VTAM Cheat Sheet
VTAM is a complex piece of Software. But basically it's just a bit like the UNIX inetd plus network stack, allowing remote entities to access locally defined services.[1]
This article tries to help remembering things. It should serve as a quick reference for handling tasks.
Configuration
Usually, configuration is stored in a partitioned data set with the partial name vtamlst. To derive it's name, look into sys1.proclib(vtam) to see the dd statements. Usually, it's
- sys1.vtamlst, or
- sys1.local.vtamlst.
Notable members include:
- atcstr*
- Basic configuration. The CONFIG directive designates which atccon-file to load as default.
- atccon*
- A comma separated list of major nodes to be handled at VTAM startup.[2]
Remaining members designate major nodes. That is, textual definition files. This task is usually be done from a TSO session.
Concepts of Major and Minor Nodes
VTAM major nodes are roughly member names in the vtamlst PDS. The first non-comment line starts with a name, the literal VBUILD, TYPE=node type
, and optional parameters.
Major node types:
- ADJCP (Adjacent Control Point)
- APPL (Application Program)
- CA (Channel Attachment)
- CDRSRC (Cross-Domain Resources)
- CDRM (Cross-Domain Resource Manager)
- XCA (External Communications Adapter)
- LOCAL (Local SNA)
- LUGROUP (Logical Unit Group)
- MODEL (Model definition for dynamically created PU and LU; mostly for APPN)
- SWNET (Switched, this is the definition of a "real" node)
- DR (Dynamic Reconfiguration or Change)
- ADSSJCP (Adjacent Control Point Table)
- ADJCLUST (Adjacent cluster routing definitions)
- APPNTOSA (APPN-to-subarea Class of Service mapping table)
- SATOAPPN (Subarea-to-APPN Class of Service mapping table)
- BNCOSMAP (Border node CoS mapping definitions)
- NETSRVR (Network node server list)
- GRPREFS (Generic resources preferences table)
- SAMAP (Subarea mapping table)
- SNSFILTR (Session awareness sense filter)
Administering VTAM
This is done from a system console.
VTAM is required by TCPIP, but TCPIP is smart enough to cope with VTAM being shut down and restarted without caring for TCPIP.
VTAM Start commands
VTAM is usually automatically started in the course of an IPL.
Command | Comment |
---|---|
S NET | VTAM start with defaults |
S NET,,,(LIST=00) | VTAM start with atcstr00 |
VTAM Display commands
Command | Comment |
---|---|
D NET,APING,ID=REMNODE,LOGMODE=#INTER | Create an APPC "loopback" session |
D NET,APPLS | Display VTAM applications status |
D NET,BFRUSE | Display VTAM buffers in use |
D NET,CDRMS | Display VTAM cross domains status |
D NET,CDRSCS | Display VTAM cross domain resources |
D NET,COS | Display VTAM cos table in use |
D NET,GROUPS | Display VTAM groups status |
D NET,MAJNODES | Display a list of active major nodes |
D NET,NETSRVR | Display Network Node Server List, only valid if VTAM is in End-Node configuration. |
D NET,ID=name | Display VTAM resource status |
D NET,ID=*.name | Display VTAM resource status in any net |
D NET,ID=ISTADJCP,E | Display dynamic list of adjacent CPs |
D NET,RTPS | Display Rapid Transfer Protocol sessions. RTP is part of HPR. |
D NET,TGPS | Display Transmission Groups |
D NET,TOPO | Display APPN Topology |
D NET,TRL | Display Transport Resource List |
D NET,U,ID=userID | Display VTAM user ID status |
D NET,VTAMOPTS | Display VTAM startup options currently set |
VTAM Vary commands
Command | Comment |
---|---|
V NET,ACT,ID=name | Activate VTAM resource |
V NET,INACT,ID=name | Inactivate VTAM resource |
V NET,DRDS,ID=name | Activate VTAM dynamic reconfiguration |
VTAM Change commands
Command | Comment |
---|---|
F NET,VTAMOPTS,startoption=option | Run-Time change VTAM configuration |
F NET,VTAMOPTS,SORDER=APPNFRST F NET,TRACE,ID=resname,TYPE=BUF F NET,NOTRACE,ID=resname,TYPE=BUF |
Examples |
VTAM Halt commands
VTAM won't halt QUICK when application programs are active. Stop with the given commands.
- NFS-Client[3]
P NFSC
- TSO
P TSO
Command | Comment |
---|---|
Z NET,CANCEL | VTAM abnormal termination command |
Z NET,QUICK | VTAM somewhat faster termination command |
Z NET | VTAM normal termination command |
Literature
- IBM z/OS Basic Skills Information Center: Networking on z/OS
- IBM Redbook: P/390, R/390, S/390 Integrated Server: OS/390 New User′s Cookbook, document number SG24-4757-01