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Status Future consideration
Workspace z/OS
Categories Encryption Facility
Created by Guest
Created on Jan 22, 2025

RELATED IDEAS

Add a -force-textmode Option to IBM Encryption Facility to Ensure ASCII to EBCDIC Conversion on Decryption

Currently, the -t option in IBM Encryption Facility (IBMEF) does not enforce ASCII to EBCDIC conversion when decrypting files, unless the original encryption process explicitly used the  "--textmode" option in GnuPG. This behavior creates an issue for IBM z/OS users when receiving encrypted files from partners using GnuPG on Linux or other non-z/OS platforms.

The --textmode option in GnuPG is now marked as deprecated in the official GnuPG documentation. As a result, it may no longer be consistently used by external partners, leading to situations where decrypted files remain in ASCII, rather than being converted to EBCDIC as expected.
 

Proposed Enhancement

To address this limitation, we request the introduction of a new option in IBM Encryption Facility:

-force-textmode 
This option should ensure that decrypted files are converted from ASCII (or UTF-8) to the system’s default EBCDIC character set, regardless of whether the --textmode option was used during encryption.
 

Justification

  • Ensures compatibility with GnuPG versions where --textmode is deprecated.
  • Eliminates dependency on external partners correctly setting --textmode during encryption.
  • Provides z/OS users with direct control over text conversion, similar to the existing -ignore-textmode option but in the opposite direction.
  • Aligns IBMEF behavior with its documented functionality, which states that the -t option should trigger ASCII to EBCDIC conversion on decryption.

We believe this enhancement would significantly improve the usability of IBMEF for enterprise customers relying on OpenPGP encryption for cross-platform file exchange.

This enhancement has been discussed with IBM Support team in case TS017974098.

Thank you for considering this request.

Idea priority High
  • Guest
    Jun 25, 2025

    Hello,
    I would like to stress the urgency of this request. Each time we set up a new OpenPGP file exchange with an external partner, we encounter the same issue: we must explain the purpose of the --textmode option and convince the partner to include it in their GnuPG encryption command. This is repetitive, time-consuming, and prone to errors, especially since --textmode is now deprecated in GnuPG.

    IBM support suggested using a workaround by performing the ASCII to EBCDIC conversion in a separate job step after decryption. However, I believe this responsibility should remain within the scope of IBM Encryption Facility itself, which is already capable of performing this task.

    Introducing a -force-textmode option would greatly simplify the process and eliminate unnecessary operational overhead. I kindly ask the development team to give this request higher priority.
    Best regards

    Reply
  • Guest
    Apr 23, 2025
    the Requirement under consideration, I hope provided workaround in the case is working for now.
    Reply

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