smf sample records

[2020jyc]

Hi, i would like to use smfexplorer to monitor SMF records, but there are no sample SMF records I can use to build. Is it possible somebody to upload sample records to start testings?

[giao-nguyen-quynh]

Sorry for the late response. Although we cannot upload sample SMF records to Github, you can request official SMF sample records from IBM here: https://dtsc.dfw.ibm.com/

[2020jyc]

thanks for sharing your experience v1gnesh and sorry to hear that. maybe I should stop here too.

[giao-nguyen-quynh]

Sorry for this inconvenience. SMF Explorer needs as backend the SMF REST Services on the z/OS host. Perhaps you can ask your z/OS sysadmin for test data?

[v1gnesh]

It's a huge hassle to setup a new zOSMF instance just to test it out.
It would be very helpful if IBM could setup a lab instance of zOSMF + Explorer, push the limits of SMF Explorer, and publish a doc on what resources are needed to have it (Explorer) running in full capability.

[giao-nguyen-quynh]

Hi, if you just need an environment to try out how SMF Explorer works, IBM Z Trial might be something for you. No installation, no configuration needed. There is also step-by-step guidance on different scenarios how to use SMF Explorer. Each trial is available for 2 hours in total across 3 days. If you need more time to finish the scenarios there, you can register for a new trial.

Regarding to the installation, please refer to SMF Explorer installation and SMF REST Services Installation.

[2020jyc]

this discussion leads into more mainframe adoptability with mainstream developer community. To be fair, IBM Z trial is not like AWS Free subscription or any solution to develop something in a month. I believe it is a three day trial as far as I remember and you know that better.