Free trainings on using DB2 with BLU Acceleration

Many of you know that IBM is offering free trainings on Information Management products, so-called bootcamps, to business partners. Two new classes have been added that cover solely DB2 with BLU Acceleration:

• "Optimize BI - Analytics on DB2 10.5 with BLU Acceleration and focus on Cognos Bootcamp" - the title is almost as long as the 2 day bootcamp itself... It gives a deep dive into the BLU Acceleration technology and shows how DB2 fits into analytic scenarios
• "DB2 BLUcamp for SAP BW" is a one day workshop that introduces the BLU Acceleration technology and then details how to use it in a SAP environment

The new technology is also covered in some existing bootcamps. The regular "DB2 for Linux, UNIX, Windows Bootcamp" has an overview. The former DB2 Performance Bootcamp is now called "Performance Monitoring and Tuning for DB2 10.5 with BLU Acceleration for Linux, UNIX, and Windows" and discusses best practices from a monitoring and tuning perspective for BLU.

Business Partners can sign up using the registration links on the individual bootcamp pages. Free product certifications are usually offered at the end of a training session.

Today I did NOT work. I worked, had fun, and learned a lot

My plans for today are to have a lot of fun and to learn. And it is real work, really. So what is my schedule for today?

Part of the agenda is watching The DB2Night Show with the current DB2's GOT TALENT Contest. Experienced DB2 users share their secrets, special tips & tricks, and lessons learned. So it is an hour worth spending. It helps build up additional skills and will make your boss happy. And it is fun.

Then I plan to download the poster for DB2 10.5. After printing and distributing it in my department, it is easy to explain that the BLU Acceleration technology is something deeply integrated into DB2.

Next on my list is to make sure that my membership is the new German DB2 User Group (DeDUG: Deutsche DB2 User Group) has been confirmed. It is a free registration. More news about the DeDUG is here.

Last, I wanted to check that the backups are available, just in case. The weekend is coming up and I plan to have fun - without any work-related stuff. In the video below, Rodney sings about why we should care for backups, why they are not a waste of money and time. He was a bootcamp participant this week and backups were a topic.

Have fun, learn, and enjoy the weekend after finishing off work.

Upcoming DB2 Bootcamps

"Information Management Bootcamps are technical workshops in a classroom setting. They are held throughout the year in different regions worldwide and there is no charge to participate. These bootcamps contain detailed lectures and labs for deep-dive learning of DB2 10."

Right now three different bootcamps are offered regularly for DB2. Dates for upcoming bootcamps with registration links can be found on the respective webpage which also shows the agenda, prerequisites, and much more:

The DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Bootcamp is the foundation. It usually runs 4 days and gives an overview and introduction to the many features of DB2.

The DB2 Performance Tuning and Monitoring Clinic takes a look at performance best practices, monitoring APIs and related topics. 

The DB2 Advanced pureScale Bootcamp gives a deep dive into the pureScale technology, shows best practices for setup, administration, and diagnostics and allows participants to get "dirty hands" with small DB2 clusters.

Take a look, register, and improve your DB2 skills. BTW: At the end of a bootcamp, usually free certifications are offered.

Learn about DB2 10 in free bootcamps

As you might know, part of my job is to teach so-called bootcamps, free classes offered to business partners and customers. With DB2 10 fresh out the door it also means updated bootcamp content and slightly more bootcamps offered worldwide. At the end of each bootcamp we typically offer free product certification. Do you wonder whether a bootcamp is offered near you?

Here are some resources:

• An overview of all bootcamp types, covering DB2, InfoSphere products, Informix, and more: http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/data/bootcamps
• Agenda, dates, and registration links for DB2 10 bootcamps can be found here: http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/wikis/display/im/DB2+10+for+Linux%2C+UNIX+and+Windows+Bootcamp
• If you know about Oracle database technology and want to leverage your existing skills, then you should attend the DB2 10 Workshop for Oracle Professionals. Dates, agenda, and registration links are here: http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/wikis/display/im/DB2+10+Workshop+for+Oracle+Professionals

Will I see you soon in one of the bootcamps...?

Travel and Security Concepts

When I am teaching a DB2 class, or data management in general, security is always on the agenda. Authentication and authorization are basic terms, but often they are mixed up. That is the moment when I bring the following analogy.

Authentication is about making sure that I am really the person I say I am. This can be done during travel through a "government-issued identification card" (passport, driver's license, etc.) or when working with a computer through a userid and password (or keycard, token generator, a PIN, or a fingerprint). Often a special token is then issued which can be used as simplified identicator for a limited time. During air travel this is the (in)famous bording pass. On the computer it could be setting a cookie, a session identifier or something else.

Authorization gives me (after I have been identified) access to specific resources, it is the access control part of security. I am allowed only to board a specific flight, I don't have access to the lounge, I am allowed to sit in economy class, but not in business class, the pilot is allowed to use electronic devices during take-off and landing, I don't.

Next on the agenda: Groups and roles in DB2 (groups are controlled outside the database, roles inside).

New DB2 10 Bootcamps are coming

With the new version of DB2 we will be rolling out new free education classes for business partners and select customers. These so-called bootcamps, the DB2 10 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Bootcamp, the DB2 10 Workshop for Oracle Professionals, and the DB2 for LUW Performance Tuning and Monitoring Clinic will have updated content to introduce or utilize the DB2 10 features.

If you are a business partner and want to get up to speed (and certified!) on the new DB2 10 features, including trying them out through hands-on labs, then the DB2 10 Bootcamp is something you should look into attending. Starting in May we will be teaching them worldwide. For us who teach these classes it will also be exciting as there are probably tons of new questions we have to deal with...

One day DB2 pureScale workshops in Ehningen (Stuttgart) and Paris coming up

Workshops covering DB2 pureScale are coming up on March 17th in Ehningen (Stuttgart area, Germany) and in Paris (France) on May 6th. They include presentations in the morning and hands-on training in the afternoon. For more information and to register, visit the DB2 pureScale workshop website.

Some more pureXML bootcamps this year

Both in the USA:
Dec 1-2 in Minneapolis, MN
Dec 15-16 in Hardford, CT

Go to this link to sign up: https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/wikis/display/im/DB2+9.7+pureXML+Bootcamp

Where do you want to have a DB2 pureXML bootcamp?

A DB2 pureXML bootcamp is a 2 or 3 day long event where IBM experts teach business partners (BPs) and sometimes customers all about using XML together with DB2. A list of upcoming pureXML bootcamps is at the bootcamp and education overview wiki at developerWorks. The next scheduled pureXML bootcamp are in Zagreb (Croatia) at the end of October and in Atlanta (Georgia, US) in early November.

Now my question to you: Where do you want to see a bootcamp? Don't be shy...