Individual jobs can be given affinity to one or more members (less than the total configuration). Member affinity is required if a processor is operating in independent mode; that is, isolated from the complex and only running jobs specifically routed to it. Provide affinity for independent mode by using the SYSAFF= keyword on the /*JOBPARM statement.The $T command can be used to give member or independent-mode affinities to all jobs read from a specific input device (local or remote). The /*JOBPARM statement overrides the input device default.

Sysaff and independent mode are related to job submission, selection, and execution. They do not affect SYSOUT. Sysout can be selected regardless of the independent settings of the MAS members.

If a job's affinity is to specific members in the configuration or to independent mode, the job can be selected only by the members specified and only if the mode of the member (independent or not) matches that of the job. For a job transmitter, we check the independent mode matches, but not sysaff (member). This is because Offload and Network Job transmitters can, or will, send the job to another Node for selection and execution. Sysaff= and independent mode will be verified on the receiving side.

Member affinity is useful for special processing requirements (for example, emulation) not available on all members of the configuration. Independent mode is useful for testing new components with selected jobs while in a shared configuration. Independent mode must be checked (Member must match job characteristics) for any QGET type of operations. This includes Conversion, Execution, Purge and Job XMIT.

The display commands ($DA, $DN, $DQ, $DJ) can be used to determine (by SMF system ID) the member in which a job is active and the members eligible to process a queued job. The $T J command allows you to change affinities of individual jobs or of all jobs with given affinity. The $T MEMBER command allows you to place a member in independent mode. The $D MEMBER command displays the status of all members in the multi-access spool configuration.