| Effective Term: | 2026/20 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability |
| Unit Title: | Mainframe Systems and Services |
| Unit ID: | ITECH3105 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | (ITECH2308) |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 020117 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
Mainframes play a central role in cloud computing. Over the years transaction and database management tools for mainframe systems have evolved to fit the needs of enterprise customers. This unit introduces major concepts and features that are applicable to principles of major mainframe systems such as Customer Information Control System (CICS), hierarchical and relational database systems including Information Management System (IMS) and Database (DB2), and Storage Management Subsystem (SMS). In addition, the other elements of mainframe system services such as virtualisation, UNIX and Linux are introduced and discussed. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Identify and explain concepts, components, and architecture of major mainframe (sub)systems and services. |
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| K2. | Contrast relational and hierarchical database in the context of transaction management (sub)systems and their services. |
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| K3. | Describe virtualisation services in relation to Linux operating system running in a mainframe environment. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Access mainframe services and operating systems via a command-line interface to interrogate, manipulate, and control access to storage and transactional processing subsystems. |
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| S2. | Plan, create, and implement solutions to business problems using JCL and REXX system-based scripting languages running on a mainframe. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Apply Mainframe technology to solve complex problems, thinking critically and applying information from a wide variety of sources including industry resources. |
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| Other outcomes: |
| Unit Content: |
This unit introduces major concepts and features that are applicable to the mainframe (sub)systems and services including Unix System Services (USS), transactional services (CICS and IMS), database services (DB2 and IMS), web application service (WebSphere), virtualization services with Linux OS as well as system services such as TSO/ISPF, JES, and RACF. In addition, mainframe scripting languages such as JCL and REXX are covered on an advanced level. •Concepts and features of mainframe (sub)systems and services. •Unix system services. •Scripting languages on a Mainframe including REXX and JCL. •DB2 relational database. •Customer Information Control System (CICS) transactional service. •Information Management System (IMS) transactional server and hierarchical database. •Virtual services for Linux with VM hyper-visor. •RACF (Resource Access Control Facility), a security system that provides access control and auditing functionality. •WebSphere application service |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1 Interpersonal | Students at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context | FEDTASK 2 Leadership | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 3 Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning. | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context | FEDTASK 4 Digital Literacy | Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities. | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context | FEDTASK 5 sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | Professional Standards |
| 1. |
K1, K2, K3, S1, S2 |
Perform tasks to develop practical skills needed by a mainframe professional |
Lab Exercises |
20%-40% |
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| 2. |
S1, S2, A1 |
Demonstrate skill acquisition and apply concepts to solve complex problems as encountered in real mainframe practice, such as those presented in certified industry badge credentials. |
Assignment(s) |
20%-40% |
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| 3. |
K1, K2, K3, S1 |
Review theoretical and practical unit materials to complete a sequence of industry-relevant mainframe management activities |
Practical Timed Tests |
20%-40% |
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