Hello community,

I've been working on setting up a monitoring solution for IBM Z mainframes using Zabbix. However, after conducting thorough searches, I haven't been able to find suitable agents or resources to link Zabbix with IBM Z mainframes.

If anyone has experience or knowledge in this area, could you please guide me on where to find the necessary agents or provide step-by-step instructions on integrating Zabbix with IBM Z mainframes?

Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Have you considered using the ZOWE API?

Thank you for your suggestion on using the Zowe API. While I'm new to this API, I'm interested in learning more.

My main concerns are security and flexibility. Could you briefly confirm if the Zowe API offers robust security measures and allows for customizing the metrics collected from IBM Z mainframes?

Understanding these aspects will help me decide if Zowe API aligns with my needs.

Thanks again for your time and insights.

Hi Iliass,

Hooking up Zabbix to IBM Z but this does sound like something interesting.   As Robert said,  the Open Mainframe Project Zowe technology (https://zowe.org) does have a component known as the API Mediation Layer.  What this provides is a single point of access to get at data and services from IBM Z endpoint, via REST API calls or else through web sockets.  Do you know for Zabbix what kind of data it's wanting to consume to perform its analysis and rendering ?  

>..My main concerns are security and flexibility. Could you briefly confirm if the Zowe API offers robust security measures and allows for customizing the metrics collected from IBM Z mainframes?

The Zowe APIML does offer a number of methods for securing access, including X509 client certificates,  multi factor authentication, personal access tokens, and should be able to meet whatever your security concerns are.  Data in the message response and request is encrypted with TLS private keys,  and configuration for high avaiability is possible through a number of deployment patterns.

Most of the endpoints available through the Zowe APIML are for basic z/OS services such as access files and jobs (the IBM Z equivalent of a task).   Is what you're looking to monitor system level information (CPU usage,  logs,  traces) or more application level information ?  It'd be great to learn more about your use case and then see what service is the one you'll likely need access for.

Best regards,

Joe Winchester

Hi Joe,

I trust this message finds you well. I want to express my gratitude for your comprehensive response regarding the integration of Zabbix with IBM Z.

As I progress in setting up Zabbix for monitoring IBM Z mainframes, your insights into the Zowe technology's API Mediation Layer (APIML) have been incredibly valuable. I appreciate your detailed information on the security measures provided by Zowe APIML.

I am seeking additional clarification and guidance, especially concerning the flexibility of Zowe API in customizing metrics collected from IBM Z mainframes. Our monitoring requirements extend beyond system-level information to include middleware components such as CICS, DB2, and used MSU.

Could you kindly shed light on how we can customize metrics collection, specifically for middleware components like CICS, DB2, and used MSU for cost optimization using the Zowe API? Your expertise on this matter would greatly contribute to the success of our monitoring project.

Thank you for your time and insights. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,