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Status Future consideration
Created by Siemon Kamstra
Created on Mar 15, 2022

Implement ability to configure XML-server security on WAS on z/OS

With Curam 8 the Curam XML server has new functionality for secure communication with TLS. The documentation (https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/spm/8.0.1?topic=server-securing-xml) explains how to configure this feature.

Our servertype is Websphere Application Server for z/OS (mainframe), supported by Curam. The configuration of the certificates for the XML server expects a file based keystore (p.e. keystore.p12).

Our admins use the RACF functionality of WAS for z/OS (for managing access to critical resources). RACF works with centrally managed keyrings that contain the keystores (and truststores) for specific resources.

They can not use RACF for configuration of the Curam XML server security. And this is a nuisance, as they have to manually export the desired keystore into a file each time the certificate changes and do this for all instances (server/node) where the XML server is installed.

The admins propose a relative easy solution for this: the use of Java System Properties (p.E. javax.net.ssl.trustStore/keyStore) and a switch property to signal that "WAS for z/OS" is used.

In our view the current implementation of this functionality for WAS for z/OS is not working as expected. We expect it to support the RACF possibilities of WAS for z/OS.

See also: WH00012447.

Regards,
Siemon

Customer Name Dataport, Hamburg, Germany
Persona Based Summary

As a WAS-on-z/OS administrator for Curam applications I want to configure the security feature of the Curam XML server with the existing RACF functionality of WAS-on-z/OS, because the current XML server security feature configure task is very time consuming.

Market Segment WH Government
Type of Request Customer Requirement
Market Opportunity

Implementation of this small feature will enhance the acceptance of the Curam product for WAS-on-z/OS administrators.

Usage frequency + #/type of users impacted

Every time the XML server is updated the admins have to do all the steps on every server instance.

CURAM:Workarounds + Proposed Solution

1) The workaround is to follow the Curam documentation for "Securing the XML server"

2) Proposed solution: the use of Java System Properties (p.E. javax.net.ssl.trustStore/keyStore) and a switch property to signal that "WAS for z/OS" is used. This would cost the admins a lot less time configurung the XML server.

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  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Apr 7, 2022

    Hi Siemon,

    We have reviewed your enhancement suggestion. Based on the information provided, our understanding of your request is as follows:

    You are requesting that we support the configuration of the XML server security feature on WAS for z/OS.

    Testing and verifying the usage of the RACF functionality of WAS for z/OS (for configuration of the Curam XML server security feature) is aligned with our current strategy for our product and we have accepted your suggestion as a consideration for a future release.

    Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas with us. We are committed to involving our users in building our product roadmap and appreciate your suggestions. Not all items under consideration will make it into a release. As plans are confirmed, you will be notified when a specific release includes this enhancement.

    Thank you,

    Sheryl Brenton, SPM Product Management Team

  • Guest
    Reply
    |
    Mar 22, 2022

    Hi Siemon,

    Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas with us. We are committed to involving our users in building our product roadmap and appreciate your suggestions.

    We will review the information you have provided and get back to you within 30 days. If additional details are required to complete our evaluation, we will send you a request for more information.

    Thank you,

    Sheryl Brenton, SPM Product Management Team