29
Fri, Nov
0 New Articles

TechTip: Are You Using the QIBM_QDB_OPEN Exit Point Wisely?

CL
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

If you dig a fence post hole with a backhoe, you will upset more dirt than you probably wanted.

 

My three-year-old son is a big Bob the Builder fan, and he's always reminding me to use the right tool for the job. The same principal can be applied to System i management in finding simple and effective solutions. System integrity and security is important, but you must take great care while implementing solutions in that area to limit the chances of adverse effects.

 

There are many ways to track data-related activities on your system, such as object auditing and trigger programs. In V5R3, IBM introduced the exit point Open Database File, otherwise known as QIBM_QDB_OPEN. When a job opens a file on your system, other than files located in a few excluded libraries, this exit point is called. By attaching a custom program, called an exit program, to the exit point, you can gather some valuable information, such as the following:

 

  • The opened database file and the user profile that opened it
  • The method of access used to open the file (i.e., Query, interactive SQL, other SQL-based interfaces, etc.)
  • The job name and number
  • The input operation (reading, updating, adding, or deleting)

Hold On, There's a Catch…

It's pretty nifty, but every tool has benefits and disadvantages. The danger with running an exit program attached to this particular exit point lies in the granularity of execution. Your custom exit program will be called every time the exit point is called for every file on your system, other than those included in libraries QTEMP, SYSIBM, QRECOVERY, QSYS, QSYS2, QRCL, QRPLOBJ, and QSPL.

 

Please read that last paragraph again and pay close attention to the italicized items.

 

There is no ability to filter what libraries are excluded from being processed by your custom program. You would have to handle that within your program. For example, the pseudo code would work like this during run time:

 

  • The program receives the data structure and an array of all files being opened, along with the who, what, and how information.
  • For each file being opened, you check the library name.
  • If that library isn't a library you care to monitor, then move on to the next file.
  • If the library is flagged as an "auditable" library (ERP, payroll, etc.), then continue on with your program logic to trap the data and do something useful with it.

 

What I'm getting at here is that, if you use this exit point, it's best to keep your code as clean and concise as you can, because it's going to be running a whole lot. Every time any file is opened, your program is going to kick off. I just can't stress that enough. You may experience performance problems, depending on the hardware and software configuration of your system, the number of files being opened, and the number of programs that are doing the opening. If you've got a high-performance model, chances are you have a reason for it (i.e., heavy workload). Let's just hope your box was sized for growth! Perhaps that big workload you planned for on your last box swap hasn't been implemented yet.

Weigh the Pros and Cons of All Your Options

Don't get me wrong here; this is a very powerful auditing tool. You can do awesome things like physically limit database file opens by specific interfaces. This gives you lots of granularity by closing windows into your system that aren't specifically defined by the IT department as legitimate. Say you want only interactive 5250 access to your payroll library and you want to disallow things like interactive Query or SQL. You can do this!

 

Depending on what you're trying to accomplish, using this exit point may be the right solution for you. I'd suggest you look at object auditing or triggers as well. Weigh the pros and cons with each method. Perhaps there are only 10 or 20 files on which you want to track read operations. Trigger programs would be great in that instance and would offer much less overhead than exit points or object auditing.

 

The key here is to properly define the job at hand. Then find the right tool.

Steve Pitcher
Steve Pitcher works with iTech Solutions, an IBM Premier Business Partner. He is a specialist in IBM i and IBM Power Systems solutions since 2001. Feel free to contact him directly This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: