Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• AS/400 security auditing and *ALLOBJ access

  System i security expert Carol Woodbury discusses *ALLOBJ access with an AS/400 security auditor.  Continue Reading

• Audit journal monitoring of *ALLOBJ profiles

  System i security expert Carol Woodbury discusses why QHST is not a reliable source for *ALLOBJ profile monitoring, and explains why the i5/OS audit journal should be used instead.  Continue Reading

• AS/400 security levels

  System i security expert Carol Woodbury explains the difference between level 30 security and level 40 security on AS/400.  Continue Reading

• Database pooling on iSeries

  Learn why database pooling on iSeries causes jobs on server to remain active.  Continue Reading

• Granting a user SAVSYS authority

  I Series security expert Carol Woodbury explains how to give a user authority to complete a save.  Continue Reading

• Where is user password information stored on AS/400?

  System i security expert Carol Woodbury briefly discusses user password information on AS/400.  Continue Reading

• Password minimum age policy in OS/400

  System i security expert Carol Woodbury addresses minimum age validation in OS/400.  Continue Reading

• Saving the integrated file system

  System i backup and recovery expert Ken Graap explains the correct string for saving the integrated file system.  Continue Reading

• Imaging products for iSeries

  ISeries expert Ken Graap discusses imaging on the iSeries platform.  Continue Reading

• Restoring a spool file

  ISeries backup and recovery expert Ken Graap explains why a user cannot restore a spool file on his system running on V5R3.  Continue Reading

• Using the notification function of Advanced Job Scheduler

  ISeries backup and recovery expert Ken Graap explains how to use job scheduler to send notifications using the Change Notification Command.  Continue Reading

• Error while connecting Client Access v4r5 to to an AS/400 on v4r5

  Expert Shahar Mor explains why a user receives an error message while trying to connect Client Access v4r5 to to an AS/400 on v4r5.  Continue Reading

• Viewing AS/400 directories and folders in Windows

  Expert Shahar Mor explains how to access AS/400 folders though Windows.  Continue Reading

• Creating an SQL command to view two files as one

  Expert Kent Milligan explains an SQL statement that will allow two separate transaction files to be viewed as a single file.  Continue Reading

• DB2 Connect help

  ISeries database expert Kent Milligan explains why a user receives an error message while trying to pass data from a Unix server with OS/400 V5R2.  Continue Reading

• AS/400 SQL transaction file help

  Iseries database expert Kent Milligan offers an index for an efficient way of selecting the last transactions in a transaction file.  Continue Reading

• SQL packages on remote servers

  ISeries expert Kent Milligan offers AS/400 advice on SQL packages to remote servers.  Continue Reading

• Working with nulls in RPGLE

  ISeries expert Kent Milligan offers help for working with nulls in RPGLE.  Continue Reading

• i5/OS defect when submitting a CHGPF command to an existing physical file

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• Storing XML data in a CLOB field

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• Get descriptive headers in Excel tables when transferring data

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• Using object level security to control data access

  Expert Carol Woodbury explains how to use object level security to control employees' access to files without limiting their method of access.  Continue Reading

• Gaining control over use of SST profiles

  Expert Carol Woodbury explains the only way to extract SST profile information on iSeries servers.  Continue Reading

• Saving and restoring job scheduler jobs on AS400

  AS400 backup and recovery expert Kenneth Graap offers some advice about saving and restoring job scheduler jobs.  Continue Reading

• An example of using COUNT() in a STRSQL statement

  iSeries expert Kenneth Graap gives an example of using COUNT() in a STRSQL statement.  Continue Reading

• Creating a user profile from a file

  iSeries i5/OS expert Ken Graap helps a user with creating a user profile from a file.  Continue Reading

• Advanced Job Scheduler help

  iSeries expert Ken Graap helps a reader build a CL Program to monitor for job completion using Advanced Job Scheduler on iSeries.  Continue Reading

• How do I retrieve the source for an output queue description to put in to a CL program?

  iSeries systems management advice from expert Scott Ingvaldson: Retrieving the source for an output queue description to put in to a CL program.  Continue Reading

• Is there a way to get and modify the source for QDSIGNON2?

  iSeries systems management expert offers help on how to personalize the initial sign-on screen.  Continue Reading

• Force AS/400 passwords to have uppercase and lowercase letters

  One Search400.com member asked, "Is there a way to force passwords in the AS/400 to have uppercase and lowercase letters?  Continue Reading

• Passing parameters in an ILE RPG module

  iSeries application development expert John Blenkinsop explains about passing parameters in an ILE RPG module.  Continue Reading

• Importing iSeries data directly into an Excel spreadsheet

  Kent Milligan, DB2 UDB expert helps a Search400.com member t import iSeries data directly into an Excel spreadsheet .  Continue Reading

• What's happening to my subfile?

  Search400.com development expert John Blenkinsop helps an iSeries user out with a subfile problem.  Continue Reading

• What happening to my subfile?

  I am writing a program using subfiles. My subfile is doing something strange. When I call the program it displays on the last page of records in the subfile. I need it to display from the first record it finds down. I assume this can be corrected ...  Continue Reading

• Configuring the iSeries to send email

  Systems management expert Rich Belles explains how to configuring the iSeries to send email.  Continue Reading

• How do I automate a full system backup on my i5 server?

  Backup and recovery expert Ken Graap explains how to automate a full system backup on the i5 server.  Continue Reading

• How can I save and restore spool file data as part of my backup/recovery process?

  Search400.com expert Ken Graap explains how to save and restore spool file data as part of a backup/recovery process.  Continue Reading

• Disabling QTSTRQS on AS400

  Can I disable QTSTRQS on AS400 (V5R3)? What is this profile used for?  Continue Reading

• Adopted authority and ALLOBJ special authority

  I have two questions about security:

  1. How can we use the adopted authority for users that have access to the command line?

  2. If I have 800 users working on an i5/OS400, what will be the acceptable average for users that have ALLOBJ ...  Continue Reading

  3. Locking down FTP from AS/400 to PC

     Is there any to locked down FTP so that a person on a PC can't FTP a file from the AS/400 to their PC?  Continue Reading

  4. Resetting the SST user profile

     One member asks, "Can the SST user profile be reset? My company changed all default users. I have QSECOFR access. " Search400.com security expert Carol Woodbury responds.  Continue Reading

  5. Backing up the iSeries directly to a DVD device

     One Search400.com expert writes, "I have a iSeries model 150 on V4R1, and on my PC I have a DVD/CDROM-write. I want to use that device to have a backup directly from my iSeries. Is this possible?"  Continue Reading

  6. Printing AFP output

     One Search400.com member writes, "What non-IBM printers support advanced function printing (AFP) on the iSeries? Is there a list of HP printers that support AFP? Does the printer have to be *IPDS compatible?" iSeries printing/output expert Chip ...  Continue Reading

  7. Print PDF documents that are stored in IFS

     One Search400.com member writes, "How can I print PDF documents that are stored in IFS? The PDF's contain images and text; I want to print them on Laser printers with CL code."  Continue Reading

  8. Answering and deleting messages in QSYSOPR message queue

     One Serch400.com member writes, "What controls a user's ability to be allowed to answer and (especially) delete messages in the QSYSOPR message queue? How can we restrict them?"  Continue Reading

  9. Managing the iSeries Navigator Application Administration functions

     One Search400.com member writes, "We have the need to allow a support profile that does not have *ALLOBJ authority to view a production user's profile joblog. We have found the way to address this via Skyview/Ops Navigator/Host Applications/...  Continue Reading

  10. Should the subsystems be shut down?

      One Search400.com member writes, "We have an old model F35 AS/400. I have been advised to do a SAVSYS. Do I need to shut down the subsystems prior to doing save system?" Backup and recovery expert Ken Graap responds.  Continue Reading

  11. Why are the locked objects shown as addresses only

      One Search400.com member writes, "Why are the locked objects shown as addresses only and not by name, library and type?"  Continue Reading

  12. What does the QDBSRVnn job do?

      One Search400.com member writes, "What does the QDBSRVnn job do?"  Continue Reading

  13. Printers remain in a PND status

      One Search400.com member writes, "We have three *IPDS printers attached to one e-Twinax controller -- all sharing the same IP. All spool files sent to these three printers remain in a PND status, forever. What can be done to clear this?" Backup and...  Continue Reading

  14. Finding the value for the 'message key' parameter

      One Search400.com member writes, "I am trying to set up a reply to a message that I am monitoring for. How do I find the value for the 'message key' parameter for the sndrpy command?"  Continue Reading

  15. Performance degradation

      One Search400.com member writes, "If the cache battery failed for the iSeries system (RAID5), is the system performance degraded?" Systems management expert Rich Belles says yes.  Continue Reading

  16. Profile without ALLOBJ authority to view joblog

      One Search400.com member asks, "We have the need to allow a support profile that does not have *ALLOBJ authority to view a production user profile's joblog. We have found the way to address this via Skyview/Ops Navigator/Host Applications/Customize...  Continue Reading

  17. Answer and delete in the QSYSOPR message queue

      One Search400.com member writes, "What controls a user's ability to be allowed to answer and (especially) delete messages in the QSYSOPR message queue? How can we restrict them?" Security expert Carol Woodbury explains.  Continue Reading

  18. Working with ODBC and dates

      One Search400.com member writes, "I use Business Objects and Viewpoint to access DB2/400 via ODBC. Since the new year some PTF's were applied (I don't know which ones) and now any SQL that converts strings to dates fails. The iSeries is managed ...  Continue Reading

  19. Run command on a PC

      One Search400.com member writes, "I want to start a .Wav file from my iSeries. It works with the STRPCCMD but the length of the parameter is limited to 123, which is too small. Are there any alternatives?" PC/Windows connectivity expert Shahar Mor ...  Continue Reading

  20. Working with the SAVSYS command

      We have an old model F35 AS/400. I have been advised to do a SAVSYS. Do I need to shut down the sub-systems prior to doing save system?  Continue Reading

  21. What is a Decimal Data Error?

      One Search400.com member writes, "Can you please tell me what a Decimal Data error is, and what is the scenario in which it is received?" Search400.com's application development expert John Blenkinsop explains.  Continue Reading

  22. Problems with print screen function on iSeries CA since upgrade

      One Search400.com user writes, "I am having an issue using the print screen function on iSeries Client Access since we upgraded it to 5.7." iSeries printing/output expert Chip Milosch offers some advice.  Continue Reading

  23. Finding users with passwords the same as the profile

      One Search400.com member writes, "We have eight iSeries systems, with the same user ID's on them, plus our clients user ID's. We need to check to see if user profiles are EQ to user passwords. Would IBM API's QSYRUPWD and qsycupwd be used for this...  Continue Reading

  24. Print a PDF file from the iSeries

      One user writes, "I'm having trouble with embedded spaces with the STRPCCMD command. The following works when I type it into the Windows start, run box: "C:Program FilesAdobeAcrobat 6.0acrobat.exe /p M:Blueprintssample.pdf" Thanksfully, Shahar Mor...  Continue Reading

  25. Command to manage longer addresses

      One user wirtes, "I am working with an iSeries application that uses the commands: strpccmd/strpco to redirect the user to a Web page on a local server. I would like the application to redirect to a different Web page but the address is too long ...  Continue Reading

  26. CPF3291 error on a rstlib command

      On a rstlib command (from a sav lib created tape) I get a CPF3291 error when the restore is to a second library (development restore of production data). All of the data and logical files are contained in the same directory, though the logicals ...  Continue Reading

  27. Convert iSeries output into a PDF

      One Search400.com member writes, "Please recommend the best way to convert iSeries output into a PDF and then e-mail it to recipients. The programs generating the output are written in COBOL. We are licensed for Infoprint Server." Printing/output ...  Continue Reading

  28. Granting user B the same private authorities as user A

      One Search400.com member writes, "I have a new user, and I want to give him all the authorities on objects which his predecessor has in his profile. To further clarify my query, I would like to give same authorities on objects to profile B which ...  Continue Reading

  29. Resetting SST user passwords

      One Search400.com member wrote, "How can I reset SST user passwords?" Security expert Carol Woodbury was on hand to offer some advice.  Continue Reading

  30. Cleaning up the QSYS library

      One Search400.com member writes, "How can I clean up the QSYS library? Currently my system's ASP is nearing its threshold value (75%) and upon checking, I found out that the QSYS library has consumed 50% of the storage used. How can I free it up? ...  Continue Reading

  31. Why can't we change the system value?

      One Search400.com member wrote, "We recently upgraded to V5R3, and we're no longer able to change system value QUTCOFFSET. Do you know what the problem is?" Systems management expert Dan Reusche explains what is going on.  Continue Reading

  32. Full system save with IBM's Advanced Job Scheduler

      One Search400.com member writes, "Does IBM's Advanced Job Scheduler allow one to schedule a full system backup on specific dates? If so, how would this be accomplished?" Backup and recovery expert Ken Graap explains.  Continue Reading

  33. How to permanently apply PTFs

      One Search400.com member writes, "I have an iSeries 620 box running V5R1. I temporarily applied PTF (TL03175) on this box and then IPL it on the B side. The next day I did an IPL on A side and still find that the PTL is temporarily applied. I again ...  Continue Reading

  34. TCP/IP connection between the two iSeries

      One Search400.com member wrote, "I have two iSeries servers with the same configuration, V5R3M0. Both servers are in one city, and I'd like to establish remote journaling between the two. What is the best way to establish a TCP/IP connection between...  Continue Reading

  35. Backing up one iSeries to another iSeries

      This user has two iSeries servers both running i5/OS R2. How can he back up system A onto system B? Search400.com expert Ken Graap advises.  Continue Reading

  36. Open ports for ODBC

      One user writes, "We had a power failure in the morning when there was no one was on site. The iSeries shut down and then IPL'd when the power was restored. When the offices opened for business, the users were unable to do any ODBC functions. The ...  Continue Reading

  37. Connecting an HP LaserJet to the iSeries

      One user writes, "I'm using a HP LaserJet 3030. I would like to use the printer to my iSeries. What's the best method to follow?" Printing and output expert Chip Milosch responds.  Continue Reading

  38. Import a text file

      One user writes, " I need to 'import' a text file located in the user computer to a DB2 table in the database. What's the best way to do this?" DB2 expert Kent Milligan offers some advice.  Continue Reading

  39. Variable-length fields in RPG IV

      One Search400.com user writes, "Is there a way to utilize variable-length fields in RPG IV? We do not use free form yet." Application development expert John Blenkinsop responds.  Continue Reading

  40. Verifying a backup is complete

       Continue Reading

  41. SQL Encrypt scalar function

      One Search400.com member writes, " I just read "Column Encryption in IBM DB2 UDB for iSeries. What is the encryption algorithm used?" DB2 UDB expert Kent Milligan explains.  Continue Reading

  42. Securing the iSeries Helpdesk

      This Search400.com member is trying to secure his iSeries Helpdesk. He understands that he has a few options, but he's not sure which method would be the best. Systems management expert Scott Ingvaldson shares his thoughts.  Continue Reading

  43. Changing QCRTAUT from *CHANGE to *USE

      One user writes, "I have been asked by an auditor to change the QCRTAUT value from *Change to *Use. If I change the libraries to *USE rather than the SYSVAL, will I accomplish the same thing without having to perform an in-depth study of Appendix D...  Continue Reading

  44. Determining the speed of an Ethernet card

      One Search400.com user writes, "How can I determine the speed of an Ethernet card on the iSeries?" Systems management expert Rich Belles shares his method.  Continue Reading

  45. Using the Print user profile command

      This iSeries user wonders if there Is a way to generate a report/file to display users, password expiration levels and date password expires. Security expert Carol Woodbury responds.  Continue Reading

  46. Saving escape characters

      One user writes, "How can I send escape characters to a network printer to change the font, orientation, etc? We currently do this with a printer interface module using "passthrough". When we try to send escape characters (hex 1B) directly to the ...  Continue Reading

  47. Check for invalid log-on attempts

      Is there a command I could use to check for invalid log-on attempts. I know I could use DSPLOG for MSGID CPF1393, but is there a way of passing info such as user, device and subsystem to an outfile to query later on?  Continue Reading

  48. Access data in SQL Server from the iSeries

      IBM's Kent Milligan shows you how to access data in Microsoft SQL Server from an iSeries program.  Continue Reading

  49. Running multiple SQL commands within a CL/QMQRY

      Running multiple SQL commands within a CL/QMQRY does not recognize the semicolon (;) separator. Is there a PTF that is required?  Continue Reading

  50. Getting authority for STRDBG

      One user writes, "What is the command to get authority for STRDBG?" Systems management expert Scott Ingvaldson was on hand to offer some advice.  Continue Reading

  51. Preventing users from using default passwords

      I changed the QOWDRQDDGT to one to eliminate default passwords, but the user's still able to change the password to be the same as the user name. What's happening here? What can I do to ensure that users cannot use default passwords?  Continue Reading

  52. Invoking a stored procedure from a COBOL program

      One user writes, "I am attempting to invoke a stored procedure (SQL) from a COBOL program. The stored procedure returns ONE result set, so the last (meaningful) statement in the stored procedure is OPEN cursor name. Once I issue the CALL in the ...  Continue Reading

  53. How to find out if there is a binding directory available

      One user writes, "Our company has many ILE programs that may or may not be created by using a binding directory. When I have changed a module within a program, how can I find out if there is a binding directory available to rebind (CRTPGM) for this ...  Continue Reading

  54. Problems printing a graph

      I have a spool file with Print Device Type *AFPDS specified. The output has an imbedded graph. The graph seem to print on an *IPDS defined printer only. Is there a way to print to a non-IPDS printer? Also, will that graph print on any IPDS ...  Continue Reading

  55. Changing a default printer

      One user writes, "I'd like to change the printer a usrprf has assigned. Can you tell me the best way to go about that?" Printing an output expert Chip Milosch offer some advice.  Continue Reading

  56. Setting the font size for reports

      I need to set the font size to Arial 13 in my reports (PRTF). How can I do this?  Continue Reading

  57. Error with MYLIB function

       Continue Reading

  58. iSeries to PC printing on HP printers

      How can I send an Escape <esc> seq in RPG so the printer can understand? Is it HEX 27 or ASCII 027?  Continue Reading

  59. Enabling FTP on your iSeries

      FTP is not configured on this user's server, so when he uses STRTCPFTP he's getting an error. What's going on and how can this be fixed? Search400.com expert Shahar Mor has some advice.  Continue Reading

  60. Using password expiration intervals

      I am trying to use the user profiles report to determine if any users have had their password expiration intervals set to something other than the system value. When I run the profiles report, all of the values are either a -1 or a 0. According to...  Continue Reading

  61. WRKENVVAR character limit

      I use the WRKENVVAR to set the variable CLASSPATH. The issue is that the CLASSPATH has already been filled up. How can I increase the length of the Value Field?  Continue Reading

  62. Migrating users' passwords

      We have upgrading from V4R5 to V5R3 LPAR on another machine. Is it possible to migrate the users' current passwords?  Continue Reading

  63. Read records on a subfile

      One user writes, "How can I read all records on a subfile? Using READC opcode, one can read only the changed records. I have been working with the SFLNXTCHG keyword but without success. A simple example illustrating the subfile DDS, as well as the ...  Continue Reading