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Getting started with the CICS Explorer

Question & Answer


Question

You want to start using the CICS Explorer for CICS Transaction Server for z/OS (CICS TS). You need to know things like: which release of CICS Explorer comes with IBM Explorer for z/OS; which release you should use; how do you download and configure CICS Explorer; how do you obtain updates or previous releases of CICS Explorer; and which products integrate and support CICS Explorer.

Answer

 

Visit CICS Explorer at ibm.com for more information including demos.


Installation

IBM recommends that you use the latest supported version of CICS Explorer and, where applicable, the latest version of any plug-ins you have installed for CICS Explorer; available from the Mainframe Developer Center along with further details on the CICS Explorer download page. Simply follow the download instructions appropriate to your current installation environment and scenario.

Copies of previous releases of CICS Explorer and plug-ins for CICS Explorer are available from the Downloads for older releases of IBM Explorer for z/OS and IBM CICS Explorer. If you need to determine which release of a plug-in for CICS Explorer works with which release of CICS Explorer, see the z/OS Explorer, CICS Explorer, and CICS tools plug-ins release compatibility reference tables.

For more information, see Getting started with IBM CICS Explorer in the CICS Explorer product documentation.

Note:
  • z/OS Explorer and CICS Explorer are available as separately available free downloads only, and are not shipped with CICS Transaction Server. z/OS Explorer is installed alongside CICS Explorer and forms the foundation of CICS Explorer. This architecture was implemented from release 5.1 onwards.
  • Always read the supplied CICS Explorer release notes and CICS Explorer Readme document as they contain important information, such as prerequisites.

Configuration

After installation, you must configure the CICS Explorer connections to your CICS or CICSPlex SM (CPSM) systems.

There are two types of connections you can use:
  • CICSPlex SM Data Interface for a read-only connection to a CICS Transaction Server 4 (or later).
  • CICS management client interface (CMCI) for a connection to a CICS Transaction Server 4 (or later) CPSM Web User Interface (WUI), or a single CICS region with update capability.

If you want to update any MAS or CICSplex using a CMCI connection, you will need to be running CPSM 4 (or later) agent code in the MAS and be connected to a CICS Transaction Server 4 (or later) WUI.

For more information, refer to sections Connecting CICS Explorer to CICS systems and Setting up CMCI with CICSPlex SM in the CICS Transaction Server product documentation.
 
Updates

IBM provides updates to CICS Explorer on a regular basis. The most up-to-date release of CICS Explorer is always available from the Mainframe Developer Center along with further details on the CICS Explorer downloads page.

If you have an earlier release of CICS Explorer and want to update it to a newer version, then follow the download instructions appropriate to your current installation environment and scenario.

If you have an earlier release of CICS Explorer and want to acquire another copy of that release, then visit the Downloads for older releases of IBM Explorer for z/OS and IBM CICS Explorer.

If you need to determine which release of a CICS tools plug-in for CICS Explorer works with which release of CICS Explorer, see the z/OS Explorer, CICS Explorer, and CICS tools plug-ins release compatibility reference tables.

Note:  
Forum

The IBM Community enables you to interact other users and with the CICS Explorer development team about questions and problems related to the CICS Explorer. Use this forum to better understand the CICS Explorer, to debug problems, to make requests, and to get answers. This forum is moderated by CICS Explorer architects, developers, and testers.
  Feedback

IBM would like to hear your views about the CICS Explorer and what you would like to see it deliver in future versions.  To submit an official enhancement request to IBM, see How to Open and vote for an enhancement request for IBM Z Software products.
 

Products that support CICS Explorer

The following IBM products support CICS Explorer:  

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Product Synonym

CICS/TS CICS TS CICS Transaction Server

Document Information

Modified date:
14 June 2022

UID

swg21399558