Cleveland and SHARE have at least one thing in common; they are both home to rock stars. Get ready to meet today’s enterprise computing rock stars at SHARE Cleveland (Aug. 17-21). Members will learn about the latest features of the mainframe and new techniques that they can bring back to their offices. Connecting with their peers, attendees also exchange ideas and solutions to everyday concerns.
Preston Rominger, vice president and director of conference operations at SHARE, says that SHARE Cleveland offers members a chance to learn from subject matter experts about the latest updates to enterprise technology and to connect with their colleagues:
Some other hot topics at this conference include technical updates to the IBM z17 z/OS communications server and how to improve mainframe security.
z/OS Communications Server
During the “z/OS Communications Server Technical Update: Summer 2025 Edition” session, Mike Fitzpatrick, senior technical staff member and chief product officer of IBM’s enterprise networking software, and Sam Reynolds, senior software engineer and architect in IBM’s enterprise networking software, highlight some of the new features in the z/OS Communications Server and some that are forthcoming. Mainframe professionals with networking responsibilities will not want to miss out on this session, as it offers insight into how to best configure the network capabilities of z/OS and how to secure it.
Fitzpatrick and Reynolds say, “We will introduce the new IBM z17 Network Express feature, which combines the functionality of both the OSA-Express and RoCE Express features into a single feature or adapter.” They add, “A single Network Express port supports both IP protocols and RDMA protocols, allowing each Network Express port to function as both a standard NIC (network interface card) for Ethernet and as an RDMA capable NIC for RoCE protocols. Converging both protocols to a single adapter reduces Z customers’ cost for physical networking resources.”
Additionally, Fitzpatrick and Reynolds say that the SMTP Auth support for the CSSMTP email client has been one of the most requested enhancements for the z/OS Communications Server, which they will also cover during their session. “It provides enhanced security by allowing mail servers to authenticate the CSSMTP mail client,” they explain.
Both say that with each new release, “critical advances in networking security are made to the z/OS Communications Server.” At the same time, each new release provides continued support for the latest hardware capabilities. “IBM keeps investing in emerging technologies, including containerization technologies and artificial intelligence,” they add. “We hope that our SHARE education sessions, including the technical update keep our customers well informed of our most recent and coming enhancements, and have them well positioned to exploit those enhancements where beneficial.”
Fitzpatrick and Reynolds also urge members to come to the “z/OS Communications Server Networking Secret Session #2” where even more details about new technology related to the z/OS Communications Server's networking support will be unveiled. It’s definitely one that members won’t want to miss.
Are You Prepared for a Cyberattack?
As financial, medical, and personal data is increasingly stored on mainframes, security is of the utmost importance because this data is critical to our daily lives. Tom Conley, owner of Pinnacle Consulting Group, Inc., says, “Breaches are costly, and we need to prevent them wherever possible.”
In his SHARE Cleveland session, “Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself: Are You Prepared for a Cyberattack? 2025 Edition,” he will explore how mainframe professionals can assess their mainframe security for compliance with industry security standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Conley offers three key takeaways from his session for attendees: “Document, document, document your security rules and the business reasons for them (that's three, you'll have to come to the session to hear the rest!).”
Security threats can be opportunities for mainframe security improvements, and Conley adds, “Being proactive and flexible can ensure data is even more secure.” In the session, he will demonstrate how RACF, Top Secret, and ACF2 can be applied effectively, as well as how to prepare for a mainframe security audit.
Conley’s session, “ACS Test Cases - Testing Your ACS Routines With the Best-Kept Secret in ISMF,” explores how mainframe professionals can define test cases, run them, and examine the results for optimal storage management. “Members will learn how to set up the ACS Test Case utility, run the utility, and how to verify the results of the utility,” he says. “ACS routines are the lifeblood of any SMS system. The best thing about ACS Test Cases is saving them to provide regression testing for future changes.”
SHARE Cleveland offers an opportunity to engage directly with the architects of the platform’s latest advancements. From deep-dive technical sessions to real-world insights from seasoned experts, this is more than just a conference — it’s where today’s enterprise computing leaders sharpen their edge and shape the future. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation, the community, and the next chapter in mainframe excellence.
Register for SHARE Cleveland, today! Already registered? Review the technical agenda to plan your education and check out some must-see places in the city.