Integrating on-prem DB2 for z/OS data with Cloud applications via Cloud Integration Service on Bluemix

DB2 for z/OS is the preferred Systems of Record for mission critical enterprise data. With the advent of Cloud paradigm, enterprise customers are looking for ways in which they can easily and securely expose DB2 for z/OS data to emerging Systems of Engagement. This has led to a hybrid cloud model, whereby public cloud offerings such as Bluemix need to access DB2 z/OS data hosted on premises.

With the growing popularity of Bluemix, customers want to quickly expose DB2 z/OS data to Bluemix developers as APIs and allow seamless integration of cloud and on-prem data. IBM Cloud Integration service for Bluemix has made that possible by adding native support for DB2 for z/OS as an enterprise endpoint. With Cloud Integration service on Bluemix, you can not only connect to on prem Db2 z/OS, browse and move data, you can also create REST APIs for DB2 z/OS CRUD operations that can be invoked easily by Bluemix applications.

To allow connectivity to DB2 z/OS running behind a firewall, you need to install and configure an on premise Websphere Cast Iron Secure Connector behind the firewall such that it has direct access to DB2. Secure Connector sets up a tunnel between company's secure network and Bluemix applications. Once you are connected to on-prem DB2 for z/OS using Secure Connector, you can sync data between on premise DB2 and Cloud Database using Data Sync capability. You can also choose to not move any data, but just expose REST APIs for Bluemix users to access DB2 data residing on prem.

You can find step by step instructions to access on-prem DB2 data from Bluemix at https://www.ng.bluemix.net/docs/#services/CloudIntegration/index.html#gettingstartedwithcloudintegation.