The storage for buffers for SMB techniques is obtained above 16 MB. If the application runs as AMODE=RMODE=24 and issues locate-mode requests (RPL OPTCD=(,LOC)), the AMP= parameter must specify RMODE31=NONE for data sets that use SMB.

SMB might not be the answer to all application program buffering requirements. The main purpose of SMB is to improve performance buffering options for batch application processing, beyond the options that the standard defaults provide. In the case of many large data sets and apparently random access to records, it might be better to implement a technique within the application program to share a common resource pool. The application program designer might know the access technique for the data set, but SMB cannot predict it. In such applications, it would be better to let the application program designer define the size and number of buffers for each pool. This is not unlike the requirements of high-performance database systems.