Allocating control data sets

Before you can activate an SMS configuration, allocate the SMS control data sets and define their contents. Control data sets are virtual storage access method (VSAM) linear data sets that contain:

Base configuration information
SMS class, aggregate group, copy pool, optical library, tape library, optical drive, and storage group definitions
ACS routines

You can allocate control data sets with access method services or TSO/E commands. You can define and alter the contents of control data sets using ISMF. SMS uses three types of control data sets: a source control data set (SCDS), an active control data set (ACDS), and a communications data set (COMMDS).

Restrictions: Do not name any of your SMS control data sets the single word ACTIVE. SMS uses the single word ACTIVE as a reserved word indicating the active configuration residing in the SMS address space. Naming an SMS control data set 'ACTIVE' results in errors.

Do not allocate control data sets as extended format VSAM linear data sets.