If you’ve spent any time online in the last few months, you likely saw the buzz around ChatGPT, a new chatbot developed by OpenAI. Suddenly, the capabilities of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) are democratized, their insights and guidance no longer exclusively available for data scientists. While the breadth and depth are unclear, it is certain they will have an impact for years to come. The IBM® i is no exception. AI/ML will play a pivotal role in providing IBM i leaders the information, insight, and recommendations as to how best to optimize and modernize their IBM i environments. 

Join Rocket Software’s Jeroen van Dun, Senior Manager, Product Management, for a future-facing discussion about AI, ML, and IBM i strategy. In this session, we will talk about the data you should collect today to provide the dataset for the next generation of AI/ML experience tomorrow. In addition, we’ll discuss different touch points for consideration, including:

• Hybrid cloud 
• Enabling future technology & tool integration
• DevOps, including testing
• Application modernization
• Workflow automation
• Security

It seems that everyone—the government, regulators, insurance companies, enterprise security teams—is now requiring Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for IBM i system access. 

But how do you start enabling IBM i MFA, such that every necessary IBM i login is verified and protected using MFA?

Join SEA where we present the Complete Guide to IBM i Multi-Factor Authentication. We’ll discuss everything you need to know about implementing MFA verification on all your IBM i systems, including:

• Why IBM i MFA verification is important
• Key considerations for implementing IBM i MFA
• IBM i MFA options: native functionality, third-party apps and open source
• Implementing MFA sign-ins for key server access, including system logins, remote access, password resets, ODBC, SQL, and more
• MFA reporting and auditing needs

*BONUS* Each attendee will receive a copy of SEA’s new resource, Guide to IBM i Multi-Factor Authentication, compiled by SEA’s IBM i MFA & Security Experts.

You may be familiar with some of the SQL Services. Did you know that many can be used with integrated file system objects? This presentation will show you a number of ways to manage integrated file system objects through the use of SQL Services. Many examples will be shown so that you can get an idea of how these services could be used in your environment.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand which SQL services can be used with IFS objects
2. Learn ways these services could be applicable in your environment

This presentation will cover various best practices in using the integrated file system and integrated file system APIs to improve the performance of your applications.

Learning Objectives:
Learn what features are available that can help with application performance and apply them to new and existing applications which use the integrated file system.

The green screen isn't the only place where users can interact with IBM i file system data. Find out how and when to share your integrated file system to other platforms to let your users get more done with less effort. The latest updates to these file sharing methods will be included.

Learning Objectives:
- Understand the file sharing options on the IBM i and their differences
- Understand how to set up/use the file sharing options on the IBM i
- Understand how policy settings can affect IBM i NetServer functionality

Are you confused about IBM i Integrated File System security? You're not alone! Come to this session and learn the principles and best practices of securing your file systems. This session will cover more than just setting permissions (authority) on your objects. Other topics include virus scanning, controlling remote access, object audit, and more.

Learning Objectives:
- Understand the semantics of integrated file system security
- Learn other methods of securing beyond permissions including virus scanning, and more
- Learn ways to manage and improve integrated file system security

The integrated file system has become more integrated into every day processing for many customers over the years. The other integrated file system sessions discuss technical details of what it is and the different functional support provided. This session will discuss real life scenarios of file system usage and some common problems experienced by customers.

Learning Objectives:
Understand some of the common problems experienced with the file systems and solutions to those problems

The integrated file system is a mystery to many. Concepts and terminology are different than 'native IBM i' and will be covered. Also, did you know the integrated file system is not just one file system? Details on each of the different file systems will be discussed as well as the basic ways you can access the integrated file systems.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the basic concepts of the integrated file system
2. Understand the different file systems
3. Learn some ways objects within the integrated file system can be accessed

The integrated file system (IFS) is a part of the IBM i operating system that supports stream input/output and storage management similar to personal computer and UNIX operating systems, while providing an integrating structure over all information stored on your system. The IFS has been a part of the operating system since 1994, however many systems administrators new to IBM i are often confused about how best to access, organize, secure, and performance tune this critical piece of IBM i.  

This bootcamp consists of six video lessons and a complimentary set of session slides.  All sessions were recorded live at the COMMON POWERUp conference in Denver, Colorado from April 24 to 26, 2023.  All lessons are presented by Margaret Fenlon, the team leader for the integrated file system and servers team at IBM Rochester

This bootcamp is being provided at no charge to COMMON members through a generous sponsorship from Fortra.

Last Tuesday, April 11th, IBM announced the latest round of Technology Refreshes for IBM i: IBM i 7.5 TR2 and 7.4 TR8.  As usual, these TRs included enhancements for the integrated Db2 for i database to make life easier for database administrators, engineers, and users alike.  Scott Forstie, Db2 for i Business Architect, is here again to give you the rundown on these updates and what they mean for your environment. Join us and COMMON on Tuesday, April 18^th at 10:00AM CST to learn about the latest on Db2 for i.