Using the system console

Console support makes it possible for a terminal to be both an operating system console and a CICS® master terminal.

About this task

If multiple console support (MCS) is in use, you can define each console to CICS as a separate terminal, and all consoles can communicate with CICS simultaneously.

You can use any operating system console as a CICS terminal, if it has been specified on the CONSOLE keyword of the CEDA DEFINE TYPETERM command. If this has not been done, you get the following message when you try to use the console:

DFHAC2015 This console has not been defined to CICS.

and your input is ignored.

All consoles that have been defined as CICS terminals can use automatic transaction initiation (ATI), and can receive messages from other terminals and consoles, as well as from CICS transactions.

In a system that has consoles and SNA LUs, a console can remain active when CICS and the z/OS® Communications Server are disconnected from each other. You can use the console to make or break the CICS-z/OS Communications Server connection without CICS being terminated.

Use the MODIFY and REPLY commands to start the CICS-supplied transactions from an operating system console.

In addition to the MODIFY and REPLY commands, the system programmer should consider use of the CONTROL, DISPLAY, START, and VARY commands when preparing console operator procedures. For information on these commands and other system details, see the z/OS MVS System Commands manual.