Printer Inventory overview

The Printer Inventory is a set of files in a z/OS® UNIX file system. The file system cannot be shared by other systems.

The Printer Inventory contains PSF FSS and FSA definitions, which contain configuration information about PSF functional subsystems (FSSs) and functional subsystem applications (FSAs). The configuration information includes some of the information that the PSF system programmer can specify in the PSF startup procedure, in the optional AFPPARMS data set, and in the PSF Exit 7 initialization (INIT) call.

Infoprint Server administrators create and manage the Printer Inventory using one of these methods or a combination of these methods:

• ISPF panels: The Infoprint Server ISPF panels let you add, list, browse, copy, edit, and delete PSF FSS and FSA definitions in the Printer Inventory.
• Printer Inventory Definition Utility (PIDU): PIDU lets you create, list, display, edit, delete, export, and dump PSF FSS and FSA definitions in the Printer Inventory. PIDU is useful for creating a large number of definitions at one time and for making the same change to many definitions. It is also useful for backing up and restoring the Printer Inventory. You can run the z/OS UNIX pidu command from the z/OS UNIX command line or as a batch program.
• Migration program: The Infoprint Server migration program for PSF creates PSF FSS and FSA definitions by copying configuration parameters in existing PSF startup procedures.

The Printer Inventory for PSF provides these benefits for PSF customers:

• It is easier for the administrator to use the Infoprint Server ISPF panels to specify PSF configuration information than to specify the same information in a PSF startup procedure or write a PSF Exit 7.
• After the administrator creates an FSA definition or changes information in an FSA definition, you only need to start (or restart) the affected PSF FSA for PSF to use the new configuration information. You do not need to restart all FSAs in the FSS.
• You can use RACF®, or a similar product, to control who can view and update the Printer Inventory.

Related information:

• Using Infoprint Server ISPF panels
• Using the Printer Inventory Definition Utility (PIDU)
• Using the Infoprint Server migration program