Installing and using z/OS Extensions

z/OS® Extensions is a component of IBM® Rational® ClearCase® that enables mainframe users to perform select DevOps Code ClearCase operations. z/OS Extensions include Remote Build, TSO Client, and ClearCase RAM (CCRAM).

  • The Remote Build feature submits build requests from DevOps Code ClearCase client platforms running on the Windows®, Linux®, and UNIX® systems to the Remote Build server running on z/OS (MVS™ or z/OS UNIX System Services). As part of the build request, you can request that Remote Build return the derived objects to the client platforms, where you can create a version of them in DevOps Code ClearCase. You can also audit the distributed side of the builds by using the clearmake command.
  • The TSO Client feature provides access to your DevOps Code ClearCase repository on the Windows, Linux, and UNIX systems through the native ISPF interface on z/OS. You can maintain a consistent and centralized configuration management methodology in both your mainframe and distributed environments, and support mainframe development efforts through Unified Change Management (UCM) workflows. Using the TSO Client application programming interface (API), you can create your own custom TSO Client calls to a distributed system running DevOps Code ClearCase. TSO Client also provides impact analysis tools that you can use to manage builds through both TSO Client and Remote Build.
  • CCRAM provides an interface between IBM Rational Developer for System z® and Rational ClearCase, so that Rational Developer for System z users can access their assets in Rational ClearCase.
  • z/OS Extensions also includes a set of sample scripts, referred to as parameterized build, that provide a model for automating the creation and submission of Remote Build scripts. These scripts are included as-is and require customization to meet the needs of your environment. Parameterized build requests can be made against a Rational ClearCase Windows or UNIX server from Rational ClearCase Windows client environments, the UNIX command line, TSO Client, and the Rational Developer for System z Version 7.5 and Eclipse platforms.

To get started with z/OS Extensions choose from the following topics:

  • Reading roadmap provides a list of topics organized by feature. This is a good place to start if you know which feature you want to use and need a quick link to its topics.
  • Installing z/OS Extensions is for persons responsible for initial installation of the z/OS Extensions features.
  • Configuring z/OS Extensions provides a summary of configuration tasks with links to instructions for configuring system-wide and feature-specific options. It is organized according to user role: z/OS administrator, ClearCase administrator, and user.

After you have installed and configured z/OS Extensions, you can choose the following topics for help with using z/OS Extensions: