CONSOLxx is an installation-created member of parmlib in which you can define a console configuration to meet the particular needs of your installation.
Through CONSOLxx, you can specify initialization values for all console configurations. For example, you can define the characteristics of the hardcopy message set and set routing codes for messages that do not have routing information. You can specify the parmlib member that contains tracing options for the operations services (OPS) component.
You also can specify the operator logon requirements for the consoles at your installation (except the system console). Setting operator logon requirements depends on the security policy in effect at your installation. For information about how operator logon requirements relate to securing access to system commands, and examples of defining consoles through CONSOLxx, see z/OS MVS Planning: Operations.
You can use some operator commands to dynamically change the console attributes. In distributed mode, the changes made by such commands are only effective when the console is active. The CONSOLxx values will be used the next time the console is activated. In both shared and distributed mode, for the most part, operator commands cannot change the attributes of an inactive console. See Related commands for more information.
SET CON= can be used to dynamically add a console definition
and to dynamically change console settings and attributes.
MCS consoles are locally attached to the system
through control devices that do not support Systems Network Architecture
(SNA) protocols. SMCS consoles use z/OS Communications
Server to communicate with the system and may be remotely attached
to the system. SMCS consoles are only available for use when the z/OS Communications Server is active.
HMCS consoles are on the Hardware Management Console Integrated 3270
Console window.