The data set name table (ICHRDSNT) is an installation-defined load module that describes the data sets in the RACF® database to RACF. This table contains entries describing each data set in the RACF database and its backup data set. ICHRDSNT is also used to configure systems for the sysplex communication and data sharing options.

A data set's position in this table corresponds to the data set number in the range table. If a data set is named in the data set name table, it must be referenced in the range table. If the name table does not match (that is, has more entries than) the range table, RACF does not become active during the IPL.

RACF can have as many as 90 data sets in the primary database and 90 associated data sets in the backup database.