Further to our previous article about the general benefits of messaging using IBM MQ for HPE NonStop, this post outlines some of the specific technical new features when running or migrating to IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8.1.
IBM MQ has been available for quite some time on several HPE NonStop platforms up to Version 5.3.1 (with various fix packs). These releases, however, are not supported on the current HPE NonStop X platform.
For HPE NonStop X, a new release is available for HPE NonStop servers with Itanium processors (J-Series OS starting from J06.20) and x86 processors (L-Series OS starting from L16.05).
The new release of IBM MQ on HPE NonStop replaces WebSphere MQ V5.3.1 on all supported HPE NonStop platforms. The End of Service of V5.3.1 was April 2020 (although WebSphere MQ for HP NonStop Server V5.3.1 continues to be supported under the extended support scheme for some time).
- IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8.1 provides a single solution for both HPE NonStop architectures that is both easier to install & use than earlier MQ versions
Runs on NSX and NSI:
IBM MQ on HPE NonStop V8 is built for and tested on both major HPE NonStop architectures.Simplified installation and upgrade user experience:
IBM MQ on HPE NonStop V8 has a new, wholly redesigned installer that offers a more straightforward and faster user experience than earlier MQ products on HPE NonStop - IBM MQ FOR HPE NONSTOP V8.1 benefits from key NonStop features to meet the ever-changing needs of modern business running mission-critical systems
Improved TNS Non-native application program support with greater memory headroom:
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8's binding library for TNS code 100 applications has been redesigned with a much lower memory footprint, freeing up valuable memory space for user applications.Single queue performance via multi-core parallelism:
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8's architecture allows the workload of multiple queuing operations to be spread over all available cores (IPUs). This parallelism also applies to the queuing workload for a single queue.Easier DR deployment using RDF or Shadowbase:
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8's design has been extended to allow the most important configuration files in OSS to be mirrored in Guardian Enscribe files under TMF control. This aspect of V8's design makes it easier to use popular replication tools such as RDF and Shadowbase to replicate an entire queue manager to a remote site.Inbuilt MQ client feature with global TMF support (for native programs):
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8 includes and extends the features previously offered by the standalone MQ Client for HPE NonStop product. V8 client support is now available for both NSI and NSX hardware platforms and works with both 32-bit and 64-bit application programs. IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8 continues to support global TMF transactions with remote XA-enabled queue managers.Multiple Queue Manager connects with unified global TMF support:
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8 allows each application (native or Java) to connect to multiple queue managers concurrently. Additionally, an application program using multiple queue managers can audit its MQI work using MQ sync point and single global TMF transaction.Modern TLS support including OCSP, Certificate Policy, Certificate Labels, Key Reset and SSL Cipher Reject:
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8 offers support for the latest cryptographic protocols for the secure transmission of messages over the network. V8 supports the TLS 1.2 protocol and Elliptic Curve and RSA algorithms. Additionally, a number of new TLS features are available, such as Secure Key Reset, Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP), Certificate Policy selection and multiple queue manager certificates.Supports more native programming languages, both 32-bit and 64-bit addressing models, OSS and Guardian and HPE's latest PUT threading model:
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8 uses HPE NonStop's latest multi-threading technology called Posix User Threads (PUT). V8 also supports customer application OSS programs that are written to use PUT. V8 continues to support Guardian application programs written in all HPE supported languages - IBM MQ For HPE NonStop V8.1 is now able to exploit new features and enhancements that have been available on other platforms for many years
Modern and more robust MQ clustering support:
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8's clustering feature has been revised to make it more robust, while adding modern capabilities such as configurable cluster workload management and support for multiple cluster transmit queues.
Powerful new CHLAUTH feature for network security:
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8 supports a new network security feature called CHLAUTH. Using common configuration methods (MQSC and MQ Explorer), users can define CHLAUTH rules that block or accept network connections based on IP address, UserID and certificate peer names.
CONNAUTH feature for authenticating user applications:
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8 supports new security rules that can require user application programs to authenticate using a UserID and password. These rules can apply to remote client programs, to local programs, or both.
New MQSC support for remote listeners and services:
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8 allows users to define remote listener programs within MQSC that are managed by the queue manager. Additionally, user programs can also be placed under queue manager control and started and/or stopped using MQSC commands.
Improved auditability using Command and Configuration events, and Activity Trace:
When enabled, Command and Configuration event messages are emitted when MQSC commands are issued and when MQSC objects are created, altered or deleted. These event messages can be consumed and processed by custom user programs or by third-party tooling. Activity tracing offers detailed information about the behaviour of applications that are connected to the queue manager.
Asynchronous Consume support:
Asynchronous Consume is a new MQI feature that allows a user application program to consume messages from multiple queues without blocking or waiting.
Message Properties and Selectors:
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8 supports Message Properties that are metadata attributes associated with each message under application program control. Application programs can use the new Message Selector MQI features to choose which messages should be read based on each message's properties.
Inbuilt support for Publish/Subscribe:
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop V8 adds new support for then Publish/Subscribe queuing model. The feature allows MQI application programs to publish messages to a topic, and multiple subscriber MQI applications can consume those publications. The MQ tooling has been extended to support the management of topics, in addition to queues, within MQSC.
Modern Java Bindings and JMS support:
Support for Java programs has been improved to include Publish Subscribe and support for Java Message Service 2.0 (JMS 2.0). V8 extends its Java support to include 64-bit JVMs.
