z/OS System Operations Workshop

This course examines and explains the z/OS production environment from the perspective of the operations team. The course provides an essential grounding in using TSO/ISPF, and then it goes through the system's functions by following a logical sequence This begins with the start-up of the system (IML and IPL) and then follows how the system controls the application workload coming through and exiting the system. The operator's ability to control this process is also examined and explained in detail.
The course includes a number of practical, hands-on exercises.

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

What you will learn

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

describe z/OS architecture
list the major components of System z servers
describe the purpose and use of TSO/ISPF
use ISPF
browse and edit datasets
describe ICF catalogs
describe how z/OS & JES2 relate to each other
use the console to issue commands
Interpret z/OS & JES2 messages
use console control (K) commands
describe the uses of the master console
list the uses of the HMC
invoke the IPL process
explain the difference between 'cold' and 'warm' starts in z/OS
start and stop JES2, and explain the process
bring down (stop) the z/OS system
list the different device types
manage z/OS and JES2 devices
describe the differences between batch, started tasks and TSO
start and stop batch started tasks
display & control job queues in JES2
display and control active jobs in z/OS
control Initiators
control Started Tasks
display and manage JES2 output queues
describe the concept of system dumps
manage system problem situations.

Who Should Attend

New operators and others who require a foundation-level understanding of the z/OS operating environment.

Prerequisites

An understanding of the IBM mainframe computing environment at a conceptual level.

Duration

3 days

Fee (per attendee)

£1900 (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

ZOPS

The z/OS Platform

The components of a mainframe computer; Real Storage; Central Processing Unit (CPU); Channel Subsystems (CSS); What is a computer program?; A computer program needs memory; A Control Program; Multiple programs in memory; Multiprogramming; The concept of Interrupts; The purpose of an Operating System - summary; Middleware; The System z/architecture; MVS - z/OS operating systems; The history of MVS; Release cycle for z/OS; IBM zSeries processors; PR/SM; Logical Partitioning (LPAR); CF partition; Logical Partitions; Resource distribution in LPAR mode; Parallel Sysplex; Coupling Facility (CF).

Introduction to TSO

What is TSO; main uses of TSO; using TSO; when the TSO screen fills; logging on to TSO; logging off.

Introduction to ISPF

What is ISPF; the ISPF panels; the pull-down menus; the Primary Option Menu; changing ISPF settings, function settings and log/list defaults; identifying error messages, entering TSO commands from ISPF, exiting from ISPF.

Data Management

ICF catalogs; ICF components; ICF catalog layout; HSM functional overview; HSM working with SMS; SMS managed data.

Browsing Datasets in ISPF

Dataset naming rules and conventions; DASD dataset organisation; Partitioned Data Sets; Partitioned Data Set Extended; specifying dataset names, PDS member list panel and shortcuts; browsing the data; scrolling; FIND command; finding picture strings; the LOCATE command; splitting the screen.

Basic Edit via ISPF

The editing process; the edit entry panel; member or dataset edit panel; scrolling during edit; edit line commands; manipulating lines; ending an edit session.

z/OS, JES2 & Other Products - How They Relate

What is an operating system; z/OS overview; JES2 overview; z/OS & JES2 Job Management; Operator roles; Operator communications; z/OS products; DFSMS/MVS; Network software; Application development tools.

Operator Communication - the Console

Console types; Master Console authority; Operating modes; Operator command types; Route codes; Message Levels; z/OS command syntax; Commonly used z/OS commands; JES2 command syntax; Console message format; Console screen layout; Control (K) command; DISPLAY command; VARY CN command; Syslog & Hardcopy; SEND command.

Starting & Stopping z/OS & JES2

IPLing z/OS; IPL messages; IPL flow; TOD clock; Starting JES2; Controlling JES2; JES2 cold & warm starts; Stopping JES2; JES2 errors; JES2 Error codes; Stopping z/OS.

Input/Output Devices

I/O overview; Device types; Channel subsystems; Channels; FICON; Control units; Device numbers; Shared DASD; Offline/online; DISPLAY U command; VARY device command; VARY PATH command; JES2 devices; $D U JES2 command.

z/OS Workload and the Active System

Program execution environments; Batch processing; Started Tasks; Time Sharing Option (TSO); Executing program requirements; Program identification with JCL; All the JCL statements; The most used JCL statements; JES2 information in the job stream; Relationships between JCL statements; One or more jobs in a JCL stream; Getting work into the system; Getting a Started Task into the system; Getting a TSO user into the system; Getting a batch job into the system; Batch job queues; Job initiation; Step initiation; The job schedule' Reports and listings; Standard reports; Job log example; The active system; A job's phases; What is a System Task?; What is a TSO logon?

Reading and Queue Management

Reading job streams; Stopping and starting a reader; Cancel ($C) and halt ($Z) of readers; Examples of reader commands; Reading to the job queue; Readers and job attributes; Job name and Job number; $T for a READER; Job queues; Display of queues - $DQ and $DN; Examples of $DQ and $DN; Information on specific jobs - $DQ; Examples of $D for individual jobs; To change queue attributes; Examples of changing job status; HOLD and RELEASE jobs on the job queue; Examples of $H and $A; Job Control: CANCEL, RESTART, PURGE; Example of job control.

Active Job Requirements

Executing in MVS - the address space; Batch Initiators; JES2 and Initiators; Controlling initiators; Example of initiator control; Jobs in z/OS; Active jobs; DISPLAY active jobs; Examples of $DA; Examples of DISPLAY activity in MVS; Cancelling job; Examples of CANCEL; The $C command; Examples of $C; Volume mounts; Examples of MOUNT messages; The REPLY command; Examples of REPLY; DISPLAY requests; Example of DISPLAY R. M

Started Tasks

Started Tasks; The START command; Examples of the START command; The STOP command; Examples of the STOP command; The MODIFY command.

Output Queue Management

Output listings; List attributes; Commands for list queue administration; Display forms - $DF; Examples of $DF commands; List job - $L; Examples of the $L command; Display details of job output - $DO; Example of the $DO command; To remove list output - $PO and $CO; Examples of using $L, $DF, $PO, $O and $CO commands; Held output; Release output - $O; Examples of the $O command; Actual printing of output.

Problem & Dump Management

Non-system problems - ABEND; Job ABEND examples; System failure with recovery; SVC dumps; SVC dump management; Copying SVC dumps; Clearing a dump dataset; Full SYS1.DUMP datasets; 'Unusual' messages; 'WTO BUFFER SHORTAGE'; 'CHANNEL DETECTED ERROR'; 'AUXILIARY STORAGE SHORTAGE'; 'SMF DATA LOST'; Outstanding requests - D R; Examples of D R; The entire system hangs; Types of hung system; The Program Status Word; Displaying the PSW; The status in the PSW; Disabled WAIT; Disabled LOOP; Loop trace; Excessive spin loops; Message IEE331A; Default actions on excessive spin loops; Enabled LOOP; Enabled WAIT; Stand-Alone Dump; Taking an SA-Dump.