Operational characteristics

A hard-copy log of the VTAM® system console is not directly available to the program operator. A program operator, however, can:

Request that a copy of each VTAM command entered at the system console and each VTAM message sent to the system console be sent to the primary program operator log. The operator can see them at the primary program console in the form of unsolicited messages if the primary program operator implements a log. See the description of the MODIFY PPOLOG command in z/OS Communications Server: SNA Operation or the PPOLOG option of the START command in the z/OS Communications Server: SNA Resource Definition Reference.
Maintain a copy of each VTAM command issued by the program operator and each message received by the program operator by writing them to a printer or recording them on an auxiliary storage device.

An application program must control the display format of a terminal to be used as a VTAM operator terminal.

To have the same capability as a VTAM operator at a system console, a program operator must communicate with a system console operator to request certain operating system services (such as starting application programs). When there is not an active PPO, the messages or commands go to the system operator.

If a secondary program operator or a system console operator issues a MODIFY USERVAR command, the resulting solicited USERVAR messages are sent to both the originator of the command and the primary operator. The primary operator receives them in the form of unsolicited messages. If the command was issued by a secondary program operator and an active primary program operator is not available, the messages go to the system console as well as to the secondary program operator.

Note: The program operator can receive only VTAM messages. Operating system messages, even though related to VTAM, cannot be received by a program operator. This restriction does not apply to the system console operator.

In addition, it might be necessary to coordinate the operation of program operators and the system console operator.