A system enters this emergency mode when use of the coupling facility is specified, but an error has made the coupling facility either inaccessible to or unusable by RACF®.

A serialization mode compatible with data sharing mode is used, allowing other systems in the sysplex to be in data sharing mode. However, RACF database updates are not allowed by a system in read-only mode. When MVS™ notifies RACF that the condition has been resolved, RACF re-enters data sharing mode. If the condition cannot be resolved, the data sharing group can be switched to non–data sharing mode with the RVARY NODATASHARE command.

Any functional updates to the RACF database other than for statistical purposes fail for a system in read-only mode.