Under SMS, all permanent data sets must be cataloged. Only integrated catalog facility type catalogs can be used with SMS. Although a catalog contains entries for SMS-managed data, the catalog itself does not have to be SMS-managed, but it is recommended that catalogs containing entries for SMS-managed data also be SMS-managed. A catalog can contain entries for data sets that are SMS-managed, and entries for other data sets that are not managed by SMS.

All new SMS-managed data sets are cataloged when they are allocated, not when the job step terminates. SMS-managed generation data sets are cataloged in a "deferred roll-in" status at allocation, and then are "rolled-in" to the generation data group at step termination, if their disposition indicates they are to be cataloged. To set the disposition, use DISP=(NEW,CATLG).

You can change the GDG setting for reclaim processing as needed without having to IPL the system by specifying the keyword setting for GDS_RECLAIM(NO) in the IGDSMSxx member of SYS1.PARMLIB. If GDG reclaim processing is not desired the default is GDS_RECLAIM(YES). You can also issue the SETSMSGDG_RECLAIM(YES|NO) command to change the value specified in the IGDSMSxx member of SYS1.PARMLIB. This change is in effect only until you re-issue the command or IPL the system.

You cannot use password protection for catalogs or data sets cataloged in a catalog. Although you can define catalogs and data sets with passwords, SMS ignores the passwords. Use z/OS® Security Server Resource Access Control Facility (RACF®) to protect data that is cataloged.

There are special RACF facility classes that are used with SMS. You need to define these classes to restrict the use of certain functions. For instance, you should not normally be able to specify a catalog to be searched unless you have authorization for the RACF directed catalog facility class. See Storage Administration (STGADMIN) Profiles in the FACILITY Class for more information.

All SMS-managed data sets have entries in the VVDS. Non-VSAM data sets have non-VSAM volume records (NVRs). VSAM data sets have VSAM volume records (VVRs). This requires an SMS-managed volume to have a larger VVDS.

Temporary VSAM data sets that are SMS-managed also have VVDS entries, although they do not have BCS entries.

For more information on the Storage Management Subsystem, see z/OS DFSMSdfp Storage Administrationz/OS DFSMSdfp Storage Administration . For more information on catalog considerations when moving to an SMS environment, see z/OS DFSMS Implementing System-Managed Storage.