COMMON POWERUp 2026: Full Schedule

Unlock the Power of IBM i at POWERUp 2026!

Join us in New Orleans, Louisiana for POWERUp 2026, the premier conference for IBM i professionals. Whether you’re an experienced expert or just starting your IBM i journey, this event offers unparalleled education, hands-on workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. Stay ahead of the curve with insights from industry leaders, explore the latest innovations, and connect with a thriving community that shares your passion for IBM i. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge, grow your skills, and power up your career!

5:05pm CDT

Using Distributed File System (DFS) with the Network Client File System (QNTC)

Monday April 27, 2026 5:05pm - 5:25pm CDT

Galerie 1

Evaluation Survey

The IBM i Network Client File System (QNTC) is used to communicate with servers that support Microsoft’s Server Message Block (SMB) network file system protocol. Distributed File System (DFS) is a protocol layer that sits atop of SMB and provides extra functionality like data integrity, data accessibility, and load balancing. Attend this session to learn more about QNTC, and the SMB and DFS protocols.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand what the SMB protocol is and its various versions. 2. Understand what QNTC and DFS are and how each are used. 3. See a demo of QNTC accessing a DFS namespace.

Speakers

Justin Nelson

Advisory Software Engineer, IBM

Justin Nelson is a software developer within IBM i development. He has worked on the IBM i since joining IBM in 2015. He is a member of the integrated file system & servers (IFS) team and specializes in the Network Client File System (QNTC), host servers, and Network Authentication... Read More →

Monday April 27, 2026 5:05pm - 5:25pm CDT
Galerie 1

IFS

8:00am CDT

Tame the IFS with SQL Services

Tuesday April 28, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT

Galerie 6

Evaluation Survey

In this updated and award-winning session, you will discover how SQL and IBM i (SQL) Services can be used to bring order to the IFS. Whether you aim to further secure, manage, or utilize the IFS, SQL can help get the job done. The Db2 for i team has made consistent and noteworthy investments to bring SQL capabilities that can be used with the IFS. Come to this session to see, understand, and be ready to use SQL with the IFS.

Learning Objectives:

Learning Objectives: 1. Understand what's possible with SQL and the IFS 2. Learn how to use SQL with the IFS 3. Gain awareness of the pitfalls and gotchas when using SQL

Speakers

Scott Forstie

Senior Technical Staff Member, IBM

Scott Forstie is a Senior Technical Staff Member within IBM i development and spends most of his time working as the Db2 for i Architect. He has worked on IBM operating system development since joining IBM in 1989.
Scott is a frequently published author, speaker at industry events... Read More →

Tuesday April 28, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Galerie 6

IFS, Database, Integrated File System (IFS), Security, Systems Management

5:05pm CDT

Extend the Integrated File System by Writing Your Own!

Tuesday April 28, 2026 5:05pm - 5:25pm CDT

Galerie 5

Evaluation Survey

Do you want a file system that writes and reads data from the cloud? Are you unhappy with the currently provided file systems on the IBM i? Well, now you can your own file systems! Attend this presentation to learn about the newest addition to the IBM i integrated file system (IFS): the User-Written File System (UWFS). This will give you the ability to write your own file systems with their own tailored semantics, usable through standard IFS interfaces.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand what the UWFS is and where it fits in with the other file systems. 2. Understand what it takes to write your own UWFS. 3. See a demonstration of a UWFS in action.

Speakers

Justin Nelson

Advisory Software Engineer, IBM

Tuesday April 28, 2026 5:05pm - 5:25pm CDT
Galerie 5

IFS

5:00pm CDT

Integrated File System Performance Strategies

Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

Studio 1-2

Evaluation Survey

Is your application or workload running slower than you’d like when accessing the integrated file system (IFS)? Do you want to learn how you can increase your performance without drastically overhauling everything? If so, then attend this session. In this session, we will discuss performance strategies like using user-defined file systems (UDFS) and auxiliary storage pools (ASPs), ways to reduce contention, and how to analyze file system performance. The latest updates to performance tools will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how UDFSs, ASPs, and spreading data across different storage units can help increase performance. 2. Understand extensions to some APIs that can help increase performance. 3. Understand and see demonstrations of performance analysis tools.

Speakers

Justin Nelson

Advisory Software Engineer, IBM

Wednesday April 29, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Studio 1-2

IFS

10:45am CDT

Real Time Access to the Integrated File System

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT

Balcony I-J

Evaluation Survey

The green screen isn't the only place where users can interact with IBM i file system data. Find out how and when to share your integrated file system with other platforms to let your users get more done with less effort. The latest updates to these file sharing methods will be included.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the file sharing options on the IBM i and their differences. 2. Understand how to set up/use the file sharing options on the IBM i. 3. Understand how policy settings can affect IBM i NetServer functionality.

Speakers

Justin Nelson

Advisory Software Engineer, IBM

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Balcony I-J

IFS

3:00pm CDT

Integrated File System Real Life Stories

Thursday April 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

Galerie 2

Evaluation Survey

The integrated file system has become more embedded in everyday processing for many customers over the years, each with unique environments and specialized workloads. This session will discuss real life scenarios of file system usage and some common problems experienced by customers. Latest 7.6 updates to file system security will be included.

Learning Objectives:

Understand some of the common problems experienced with the file systems and solutions to those problems.

Speakers

Justin Nelson

Advisory Software Engineer, IBM

Thursday April 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Galerie 2

IFS

COMMON POWERUp 2026

5:05pm CDT

Justin Nelson

8:00am CDT

Scott Forstie

5:05pm CDT

Justin Nelson

5:00pm CDT

Justin Nelson

10:45am CDT

Justin Nelson

3:00pm CDT

Justin Nelson

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