ProData Computer Services, Inc.

DBU FAQ's

1. Does DBU software program's allow users to adopt authority and modify objects that they are not authorized to?

DBU conforms to the object level security that is part of the System i/iSeries/AS400. DBU software does not have programs that use adopted authority that would allow the object level security to be circumvented by a user.

2. What are the System i/iSeries/AS400 systems requirements to utilize DBU?

DBU operates on System i systems at OS V3R2 or above.

3. What are the PC systems requirements to utilize the GUI feature?

DBU GUI operates on Microsoft Windows Station with TCP/IP connectivity to the System i. The interface was developed using JAVA and the JAVA virtual machine is distributed with the software.

Minimum requirement is a Pentium III with 128M RAM.
We recommend a Pentium III with 256M RAM.
DBU requires 45M of disk space.

4. How can I obtain additional copies of DBU GUI for my programmers?

DBU is distributed with a FREE single-user license to access DBU/GUI. Call our customer service representatives, charge it on your credit card, and we will provide a new access code to allow for your additional concurrent users.

If you have DBU already installed on your system, you will just need to input a new access code (type in DBUSEC and you will be prompted for the new code) and install the GUI on the additional PCs.

To deploy DBU/GUI to other users, simply install the DBU client version on each PC.

5. Can I migrate to DBU and still use the green screen?

Yes, DBU offers multiple ways to get to the data. The user now has the choice between a GUI version, the traditional green screen version, or thru the OPSNAV/iSeries Navigator to get at the data. Whichever method is used, the performance & functionality of DBU provides quick and easy access to all information about and contained within the DB2 database.

6. What is the OpsNav DBU plug-in?

OPSNAV/iSeries Navigator is a windows-like graphical user interface for managing the System i. OPSNAV/iSeries Navigator allows you to point-and-click your way through administration tasks instead of using the traditional command line interface. IBM encourages the integration of products like DBU using OPSNAV/iSeries Navigator plug-in support. DBU is a perfect fit for the OPSNAV/iSeries Navigator hierarchy, allowing you to readily view & edit files on your System i.

7. What are the PC system requirements to utilize OpsNav?

The OPSNAV/iSeries Navigator plug-in requires Client Access Express and V4R4 of the OS/400 operating system or later releases of i5OS.

8. I added a system to DBU via the Configuration dialog, but I still can't connect to the System i/iSeries/AS400. What's wrong?

Ensure you’ve correctly entered the IP address, user profile and password.

Check DBU GUI configuration and set Default Format and Mode to *DBUAUT.

9. I entered my user profile and password when I configured a system for the GUI version of DBU. Now DBU doesn't prompt for sign-on. Is my password secure?

Adding your password to the configuration during system setup is for convenience only. If there is any cause for concern in your shop concerning secure passwords, don't enter your password during setup. DBU will then prompt you for your password as necessary.

10. How do I install the green screen version from the downloaded file?

Executing the downloaded file automatically installs the green-screen version.

11. How do I install the green-screen version to multiple System i/iSeries/AS400 machines?

Run the installation program once for each machine. On the first run, select "DBU for iSeries." On subsequent runs, select "Update/Fix" when prompted. Enter the IP address for the target System i/iSeries/AS400 machine.

12. When I update DBU, do I need to delete the existing DBU 6.0 library?

No. DBU objects will be replaced without losing previous DBU settings (security settings, DBU apps, etc.).

13. Can I rename the DBU library?

The DBU library can be renamed however updates to our software from an executable link will not be able to be accomplished. To update the software once the DBU library is renamed you must use either the Web Update function of DBU/ GUI or update using a CD and the System i optical drive. You can also use the command DBUPTF (DBU 7.0 and later) and then F4 to specify the library to install updates to (you may need to remove restriction for port number 2809 in your firewall configuration for this process to complete properly).

14. I can’t get Web Update to work. I'm behind a firewall. Could that be the problem?

Yes. The port numbers that need to open to bypass a firewall for Web Update are 449, 8470, 8473, 8475, and 8476.

These are default port numbers and might have been changed by a customer's system administrator. If so, they need to use the "WRKSRVTBLE" command and open the port number for these services:
as-svrmap
as-central
as-file
as-rmtcmd
as-signon

15. How do I get a previous DBU library off of my system after I have installed the current DBU software?

Check to make sure all of your applications (DBUAPP *ALL) and your users (DBUAUT) have been copied for you from the previous DBU library to the current DBU library, then you can just delete the previous DBU library (if your users have stored data in this library we would recommend a backup first).

16. I have the current DBU library in my library list, but the previous DBU always comes up when I key in the DBU command. What do I need to do?

You must have the DBU command somewhere other than the current DBU library. Determine where DBU command is, WRKOBJ *LIBL/DBU *CMD. Either delete the command from the alternate library, or change the alternate command to point to the right library.

17. We have upgraded our system to V5R1 and are now getting a CPF3221 when trying to open a file within DBU.

If unable to open a file you will need to get PTF#-SI04228 from IBM.

18. I get an error message ( Error occurred while calling program or procedure *LIBL/DBU0155) when I press F17 to view a deleted record. What do I need to do?

DBU0155 (and RDR0155) are system level objects and the system must be set up to accept it. The system value, QALWOBJRST, needs to have the authority (if only temporarily) of either *ALL or ALWSYSSTT.

You also might have to change the system value of QVFYOBJRST from a "3" to a "1". Change the values and re-install DBU. Check your job log to make sure that the objects did get restored.
----OR----
You can duplicate objects from your previous DBU library (they are the same).

19. How do I key data in lower case?

To set the Upper/Lower Case flag, DBU the file, hit F4 for field list, then F10. This will show the upper/lower flag and allow you to change them on a per field basis.

Otherwise, F4 then F17 toggles upper/lower for all fields within the file.

You can also use the fast path commands UP/LOW in the Control Field (upper left portion of the DBU green screen).

20. Is there a limit to the number of key fields for DBU F6 (Set Key)?

Yes, DBU F6 (Set Key) can handle up to and including 32 key fields in any file.

21. How can we update our DBU software??

If your last update for DBU software is after April 1 2006, you can try to use the command DBUPTF to update the DBU software. You can determine the date of the last update of your DBU software by displaying a data area called DBUREL in the DBU software library. The date contained in this data area is the date of the last update to the DBU software. To use the command DBUPTF just prompt the command using F4 from the System i/iSeries/AS400 command line, here you will see the default library (DBU70). If you have renamed the DBU software library you can specify the name of the library to receive updates by substituting your library name for DBU70, if you take the default the updates will be made to the DBU70 library. Communication for this command is done using the Port number 2809. If you receive an error message regarding "Communications failure" you may need to check with your systems or network administrator and make sure there are no restrictions for Port number 2809 in your firewall configuration.

You can also use DBU/GUI to update the DBU software. Once you have DBU/GUI installed and your system connection configured, all you need to do is open DBU/GUI and go to Tools and then select Web Update. The DBU Web Update dialog box appears, listing each system that is configured for DBU/GUI with a check box to select which systems are to be updated. Once the system to be updated has been selected, click the Update button to begin the DBU software update process. You will receive messages detailing the progress of the update to the DBU software.

Other DBU FAQ's

1. Will your products work with an i5/OS/OS400 version upgrade?

All of our products are compatible with all versions of i5OS and OS/400. ProData is part of IBM’s Partners in Development which gives us advanced information concerning i5OS upgrades. If anyone encounters any incompatibility with any operating system that we support, changes would be made to our products immediately and made available on our web site.

2. How can DBU be made available for disaster site testing?

If you are on DBU 5.0 or a later version, save the DBU library you currently have on your system. Load this copy on your disaster site system. Execute DBU. If DBU has never been loaded on that system, DBU will run for 30 days without any codes. If DBU has been loaded previously, DBU will display the message that your "30 day trial has expired".

If DBU has expired, or you are on an older version reset DBU on the disaster system:

Contact ProData at 1-800-228-6318 for a Disaster Code. You will need to provide the disaster system serial number and the date of the test. Office hours are Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST.
You can also use the Customer Login at our web site.

3. How do I make documentation available on the System i/iSeries/AS400?

Copy the documentation to your IFS

4. How can I get the latest product upgrade?

Download from our web site
Email our sales department & we will email it to you.
Call us at 1-800-228-6318 and we will mail it to you.

5. What version and release date of DBU do I have?

Display the data area DBUREL and the version and the release date will be displayed. If you are using DBU and are in a file; from the Action Bar, select the Help pull down menu. Select 5 (About DBU). The release date is displayed.

6. Will DBU work on our new RISC system?

You will need a RISC ready version (DBU 6.0 or higher) to load on your machine. Contact us to get the version sent to you.

7. Do I need a new release of DBU when I upgrade our operating system?

Please contact our Customer Service department when upgrading your operating system. Phone us at 1-800-228-6318 or you can email us at sales@prodatacomputer.com

8. How do I obtain the Serial Number or Model Number of our system?

Serial number: at the command line enter DSPSYSVAL (cmd 4) value = QSRLNBR.
Model number: at the command line enter DSPSYSVAL (cmd 4) value = QMODEL.

9. What is an application?

An application is a method of saving the DBU screens, files & fields the way a user has designed them. After bringing up a file, selecting a logical, selecting & formatting fields, etc., type in APP in the control field of the initial DBU screen & a DBU application screen will appear. Press F6 to name & save your application. This application can be accessed by typing the DBU command with DBUTYP(*DBUAPP) & giving the application name. You may also access an application by keying DBUAPP (App Name) and pressing Enter.

10. Why doesn't my search work?

QTEMP needs to be in your library list and the object QSYS/QPRCRTPG needs to be changed to have *Public and *Use authority.

11. When I try to use the action bar, DBU goes into a loop. What should I do?

The fields on the action bar are defined as data Type I. This allows the tab key to advance to the next input capable field in the format but the user is not allowed to key into the field. DBU does not control the function of the tab key so it is a problem with IBM's Client Access.

Client Access Express service Pack SF65345 is causing the problem. You may want to uninstall the service pack and contact IBM. You can do all of the functions of DBU without using the Action Bar. Use the function keys and the fast path commands on the control field. Place your cursor on the Control Field and press F1 to see the fast path key commands.

12. When running the F15 Search function, is there any way to display ALL the results from that search?

If you specify *YES to the parameter 'Output Results to File' on the Search Screen (F15), all the records matching the search criteria will be duplicated in the file you specify. You can then display the output file any way you wish.

13. Will DBU work with flat files or System/36 files?

Yes, DDS is not required. The data will be presented in raw form. But you have various options:

You can create an application over flat files defining the fields. The file then appears as an externally defined file while using that application.
You can create DDS for your flat file by using a combination of the Import and Export function keys on the DBU Field Selection screen.
You may also use DBU Field Selection screen to define the fields and then export them as DDS.

14. Does DBU work with Null fields?

Yes, you may display, change or delete a record with null fields. IBM programming restrictions prevent us from adding a record with null values, unless you have DBU 5.0 or higher which have full capabilities.

15. Is 4096 the maximum record length?

No. DBU 5.0 and higher has a maximum record length of 9,999.

16. What if my maintenance is not current?

Call 1-800-228-6318 and you will be invoiced for maintenance or you can pay with your Visa/Master Card/American Express and receive the new version immediately. After installing the new version, you will be assigned a permanent access code.

17. How can I use the DBU command without adding the DBU library to my library list?

Create a duplicate copy of the command DBU from library DBUxx to the desired library or QGPL, and change that command to refer back to DBUxx, as follows (where xx is the version of DBU you are using): CRTDUPOBJ OBJ(DBU) FROMLIB(DBUxx) OBJTYPE(*CMD) TOLIB(QGPL) CHGCMD CMD(QGPL/DBU) PRDLIB(DBUxx)

18. How can I determine how much interactive resources DBU will use??

Interactive resource utilization by DBU is difficult to determine, depending on factors beyond our scope (such as file size, number of logical files, number of deleted records, and whether updates or views are being performed using DBU). DBU/GUI does not use interactive resources, DBU/GUI uses the System i/iSeries/AS400 typical Client/Server configuration when accessing your database objects and the resources used are batch processing.

JDE FAQ's

1. When using the JDE enhanced version of DBU is it possible to switch to the non-JDE version to view my raw data?

Yes, if you would like to view your data without the JDE enhancements just turn the JDE enhancement off by performing the following:

From a command line, key in DBU and prompt it (F4).
Change the last parm (JDE Installation . . ) to *NONE?

2. How is the access to 'WORLD' or 'ONEWORLD' determined

The DBU command has a parameter (JDE installation) to indicate how the JDE enhancement is to be used.

*NONE - DBU ignores the JDE dictionary and looks at the data in its native iSeries or AS/400 format.
*WORLD - DBU will look at the current *LIBL (library list) for the dictionary file F9202. If there is more than one library that does not start with DD7 (OneWorld library), DBU will display a list to the user and ask the user to select one. If there is only one library in the *LIBL (excluding DD7*), DBU will use that library. If the file is not found in the *LIBL the program will then starts the search over using *ALLUSR (all user libraries) and display a list or use the only library found as the default. The decimal positions and the date type are picked up from the F9201 file. The column headings and the field text are picked up from the F9202 file.
*ONEWORLD - DBU will look at the current *LIBL (library list) for the dictionary file F9202. If there is more than one library that start with DD7 (OneWorld library), DBU will display a list to the user and ask the user to select one. If there is only one library in the *LIBL, DBU will use that library. If the file is not found in the *LIBL the program will then starts the search over using *ALLUSR (all user libraries) and display a list or use the only library found as the default. The decimal positions and the date type are picked up from the F9210 file. The column headings and the field text are picked up from the F9202 file.
You can also use the DBUAUT (DBU User Authority Defaults) command and set the parameter for JDE installation (WORLD and ONEWORLD) to the appropriate setting. There is also an option to set the Default JDE data dictionary library in the same area.