IBM Support

Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE 3.2.00 Release Notes

Product Documentation


Abstract

These Release Notes supplement Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE version 3.2 documentation. Release notes are updated with each release of the product and contain last-minute changes and product requirements, as well as other information pertinent to installing and implementing Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE. Read the document in its entirety before installation.

Content

The Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE package consists of the distribution media, a product key, and product publications. The Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE application is distributed on a 3480 cartridge tape. Product documentation is provided on CD-ROM.

Product Requirements

Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE has the following requirements:

Hardware and Software

Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE requires the following hardware and software.

Type Component Requirement
HardwareDASD Adequate space must be available for all Sterling Connect:Direct distribution libraries. Direct Access Storage Device (DASD) space requirements and calculations are explained in the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Installation Guide.
Tape Drive The distribution library tape is recorded on an IBM standard label, which can be generated on 9-track tape at 1600 bits per inch (bpi) or on a 3480 cartridge tape. See the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Installation Guide for the procedure to unload the tape.
SoftwareHigh-Level Assembler The High-Level Assembler for MVS & VM & VSE is required to assemble the sample Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE exits. The source library contains the sample exits.
TCP/IP Connectivity TCP/IP support requires one of the following
    • OpenConnect Systems TCP Version 2, Release 3.0.0

      • For information about the use of OpenConnect Systems TCP/IP, refer to the Configuring OpenConnect Systems Connectivity appendix in the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Administration Guide.

    • Connectivity Systems TCP/IP, Release 1.02 or later

      • For information about the use of Connectivity Systems TCP/IP, refer to the Connectivity Systems web site at http://www.tcpip4vse.com

MSHP The Maintain System History Program (MSHP) is required for MSHP installation. A partition large enough for the various utility programs invoked during an MSHP-controlled installation must be available; 1 megabyte should be sufficient.
VSE Operating System
  • VSE 1.3.x or later (MODE=ESA or MODE=370)
  • Any supported release of z/VSE.
  • Static or Dynamic Partition (Minimum: 6MB)
  • CICS/VSE Release 2.2 or later for Sterling Connect:Direct for CICS
  • Sterling Connect:Direct for CICS running in a static or dynamic partition
VTAM VTAM support requires that PTFs UD50098 and UD50345 are installed on your system.
SNA Network
  • For NCP, you must have IBM Advanced Communications Functions for Network Control Program (NCP) Version 4.2 or later.
  • For NCP with the LU6.2 support, you must have IBM Advanced Communications Functions for Network Control Program (NCP) Version 4.3 or later.

Additional Requirements

Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE has the following additional requirements:

ComponentRequirement
Optional Disk and Tape Management SystemsSterling Connect:Direct for VSE supports Computer Associates CA-DYNAM and CA-EPIC disk and tape management systems.

Files created with Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE will not have the correct data set characteristics such as record format, logical record length, block size in their respective system catalogs because Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE uses dynamic allocation with VSE LIOCS.

To enable CA-DYNAM or CA-EPIC support in Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE, enable the DYNT.AUTOCAT and DYNT.DYNAMT initialization parameters. See the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Installation Guide for more information.

If you use systems such as Computer Associates’ CA-DYNAM/FI, you must disable DYNAM/FI in the partition (static or dynamic) where the Sterling Connect:Direct Data Transmission Facility (DTF) executes. To disable CA-DYNAM/FI, place the following JCL statement in your Sterling Connect:Direct DTF initialization jobstream.

VSE LIOCSSterling Connect:Direct for VSE dynamically allocates files to VSE, so you are not required to code job control statements such as DLBL, EXTENT, TLBL, and ASSGN for each Process. With this unique file access interface, Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE cannot work with programs or systems that modify the VSE DTF (Define The File) or label areas in storage. Sterling Connect:Direct does not support labels in the VSE system standard label area.

License Key

A license key is required to run Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE. This key is included on the installation tape. The key is associated with the installation tape VOLSER (volume serial) number and the DMGRATX program that is loaded during Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE installation.

To apply the license key to Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE.

1. Enter the key from the e-mail onto the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Post Installation Worksheet (See the Installation Worksheets appendix of the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Installation Guide.)

2. Enter the key as the value to the NDM.KEY initialization parameter. See the Defining Initialization Parameters chapter of the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Administration Guide for more information about initialization parameters.

Features and Enhancements

Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE version 3.2.00 has the following features and enhancements.

  • IBM Customer Information Control System/Transaction Server (CICS/TS) Support - The Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE CICS component now supports CICS/TS for VSE. Existing customers must contact Sterling Commerce Customer Support to obtain a new installation tape for this enhancement. The enhancement requires a complete Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE re-installation. See the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Installation Guide for instructions.
  • Sterling Connect:Direct Locking and Faster Processors Support - Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE internal locking mechanism was redeveloped and enhanced to support faster engines on IBM processors and to improve product reliability.
  • Allocating the COPY FROM data set by using the VSE DTF (Define The File) name - The new DLBLNAME COPY keyword enables a Process to allocate the COPY FROM data set by using the VSE DTF (Define The File) name rather than the data set name. This is helpful to organizations that run CA-DYNAM/D, CA-EPIC or BIM-EPIC and want to use processor and partition independent symbols in data set names. See the Sterling Connect:Direct Process Language Web site at http://pic.dhe.ibm.com/infocenter/cdproc/v1r0/index.jsp for a description of this parameter.
  • Dynamic Partition Support - VSE Dynamic Partition Support allows Sterling Connect:Direct, DMBATCH, programs using the Sterling Connect:Direct API, and CICS to run in VSE dynamic partitions.
  • VSE Librarian Support - The VSE Librarian support allows Sterling Connect:Direct to transfer and receive files from the VSE libraries and sublibraries.
  • DTF Tasking - This enhancement runs as much of the code as possible as a subtask, thus reducing the work of the main task. This change will improve DTF throughput.
  • VSE/POWER Spool Transfer Option - Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE provides the ability to route spooled output directly to other Sterling Connect:Direct platforms and to receive input directly from other Sterling Connect:Direct platforms.
  • Synchronous Submit This enhancement synchronizes batch or interactive applications with the execution of Sterling Connect:Direct Processes.
  • Enhanced Memory Management - This feature allows Sterling Connect:Direct to improve performance by eliminating the GETVIS/FREEVIS for DSECT storage on entry and exit to each program. The memory for DSECT storage will be maintained in a table unique to each TCA. By controlling storage at the step level, Sterling Connect:Direct can minimize storage allocation levels and experience memory management benefits.
  • LU6.2 Redesign - The LU6.2 redesign improves the initialization speed and reduces the number of messages issued during initialization. These changes enhance connectivity between Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE and the Sterling Connect:Direct for NetWare and Sterling Connect:Direct for UNIX platforms.
  • New Installation Procedure - The Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE installation procedure was redesigned for ease of use.
  • Event Services Support - The Sterling Connect:Direct Event Services Support (ESS) implements event services support through asynchronous event generation facility in Sterling Connect:Direct. The ESS is designed for use by external management and automated operations applications that require real-time notification of Sterling Connect:Direct activities. The ESS supports a general user exit point and an API for interfacing with user-written CICS automation applications.
  • Variable Compression - Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Version 3.2.00 implements a variable compression routine. This compression routine will be used when extended compression is specified and both sides support the variable compression routine.
  • Year 2000 Support - Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Version 3.2.00 provides support for a 4-digit year and any changes required for the new century.

Installation Notes

Before you install Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE, read all the information in this section and follow the guidelines.

  • Review Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Version 3.2.00 Release Notes for last-minute product information and pre-installation tasks.
  • Print and review the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Installation Guide from the documentation CD.
  • Complete any worksheets prior to installing Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE.
  • Review your security configuration to ensure compatibility with Sterling Connect:Direct before proceeding with the installation procedure. Refer to the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Installation Guide and the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Administration Guide for security options.
  • Verify that you have the current updates for Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE. Access current update information, including instructions for applying updates containing product fixes and enhancements, from the IBM download Web site at http://www.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/downloads.
  • If you are using CA-DYNAM, you may receive the following message during your installation. If you receive this message, respond with instructions to rewind (REW).

CADT017D *NOT LD PNT*  SYS006=cuu
    You may receive the following CA-DYNAM/T message during your installation:

    CADT039W OPENED OFF LD P
    You may ignore this message; no action is required.

Special Considerations

This section contains considerations in addition to the procedures contained in this document and the other Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE documents. Refer to the following notes before installing the product.

Additional Sample Processes

The samples described in the following table have been added to the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE sample library. Other sample processes are listed in the Tape Contents appendix of the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Installation Guide.

Member/Type Description
ARCPROC1.S Sample Process to archive ESDS statistics data set to a CA-DYNAM/D or CA-EPIC controlled disk file
ARCPROC2.S Sample Process to archive ESDS statistics data set to a CA-DYNAM/T or CA-EPIC controlled tape file
ARCPROC3.S Sample Process to archive ESDS statistics data set using the DMRTSUB method. Refer to the Using Statistics Administration chapter in the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Administration Guide
CZ749170.S MSHP statistics fix for Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE 2.1.00
DMSTBKEY.S Sample job to restore and rebuild the Sterling Connect:Direct statistics data sets after they have been archived to tape or disk.

Using I/O Exit

If the I/O Exit performs LABEL processing, it must lock/unlock the Sterling Connect:Direct lockword NIJBSLA Exclusive in order to serialize the usage of the partition’s label cylinder. The following figure illustrates this procedure.

LWORD   DC      CL12’NIJBSLA’

XYZ     GENDTL  CONTROL=E,LOCKOPT=1,
                NAME=LWORD,OWNER=TASK *

        LOCK    NAME=XYZ,FAIL= (WAIT/WAITC  your choice)


LIBR Statistics and Sterling Connect:Direct Statistics Records

If you require Sterling Connect:Direct statistics information on LIBR Process functions, remove the STAT.EXCLUDE=MC from your initialization parameter statements.

LIBR BSAM DCB Information

When referencing BSAM libraries in a Sterling Connect:Direct Process you must specify: DSORG, DSN, UNIT, and VOL=SER parameters.

When you copy data into a VSE BSAM library, you must add either a RECFM=F or a RECFM=V to your DCB parameter. This specification depends on the type of your input file. If you do not include the RECFM, your Processes will fail with the message SVSJ122I.

Update your DCB information as shown in this example:

DCB=(DSORG=PS,RECFM=F)

IBM Support

For more information about fixes, log in to the Sterling Legacy Software Request web site at https://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/iwm/web/preLogin.do?source=swg-SterlngLegacyreq, select Sterling Connect:Direct for VM Version 3.2.00, and then select the individual files you want to download.



Documentation Updates

There are no updates to the Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE version 3.2 documentation.

Product Messages

This section describes changes to Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE messages since the last release. If you use any of these messages in your automated Processes, please incorporate these revisions.

New Messages

Four messages were added to Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE version 3.2.00:

  • SITA701I VSE/POWER SPOOL TRANSFER OPTION HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED.
  • SCIB199I VSE/POWER SPOOL TRANSFER OPTION TERMINATED.
  • SITA335I THE DATEFORM PARAMETER IS INVALID.
  • SCSV059I THE YEAR IS INVALID.

Revised Messages

The following messages were changed in Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE version 3.2.00:

Status Message ID Message Text
Old:

New:

SITA036I

SITA036I

Connect:Direct for VSE 2.01.00 PUF 0 Initialization

Connect:Direct for VSE/ESA 3.02.00 PUF 0 Initialization

Old:

New:


Connect:DIRECT PUF0 - READY FOR COMMAND:

Connect:Direct PUF0 - READY FOR COMMAND:

Old:

New:

SSHA002I

SSHA002I

Connect:DIRECT QUIESCE SHUTDOWN HAS STARTED

Connect:Direct QUIESCE SHUTDOWN HAS STARTED

Old:

New:


Connect:DIRECT - RC=00000000 MSG=SSHA002I

Connect:Direct - RC=00000000 MSG=SSHA002I

Old:

New:


Connect:DIRECT Immediate shut-down has started.

Connect:Direct Immediate shut-down has started.

Old:

New:

SITB001I

SITB001I

Connect:Direct for VSE TERMINATION COMPLETE.

Connect:Direct for VSE/ESA TERMINATION COMPLETE.

Old:

New:

SITA026I

SITA026I 		CREATING THE SYSTEM TASKS(MASTER AND TIMER).

CREATING THE SYSTEM TASKS (MASTER AND TIMER).

Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Documentation

The Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE documentation, including supplemental documentation, is available on the documentation CD-ROM. You can download documentation from http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27023721.

The Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE documentation consists of:

  • Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Installation Guide
  • Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE Administration Guide
  • Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE User’s Guide
  • Sterling Connect:Direct for VSE User’s Guide for CICS
  • Sterling Connect:Direct Problem Isolation Guide
  • Sterling Connect:Direct Console Operator's Guide

Information on Sterling Connect:Direct Processes is available at http://pic.dhe.ibm.com/infocenter/cdproc/v1r0/index.jsp.

[{"Product":{"code":"SS4PJT","label":"IBM Sterling Connect:Direct"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Component":"Documentation","Platform":[{"code":"PF038","label":"z\/VSE"}],"Version":"3.2","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB59","label":"Sustainability Software"}}]

Document Information

Modified date:
17 December 2019

UID

swg27036485

Page Feedback