VSE Central Functions (5686-CF8) is the base component of VSE. It contains the following sub-components:
VSE/SP Unique code (5686-CF8-01) performs the following functios:
- Interactive Interface for Users: The Interactive Interface makes it easy to work with VSE's functions and facilities. It provides a unified interface with task-oriented menus and dialogs.
- National Language Support (NLS): VSE is available in US English and in national language versions for German, Japanese, and Spanish.Working with such a national language version means that the Interactive Interface with its helps and messages and the online explanations available for system messages are shown in the language ordered.
- Installation Support: Installation support includes automatic performance of initial installation tasks, help in configuring hardware addresses and terminal devices, and dialogs for installing the Generation Feature, optional programs, network tapes, and IBM service.
- Automated System Startup: The startup facility of VSE/ESA has procedures and jobs for performing a fast and efficient system startup. In most cases, no operator intervention is required, except for Initial Program
Load (IPL). The facility lets the operator select a startup mode, if required.
- Workstation File Transfer Support: Users can send data from programmable workstations to the host (and vice versa). After users retrieve data from the host, they can process that data independently at their workstation.
VSE/POWER (5686-CF8-03) stands for Virtual Storage Extended/Priority Output Writers, Execution Processors and Input Readers. It is the spooling system of VSE. As such it performs the following functions:
- It reads jobs from various input devices, including an RJE workstation, and stores them in the input queue (RDR queue)
- It starts jobs from the input queue in one of the partitions which it controls.
- It stores output from various jobs in one of the output queues (LST, PUN, or XMT) or on tape and, if required, controls the writing of it on a printer.
- On request, it transfers spooled output to a subsystem in another partition. The subsystem then can print, display, or punch this output.
- It maintains a transmit queue for jobs or output to be transmitted to another node.
Virtual Storage Access Method (5686-CF8-05) is an access method used with direct-access storage to provide fast storage and retrieval of data.
VSE/VSAM provides advanced data management support for files stored on disk devices. It also helps you organize and access data in files and libraries. VSE/VSAM supports ESDS, KSDS, RRDS, VRDS, and SAM ESDS files. The VSE/VSAM Backup/Restore and Space Management for SAM features complement the support provided by VSE/VSAM.
VSAM is divided into modules, which are logically grouped into the following components:
- Control block manipulation, which allows the user program to create, modify, display, and test the contents of some VSAM control blocks (e.g. ACB, EXLST, and RPL), and to build or delete a VSAM resource pool.
- Open, which connects a user's program to a VSAM data set and builds the control blocks required to permit the user to read from and write to the data set.
- ISAM interface, which allows the user program to issue ISAM macro instructions to process records in a VSAM data set.
- Catalog management, which writes and updates catalog records. Catalog management processes the catalog to obtain information for Open, Close, end-of-volume, and Access Method Services.
- DADSM, which allows the system to maintain VTOC labels for data spaces. In VSAM, DADSM is used by the catalog to create and delete data spaces, both unique and nonunique.
- Record management, which reads and writes records in response to user-issued VSAM and ISAM macro instructions. This component also reads and writes records for the catalog management component.
- End of Volume, which mounts volumes and allocates space. End of Volume modifies the existing control blocks to reflect the newly mounted volumes and newly allocated space.
- Close, which disconnects a user's program from a data set and releases the data set's control blocks built by Open. Close also updates statistics in the VSAM catalog.
- Service aids, which enable program maintenance and Field Engineering personnel to obtain dumps, maintain VTOC labels, and load phases.
VSE/Advanced Functions (5686-CF8-06) is a key base component of VSE. Through the supervisor, VSE/Advanced Functions provides basic system control for a VSE system. Basic system control includes functions such as storage management and input/output handling for the hardware attached to the processor. In addition, VSE/Advanced Functions contains various programs and functions such as:
- Job Control Language (JCL): A job or a job stream consists of JCL statements or commands. With JCL, you define a job to VSE and specify its requirements, like loading a phase or assigning input/output devices to symbolic names. JCL offers conditional statements and allows nested procedures.
- Librarian: The librarian program helps you create, maintain, and service VSE system libraries and private libraries. Each library includes one or more sublibraries with one or more members.
- Linkage Editor: This program generates, from one or more object modules (language translator output), one or more executable phases. It catalogs the phase(s) into a VSE sublibrary.
- Data Protection: VSE/Advanced Functions provides a number of data protection facilities. During the initial installation of VSE you are asked whether you want to run your VSE system with security on. If you request security activation, this means that files and libraries on disk devices can be protected against unauthorized access.
The Maintain System History Program (MSHP), a part of VSE/Advanced Functions (5686-CF8-07), is used to:
- Install programming packages by means of the MSHP functions 'INSTALL SYSRES' and 'INSTALL PRODUCT'. A package may contain "components" or "products" and each may be divided into a production and and a generation part.
- Install APAR/local fixes by means of the MSHP function 'CORRECT'.
- Install service tapes by means of the MSHP function 'INSTALL SERVICE'. This applies program temporary fixes (PTFs) to the operational VSE system for the purpose of preventive and corrective program service.
- Produce programming packages and service tapes.
VSE/AF Info/Analysis (5686-CF8-08) is a component that is used to manage, print and analyse dumps.
VSE/AF Input/Output Configuration Program (5686-CF8-09) describes a system's I/O configuration to the Central Processing Unit (CPU).
Before you install VSE, make sure that you have generated the I/O Configuration Data Set (IOCDS) on your processor. When you install VSE, you automatically install the VSE IOCP batch program. You need the VSE batch program to create a new IOCDS when you change the hardware configuration. You also need it to define and validate the IOCP macro instructions if you prepare for the installation of a new processor.
VSE/ICCF (5686-CF8-10) is an interactive tool for system administration and for program development. Through it, you can enter source code and data at your terminal, edit this information, and save it in a VSE/ICCF library. You can also create jobs and submit them for processing in a batch partition or in a VSE/ICCF interactive partition. VSE/ICCF provides also support for system control and supports functions such as dialog processing.
With VSE/FastCopy (5686-CF8-11) you can copy files between a tape device and a disk device or from one disk device to another. For the latter, the target disk must be of the same device type as the source disk. In case of FBA devices, an intermediate file must reside on tape. In case of CKD devices, it can reside on tape or disk. You can also copy complete volumes.
REXX (5686-CF8-16) in general is an extremely versatile programming language:
- common features of structured programming
- easy to read
- easy to learn and write
- can be intermixed with commands to host environments
REXX/VSE specifically provides - in addition to the standard kernel - VSE dependant commands and functions, that enable REXX to be used for all kind of system management purposes, especially to automate operation of your VSE system.
IBM service personnel use VSE/OLTEP (5686-CF8-13) to perform online tests of hardware devices for preventive maintenance and service.
OSA/SF (5686-CF8-30) is the Open Systems Adapter Support Facility. It is an application for customizing and managing OSAs. OSA/SF supports both OSA-Express and OSA-2 on all supported servers 8OSA-2 adapters are not available on the z990, z890 or z800).
The OSA/SF GUI can be used on any workstation and operating system that has the required releases of JAVA (Java Runtime 1.4 or higher) and JAVA help (JavaHelp 1.1.2 or higher) files. Use of the GUI is optional. A REXX exec command interface is also included with OSA/SF as usual. Note that OSA/SF is not required to set up an OSA-Express adapter when running in QDIO mode (CHPID TYPE=OSD) except for ATM adapters (not available on z990 or z890).
Businesses today are focused on the importance of securing customer and business data from loss and inadvertent or deliberate compromise. In addition, increasing regulatory requirements are driving the need for data security. The IBM Encryption Facility for z/VSE applies the powerful encryption capabilities of the IBM mainframe to allow you to encrypt sensitive information to be exchanged with your partners, suppliers, and customers.
The Encryption Facility for z/VSE Version 1 Release 1 feature is designed to be compatible with the Encryption Facility System z format provided as part of the Encryption Services feature in Encryption Facility for z/OS V1.1 and V1.2 (5655-P97). It allows you to exchange an encrypted file between your internal mainframe data centers, or exchange an encrypted file with your external business partners and vendors who have installed any of the following: Encryption Facility for z/VSE feature, Encryption Facility for z/OS Encryption Services feature (using System z format), or the no-charge Encryption Facility for z/OS Client Web download (either Java-based client or Decryption Client for z/OS). The Encryption Facility for z/VSE V1.1 is packaged as an optional, priced feature of VSE Central Functions V8.1 (5686-CF8).
Encryption Facility for z/VSE is a priced optional feature. Support includes, but is not limited to:
- Password-based encryption of session keys
- Data encryption with a randomly generated symmetric session key using AES-128 or Triple-DES algorithms
- Asymmetric encryption of randomly generated symmetric keys using the RSA algorithm with key lengths of 512-bit and 1024-bit (requires TCP/IP for VSE/ESA V1.5E)
- Asymmetric encryption of randomly generated symmetric keys using the RSA algorithm with key length of 2048-bit (requires TCP/IP for VSE/ESA V1.5E and a Crypto Express2, PCIXCC, or higher, crypto feature)
- Encryption of single SAM files, VSAM files, or VSE Library members
Encryption of virtual or real tapes
- Support of hardware-accelerated compression before encryption
- Encryption of complete backups made with any backup tool either from IBM or vendors
- Output of encrypted data on disk, virtual tape, or real tape
The CP Assist for Cryptographic Function (CPACF), available on IBM eServer z890 and z990 and IBM System z9 EC and z9 BC servers, is required. In addition, the Encryption Facility for z/VSE exploits IBM System z hardware technology, including hardware-assisted compression and Crypto Express2.
|
