Using HCD for I/O Configuration


The Hardware Configuration Definition (HCD) program is the I/O configuration tool for the z/OS environment. This course, designed for experienced z/OS Systems Programmers, will provide detailed and essential information on all aspects of HCD, as well as teaching the techniques required to design and implement an efficient z/OS I/O configuration.

The course includes as number of challenging hands-on practical exercises to reinforce the classroom sessions.

This course is also available for exclusive, one-company presentations and for scheduled public live presentation over the Internet, via the Virtual Classroom Environment service.

What you will learn

On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • describe the role of HCD with IOCP/MVSCP
  • use HCD panels to define a configuration comprising Processors, Logical Channel Subsystems, SubChannel Sets; LPARs and MIF, PCIe Functions, Channels (FICON, OSA, CF links, Hipersockets,), Control Units and I/O devices
  • describe the constraints and issues in building an I/O configuration
  • understand the concept of Logical Control units and Parallel Access Volumes
  • define FICON directors
  • define the OS Configuration
  • define Eligible Device Tables (esoterics, tokens and generics)
  • define NIP consoles
  • create validated work IODFs
  • use the CHPID Mapping tool to include PCHIDs in the configuration
  • create production IODFs
  • plan and perform Dynamic I/O reconfigurations
  • use HCD functions to maintain the IODFs
  • migrate an IOCP.

Who Should Attend

Systems Programmers and other technicians who need to understand how a z/OS I/O configuration is designed and implemented.

Prerequisites

Attendees should have a good understanding of z/OS at a conceptual level and the ability to use TSO/ISPF and JCL.

Duration

3 days

Fee (per attendee)

£1800 (ex VAT)

 

This includes free online 24/7 access to course notes.

 

Hard copy course notes are available on request from rsmshop@rsm.co.uk

at £50.00 plus carriage per set.

Course Code

MHCD

Contents

Introduction to HCD

I/O configuration principles; Logical Channel Subsystems; I/O configuration practicalities; I/O configuration addressing; Commands to display the status of channels and devices; HCD definition process; Objects managed by HCD; LOAD member of PARMLIB; IODF processing at IPL; IPL & NIP LOAD messages.

The HCD Dialogs

HCD and ISPF; HCD Primary Option Men; Creating a new work IODF; Sizing the work IODF; Defining the new configuration menu; Pull-down menu action bar; GOTO pull-down menu; Filter pull-down menu; Backup pull-down menu; Query pull-down menu; Help pull-down menu; Context menus; PF keys; Keyboard navigation.

Creating a New Configuration

Configuration structure; Operating system definition; Add an operating system; Processor definition; Add a processor; Logical Channel Subsystems; Multiple Logical Channel Subsystem; Define processor support level; LPAR definition flow; Actions on selected processors (LPARs); Add Partition; PCIe Functions; Adding a new PCIe function; Different types of PCIe Functions; Channel Path definition; Actions on selected Channel Subsystems; Add a Channel Path; Connect CHPID to LPAR; Additional Channel Path Information; Control Unit definition; Add Control Unit; Connect CU to Processor; Actions on selected processors; Connect CU to processor; Logical Control Units; Logical Control Unit definition; Device definition; Add Device; Connect Device to Processor; Define Processor Device Parameter; Connect Device to Operating System; Define OS Device parameters; Maintaining IODFs; Delete IODF option; Copy IODF; selection; View IODF option; Parallel Access Volumes; HyperPAV; Enabling HyperPAV; Define Eligible Device ; Creating a Validated Work IOD; IODF Activation Menu; IODF build messages - errors; IODF build messages -error actions; IODF build messages - error explanation; Validated work IODF name; Build production IODF; Print or Compare Configuration Data; Print Configuration Reports option; Report type selection; Report filtering; Print the activity log option; View the activity log option; View the activity log - output; Compare IODFs option; Compare IODFs report selection; Filtering Processor Compare reports; Filtering Switch Compare Reports; Filtering OS Compare Reports; Selecting Compare Report options; Compare CSS/OS Views option; Comparing hardware and software views.

Defining Directors

The Director; Switch configurations; Chained switch configurations; Switch definition; Sample configurations; Switch definition; Basic Fibre Channel Topology; Actions on switches; Switch Channel Path definition; Actions on Processors; Add Switch information to Channel Path; Connect CHPID to LPAR; Switch Control Unit definition; Actions on Control Units; Change Switch Control Unit; Define Control Units attached to switch; Add Control Unit (via switch); Connect CU to Processor; Switch device definition; Actions on Devices - Change Switch device; Change Device; Connect Device to Processor; Connect Switch Device to Operating System; Define OS Device Parameters; Connect Switch Device to Operating System; Device definition; Cascaded FICON Switches.

OSAs and Hipersockets

Open Systems Adapter (OSA); OSA diagnostic device; QDIO and non-QDIO; OSA Express CHPID definitions; Physical network links; Adding an OSA Control Unit and device; VTAM and TCP/IP definitions; Adding OSAD device; OSC/ICC; Hipersockets; Hipersockets definition; CHPID Type IQD; MTU sizes.

Coupling Facility

Coupling Facility; Create a CF LPAR; Coupling Facility links; Types of Coupling Facility links; Create CF Links; Connect LPARs together; Defining CIB Links; Defining CS5 and CL5 links; Structure Duplexing; Connecting two CFs together; Displaying the CF's connection.

CHPID Mapping Tool

CHPID mapping tool workflow; Build IOCP input dataset; IOCP input dataset; The Chpid Mapping Tool; CFR and IOCP files; Mapping; Process CU Priority; PCHID to CHPID Intersects; Export IOCP Input file; IOCP with PCHIDs; Migrate the configuration data; Build IOCDS option; Build IOCDS - file selection; Build IOCDS - create file.

Dynamic I/O

Dynamic reconfiguration in operation; Dynamic reconfiguration prerequisite; Installed UIMs; Device modification categories; IODF processing at IPL; Virtual Storage considerations; Preparing for Dynamic Reconfiguration; Activation Menu; View Active Configuration; Activation Scope messages; Activation Main Menu; Test Activate New Configuration; Performing Dynamic Reconfiguration; Activate New Configuration; Dynamic activation in a sysplex; Active Sysplex Member List; Actions on Selected Systems; Activate System Wide; Activate commands; Don't forget the applications.

Batch Processing

HCD as a batch job; Printing reports in batch; Comparing IODFs in batch; Allocating & copying an IODF in batch; Building an IOCDS in batch.

Online Exercises

There are extensive practical exercises throughout this course.


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