, and this session talks about the changes to the development process, and what is currently included in the ELAN. We will also preview some exciting enhancements, along with new functions and deployment options!
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
2201

3:30pm EDT

Introduction to RACF Administration on z/VM
Thursday June 11, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
No matter if you have a second-level z/VM test system or a full-on Production z/VM host, you had better have an External Security Manager. The RACF security server gives you a much higher level of security than CP can. But how does it "work" and why is it so scary - or painful - for a lot of z/VM system administrators? In this session, the speaker will cover the basic terminology, RACF commands that should be learned to manage basic resources and pit-falls to avoid and overcome.
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
1201

3:30pm EDT

21CS VSEn Connectors and VSCode - Efficient and modern ways of working with VSEn
Thursday June 11, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
In this session we will show how to efficiently work with VSEn, both for Sysprogs and Application Programmers, by leveraging the VSEn Connectors tools and VSCode pluging to VSEn that we will release soon.
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
2104

4:45pm EDT

EMMA: A New Mainframe Education and Apprenticeship Engagement Model
Thursday June 11, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm EDT
The current educational and apprenticeship engagement model is failing to fulfill the needs of individuals looking to enter into a mainframe career and the corporations that have specific legacy environment personnel. The model being presented by EMMA, focuses the individual training to meet the desires of individuals by training to a career path. The model focuses and streamlines corporate legacy environment succession plan mitigation by tailoring the course structure to the specific needs.
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm EDT
2107

4:45pm EDT

Recommendations for Large-Scale Linux Deployment on LinuxONE
Thursday June 11, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm EDT
An overview of best practices, recommendations and avoidable mistakes for large scale Linux deployments on IBM Z and LinuxONE.
Thursday June 11, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm EDT
1107

4:45pm EDT

CMS Shared File System Administration
Thursday June 11, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm EDT
This session will describe how to configure and use the CMS Shared File System. Administration, space management, and security will be discussed. A modern approach to managing SFS will also be demonstrated.
Speakers
RS

Rich Smrcina

Sr. Systems Engineer, Velocity Software Inc.
Thursday June 11, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm EDT
2201

4:45pm EDT

RACF: The Right Way
Thursday June 11, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm EDT
In this session we will talk about the right way to deploy RACF on z/VM. The speaker has done many RACF deployments and has strong opinions on what constitutes the right way. (Yes, Virginia, there is a wrong way!) We'll talk not only about policy, but about the mechanics of deploying RACF the right way the first time, including the latest updates to RPIDIRCT in z/VM 7.4.
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm EDT
1201

4:45pm EDT

VSE's Blueprint for Achieving Formula One Success
Thursday June 11, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm EDT
Success on the track depends on a finely tuned race car supported by a well-equipped, high-performing team. Similarly, navigating the VSE ecosystem effectively requires the right tools and the expertise to use them. Join us as we take you through the VSE circuit and explore how a comprehensive portfolio of solutions can drive you all the way to victory lane.
Speakers
Thursday June 11, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm EDT
2104

6:45pm EDT

Dinner on Your Own!
Thursday June 11, 2026 6:45pm - 7:45pm EDT
Thursday June 11, 2026 6:45pm - 7:45pm EDT
TBD
 
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