We've just released the latest z/OS Connect EE open beta which is available now to download from our recently moved open beta website.
Although we have not added any new features to this open beta, the expiry date for this version is 27 January 2021. We have also included some maintenance fixes.
We encourage you to download this latest refresh, and we welcome your feedback on any features of the open beta.
Useful information about this open beta refresh:
Recent change to Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS)
JavaScript clients and the API toolkit require that CORS is enabled on the z/OS Connect EE server to allow you to connect to and test APIs on that server. Since z/OS Connect EE was released, Liberty support for CORS has been enhanced, allowing more control of the CORS headers used. z/OS Connect EE has been updated to no longer send the CORS headers, and the Liberty-supplied capability must now be used.
You must ensure that your server.xml includes the following configuration:
<cors id="defaultCORSConfig"
domain="/"
allowedOrigins="*"
allowedMethods="GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, OPTIONS"
allowedHeaders="Origin, Content-Type, Authorization, Cache-Control, Expires, Pragma"
allowCredentials="true"
maxAge="3600" />
Find out more.
Download website for z/OS Connect EE open beta
Our download website for z/OS Connect EE open beta recently moved to a new location. Therefore, please update any bookmarks you have pointing to the old site.
Open beta build and expiry dates
The build date for this version of the z/OS Connect EE open beta runtime is 20200929-1201 and appears on the BAQR0000I message.
This version of the z/OS Connect EE open beta is available for up to 120 days and due to expire on 27 January 2021 and appears on the BAQR9999I message.
However, do not panic! A newer version of the open beta with additional enhancements will be available to download before this version expires.
Open beta version of the API toolkit
The open beta version of the API toolkit to accompany the open beta z/OS Connect EE runtime is V3.9.8.5. This open beta version of the toolkit will currently only run on Windows. You are strongly recommended to use this version of the API toolkit with the open beta z/OS Connect EE runtime to enjoy the full suite of new features available in both the toolkit and runtime, and also to ensure you maintain compatibility.
WebSphere Liberty Profile 20.0.0.6
The version of WebSphere Liberty Profile embedded in this open beta is version 20.0.0.6.
The version level of the WebSphere Liberty Profile appears in both the top of the z/OS Connect EE messages.log file, and also in the STDOUT logfile.
Angel V14
The version of the angel shipped with WebSphere Liberty Profile 20.0.0.6 is version 14.
If you choose to remain at a lower version of the angel, you will see the following warning message in your z/OS Connect EE messages.log file when you start up your server:
CWWKB0127W: The current angel version is earlier than the version that the server expects. Update the angel version to the latest available version.
Find out more.
Java 8 required to run z/OS Connect EE
Java 8 is the only supported level of Java with this version of the open beta. Your z/OS Connect EE server will not start if Java 8 is not used. It will fail with message "CWWKE0042E: The correct Java version is not running. The runtime environment requires Java 8 or higher".
Find out more.
Feedback please!
While we hope you enjoy these new features, do understand that features delivered in the open beta are not always delivered in the GA product. Please provide feedback on these new features using the API Enablement forum including "z/OS Connect EE open beta" in the title of your post. Your feedback will help influence our decisions.
Get started today
Use the links below to find out more, and to get started with the open beta now!