Overview of parmlib members

Table 1 contains an overview of parmlib members. Note that IBM-supplied parmlib members use '00' for 'xx'.

Table 1. Characteristics of Parmlib Members
Supplied by IBM® Required or Optional Affects performance directly? Read at IPL or at command? Allows listing of parameters at IPL or command? Response to errors (N/A = not applicable) System symbols support? Concatenated parmlib support?
Syntax error Read error Unsupported parameters
ADYSETxx: Parameters that control dump analysis and elimination (DAE) processing.
yes optional yes At IPL and SET DAE command. no Error message requires the operator to correct the parmlib member SET DAE command. Error message requires the operator to start DAE again (using the SET DAE command) after the problem is fixed. N/A yes yes
ALLOCxx: Parameters that control installation defaults for allocation values.
yes, in SYS1. SAMPLIB optional yes IPL no Error message requires the operator to correct the parmlib member. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
ANTMIN00: Parameters that control ANTMAIN.
Yes optional no IPL, ANTMAIN startup no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. no yes
ANTXIN00: Parameters that control Extended Remote Copy (XRC).
Yes optional yes XSTART and XSET commands, ANTASnnn ANTCLnnn address space startup yes Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. no yes
APPCPMxx: Parameters that define or modify the APPC/MVS configuration.
yes, in SYS1. SAMPLIB optional yes START APPC or SET APPC operator command yes Error message requires the operator to correct the parmlib member. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
ASCHPMxx: Parameters that define scheduling information for the ASCH transaction scheduler.
yes, in SYS1. SAMPLIB optional yes START ASCH or SET ASCH operator command yes Error message requires the operator to correct the parmlib member. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
AUTORxx: Parameters that change the auto-reply processing settings on a system.
yes optional no IPL and SET AUTOR command no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
AXR00: Parameters that are needed when installation changes to default settings are required.
yes, in SYS1. SAMPLIB optional no IPL no Error messages require the operator to correct the parmlib member. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes no
BLSCECT: Parameters that control dump formatting performed by IPCS, and by the system (through the ABEND and SNAP macros).
yes optional no At IPL and at START BLSJPRMI no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. N/A no yes
BLSCUSER: Parameters that specify IPCS customization.
no optional no At IPL and at START BLSJPRMI no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. N/A no yes
BPXPRMxx: Parameters that control the OS/390 UNIX System Services environment and the hierarchical file system (HFS). The system uses these values when initializing the OS/390 UNIX System Services kernel.
yes, in SYS1. SAMPLIB optional no IPL no Error message requires the operator to correct the parmlib member. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
CEAPRMxx: Parameters that customize common event adapter (CEA) values.
yes, in SYS1. PARMLIB required no At IPL and F CEA,CEA= command yes, through F CEA,DISPLAY, PARMS command. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. no no
CEEPRMxx: Parameters that control default Language Environment® runtime options for a system.
yes, in SYS1. SAMPLIB optional no At IPL and SET CEE command yes Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
CLOCKxx: Parameters that control operator prompting to set the TOD clock, specifying the difference between the local time and UTC, and ETR usage.
yes optional no IPL yes Prompts operator to respecify, or cancel parameter through ENTER key. Prompts operator to respecify, or cancel parameter through ENTER key. Prompts operator to respecify, or cancel parameter through ENTER key. yes yes
CNGRPxx: Parameters that define console groups.
no optional no At IPL and SET CNGRP command. no Error message is issued. Operator is prompted for a new CNGRPxx member. Error message. yes yes
CNLcccxx: Defines how translated messages are to be displayed at your installation.
yes optional no At IPL and SET MMS command. no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. no yes
COFDLFxx: Allows a program to store DLF objects that can be shared by many jobs in virtual storage managed by Hiperbatch.
yes optional yes At IPL and START DLF command. no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
COFVLFxx: Allows an authorized program to store named objects in virtual storage managed by VLF.
yes optional yes START VLF command. no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
COMMNDxx: Commands to be issued by the control program immediately after initialization. JES commands may not be included.
no optional no IPL no Invalid commands are ignored and an error message is issued. No commands are processed. N/A yes (see Note 4) yes
CONFIGxx: Allows the installation to define a standard configuration that is compared with current configuration and to reconfigure processors, storage, and channel paths.
no optional no DISPLAY M command with CONFIG option and CONFIG command with MEMBER option. no Invalid commands are ignored and an error message is issued. Processing is terminated and an error message is issued. N/A yes yes
CONSOLxx: Parameters to define an installation's console configuration, initialization values for console services, the default routing codes for all WTO/WTOR messages that have none assigned, and the characteristics of the hardcopy message set. CONSOLxx also contains parameters that define the hardcopy medium.
yes, IEACONxx in SYS1. SAMPLIB required (unless joining a sysplex) no IPL and SET CON= command. Yes, if L option is specified with the CON parameter in IEASYSxx or by the operator. The L option is only valid at IPL Error message is issued. Operator is prompted for a new CONSOLxx member. Error message. yes yes
COUPLExx: Describes the systems complex (sysplex) environment for the system.
yes required yes IPL Note: Options changed using SETXCF command no Error message is issued. The operator may also be prompted for a new COUPLExx member. The operator is prompted for a new COUPLExx member. Error message. yes yes
CSVLLAxx: Allows an installation to list the entry point name or LNKLST libraries that can be refreshed by the 'MODIFY LLA, UPDATE=xx' command.
no optional no MODIFY LLA and START LLA commands yes Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
CTncccxx: Specifies component trace options.
yes depends on the component no At IPL or TRACE CT command no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
CUNUNIxx: Specifies parameters for Unicode conversion services.
no optional no Both Yes, messages are issued when Unicode conversion services are active Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. No No
DEVSUPxx: Allows an installation to specify whether data will be stored in a compacted format on a 3480 or 3490 tape subsystem with the Improved Data Recording Capability feature.
no optional no IPL no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. no yes
DFHSSIxx: Specifies message-formatting initialization parameters for the CICS® subsystem of the SYS1.PARMLIB library.
yes optional no IPL no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
DIAGxx: Contains diagnostic commands that control the common storage tracking and GETMAIN/FREEMAIN/STORAGE (GFS) trace functions.
yes optional no At IPL or SET DIAG command no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
EPHWP00: Allows z/OS® UNIX to use man pages.
yes Required for z/OS UNIX to use man pages. no Any BookRead invocation. no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. no no
EXITxx: Allows an installation to specify installation exits for allocation decisions.
no optional no IPL no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes no
EXSPATxx: Allows an installation to specify actions taken to recover from excessive spin conditions without operator involvement.
no optional no SET EXS command no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
GRSCNFxx: Configuration parameters for systems that are to share resources in a global resource serialization complex.
yes Required only if GRS=START, GRS=JOIN or GRS= TRYJOIN is specified.

Ignored if GRS=NONE is specified.

yes, by specification of the RESMIL parameter. IPL no Error message requires the operator to either correct the parmlib member and restart the system or reply NONE. Error message requires the operator to either restart the system after the problem is fixed or reply NONE. N/A yes yes
GRSRNLxx: Resource name lists (RNLs) that the system uses when a global resource serialization complex is active.
yes Required only if GRS=START, GRS=JOIN or GRS= TRYJOIN is specified and GRSRNL= EXCLUDE is not specified.

Ignored if GRS=NONE is specified.

yes IPL or SET GRSRNL command no At IPL: Error message requires the operator to either correct the parmlib member and restart the system or reply NONE. On SET GRSRNL command: Error message and the command is not done. At IPL: Error message requires the operator to either restart the system after the problem is fixed or reply NONE. On SET GRSRNL command: Error message and the command is not done. N/A yes yes
GTFPARM: Parameters to control GTF.
yes Optionally used. Can be modified by installation. Indirectly because SRM sysevent trace option is a tuning aid. START GTF Yes, automatically at START GTF. On any error, prompts for all parameters. Same as with syntax error. N/A no no
HZSPRMxx: Contains statements that define overrides to IBM Health Checker for z/OS check defaults and specify the IBM Health Checker for z/OS policy or policies for managing checks.
no optional no S hzsproc or F hzsproc command. Yes, through F hzsproc , DISPLAY command Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
IDAVDTxx: Parameters for VSAM dynamic trace.
                   
IEAABD00: Default parameters for an ABEND dump when a SYSABEND DD statement has been specified.
yes Optional. However, if member is unavailable, ABEND dumps may not be possible without DUMPOPT lists. no IPL no Message lists valid parameters that were accepted. Invalid parameters are rejected. Error message. Parameters are rejected. Error message is issued. no yes
IEAAPFxx: Names of authorized program libraries.
no optional. SYS1. LINKLIB and SYS1.SVCLIB are always authorized (see Note 5). no IPL no Prompts operator to respecify bad parameters or cancel parameters through ENTER key. Same as with syntax error. N/A no yes
IEAAPP00: Names of authorized installation-written I/O appendage routines.
no optional no IPL no Error message. Partial appendage name table is built, if possible. Same as with syntax error. N/A yes yes
IEACMD00: IBM-supplied commands that are processed during system initialization.
yes optional yes IPL no Ignores invalid command name. No commands are processed. N/A yes yes
IEADMCxx: Parameters for DUMP command.
no optional no DUMP command no Error message. Parameters are rejected. Error message. Parameters are rejected. N/A yes yes
IEADMP00: Default parameters for an ABEND dump when SYSUDUMP DD statement has been specified.
yes Optional. However, if member is unavailable, ABEND dumps may not be possible without DUMPOPT lists. Can be modified by installation. no IPL no Message lists valid parameters that were accepted. Invalid parameters are rejected. Error message. Parameters are rejected. N/A no yes
IEADMR00: Default parameters for an ABEND dump when SYSMDUMP DD statement has been specified.
yes Optional. However, if member is unavailable, ABEND dumps may not be possible without DUMPOPT lists. Can be modified by installation. no IPL no Message lists valid parameters that were accepted. Invalid parameters are rejected. Error message. Parameters are rejected. N/A no yes
IEAFIXxx: Names of modules to be fixed in storage for the duration of the IPL.
no optional yes IPL yes, if L option is specified with FIX parameter in IEASYSxx, or by the operator. Prompts operator to respecify bad parameters or cancel them through ENTER key. Same as with syntax error. Error message. Obsolete module names are ignored. yes yes
IEALPAxx: Names of reenterable modules that are to be loaded as a temporary extension to the PLPA.
no optional yes IPL yes, if L option is specified with the MLPA parameter in IEASYSxx, or by the operator. Prompts operator to respecify, or cancel parameter through ENTER key. Same as with syntax error. Error message. Ignores obsolete module names. yes yes
IEAOPTxx: Parameters that control resource and workload management algorithms in the system resources manager.

Beginning with z/OS V1R3, WLM compatibility mode is no longer available. Accordingly, you can no longer use any of the IEAOPTxx options that were valid in compatibility mode only. The information has been left here for reference purposes, and for use on previous systems.

IEAOPT00: yes

IEAOPTxx: no

optional yes At IPL and SET OPT command. yes, if L option is specified with the OPT parameter in IEASYSxx, or by the operator. Prompts operator to respecify or cancel parameter through ENTER key. If parameter is canceled, various defaults are used. Same as with syntax error. N/A yes yes
IEAPAKxx: "Pack List" names of groups of modules in the LPALST concatenation that the system will load between page boundaries to minimize page faults.
No. Optionally, installation can provide before IPL. optional yes IPL no Bypasses the pack group that contains the error. Processes the next group pack. The pack groups read before the errors are processed. Other pack groups are omitted. Error message. Ignores obsolete modules names. yes yes
IEASLPxx: Contains valid SLIP commands.
Yes, in SYS1. PARMLIB. required if SET SLIP=00 command is specified in IEACMD00. no At IPL and SET SLIP command no Normal SLIP response to prompt the operator. Processing stops. Syntax error message is issued. yes yes
IEASVCxx: Allows the installation to define its own SVCs in the SVC table.
no optional no IPL Yes, if L option is specified with the SVC parameter in IEASYSxx, or by the operator. Message is issued and the statement in error is not processed. Processing continues with the next statement. Same as with syntax error. Same as with syntax error. yes yes
IEASYMxx: Specifies, for one or more systems in a multisystem environment, the static system symbols and suffixes of IEASYSxx members that the system is to use. One or more IEASYMxx members are selected using the IEASYM parameter in the LOADxx parmlib member.
no optional no IPL L parameter must be specified with parameter or number. Prompts operator to respecify or cancel parameter through ENTER key. Parameters processed before the error are discarded. Also, in some error situations, a wait state occurs. Same as with syntax error. Same as with syntax error. yes yes
IEASYSxx: System parameters that are valid responses to the SPECIFY SYSTEM PARAMETERS message. Multiple system parameter lists are valid. The list is chosen by the operator SYSP parameter or through the SYSPARM statement of the LOADxx parmlib member (see LOADxx (system configuration data sets) for more information).
no See Note 2. See Note 3. IPL See Note 1 (L parameter must be specified with parameter or number). Prompts operator to respecify, or cancel parameter through ENTER key. Parameters processed before the error are retained. Parameters processed before the error are retained. Operator is asked to specify an alternate member. If he does, new parameters override those retained. Obsolete parameters are treated as syntax errors. yes yes
IECIOSxx: Parameters that control missing interrupt handler (MIH) intervals and update hot I/O detection table (HIDT) values.
no optional no IPL or SET IOS command (to change the MIH values only). no Message is issued and default value is substituted. Same as with syntax error. Obsolete parameters are treated as syntax errors. yes yes
IEFSSNxx: Parameters that identify what subsystems are to be initialized.
yes required yes, depending on the function of each subsystem. IPL no Message issued identifying erroneous record. Next record is read and processed. Processing of the parmlib members is terminated and an error message is issued. N/A yes yes
IFGPSEDI: Initializes the Enhanced Data Integrity(EDI) for shared physical sequential data sets function.
no optional no At IPL and START IFGEDI command. no Error message requires the operator to correct the parmlib member. Same as with syntax error. Same as with syntax error. no no
IFAPRDxx: Parameters that define a product enablement policy.
yes optional no At IPL and SET PROD command. no, but information is available through DISPLAY. Skips to next statement in member. Processing is terminated and an error message is issued. Skips to next statement in member. yes yes
IGDSMSxx: Initialize the Storage Management Subsystem (SMS) and specify the names of the active control data set (ACDS) and and the communications data set (COMMDS).
no required no At IPL and SET SMS command. yes Default value is substituted. Same as with syntax error. Obsolete parameters are ignored. yes yes
IKJTSOxx: For TSO/E specifies authorized commands and authorized program, programs that are authorized when called through the TSO service facility, commands that may not be issued in the background, and defaults for SEND and LISTBC processing.
yes, in SYS1. SAMPLIB optional no IPL or TSO/E PARMLIB command no Error message is issued. Processing continues. Same as with syntax error. N/A yes yes
IOEPRMxx: Parameters that control the processing options for the zFS PFS.
yes optional yes IPL and start or restart of zFS (using SETOMVS =(xx) or reply R to BPXF032D message) yes, using MODIFY ZFS,QUERY, SETTINGS operator command Ignored. Error message is issued Ignored. yes yes
IPCSPRxx: Parameters that are used during an IPCS session.
yes optional no IPCS command initialization no Error message is issued. IPCS session continues. Same as with syntax error. Same as with syntax error. no yes
Start of changeIQPPRMxx: Defines parameters for PCIE related devices. End of change
Start of changenoEnd of change Start of changeoptionalEnd of change Start of changeyesEnd of change Start of changeBoth IPL and SET IQP commandEnd of change Start of changeYes, if L parameter specified with the IQP parameter in IEASYSxx, or by the operatorEnd of change Start of changeError message is issuedEnd of change Start of changeError message is issuedEnd of change Start of changeError message is issuedEnd of change Start of changeyesEnd of change Start of changeyesEnd of change
IVTPRM00: Sets Communications Storage Manager (ICSM) parameters.
yes, as a VTAM® component optional yes Initialized by first CREATE _POOL request received. yes Error message is issued. Processing continues. Same as with syntax error. Same as with syntax error. yes yes
IXGCNFxx: Parameters that control processing options for system logger.
yes, in SYS1. SAMPLIB optional yes At IPL and restart of IXGLOGR (through Start IXGLOGRS proc) or SET IXGCNF command. Yes, merged information is available through DISPLAY LOGGER,IXGCNF command. Start of changeAt IPL: Error message is issued and default values are substituted for all parameters.End of change Start of changeSame as with syntax error.End of change Start of changeSame as with syntax error.End of change yes yes
LNKLSTxx: List of data sets to be concatenated to form the LNKLST concatenation. You can also use PROGxx to define the concatenation.
Yes, in SYS1. SAMPLIB required if PROGxx is not used for LNKLST concatenation; otherwise, ignored if PROGxx is used. no IPL Yes, if L option is specified with LNK parameter in IEASYSxx, or by the operator. Prompts operator to respecify, or cancel parameter through ENTER key. No data sets are concatenated to SYS1. LINKLIB. Operator can re-IPL to specify an alternate LNKLSTxx member. Error message. Data sets not found will not be concatenated to SYS1. LINKLIB yes yes
LOADxx: Specifies data sets MVS™ uses to configure your system.
No. (See the IPXLOADX member of SYS1. SAMPLIB for JCL to create a sample LOADxx member.) required no IPL - from LOAD parameter on system console no Wait state is loaded. Error message is issued. Wait state is loaded. Error message is issued. Supports &SYSR1 as a volser. No other system symbol support. no
LPALSTxx: List of data sets to be concatenated to SYS1.LPALIB from which the system builds the pageable LPA (PLPA).
no optional no IPL Yes, if L option is specified with LPA parameter in IEASYSxx, or by the operator. Any valid data set definitions preceding the syntax error are concatenated to SYS1. LPALIB. No data sets are concatenated to SYS1. LPALIB. Operator can reIPL to specify an alternate LPALSTxx member. N/A yes yes
MMSLSTxx: Specifies information that the MVS message service (MMS) uses to control the languages that are available in your installation.
yes, in SYS1. SAMPLIB optional no IPL using the CONSOLxx member option. Modify with SET MMS command Yes, through the DISPLAY command Message is issued for each invalid member. Parameters are rejected. Same as with syntax error. yes yes
MPFLSTxx: Parameters that the message processing facility uses to control message processing and display.
no optional no IPL using the CONSOLxx member option. Modify with SET MPF command Yes, through the DISPLAY command. Message is issued for each invalid member. Message is issued; processing continues. Same as with syntax error. yes yes
MSGFLDxx: Parameters that message flood automation uses to detect and handle message floods.
yes, as CNZZMFXX in SYS1. SAMPLIB optional no SET MSGFLD command yes, through the DISPLAY MSGFLD command Error message is issued. Processing continues. Same as with syntax error. Same as with syntax error. no yes
MSTJCLxx: Contains the master scheduler JCL that controls system initialization and processing.
yes, in SYS1. LINKLIB required no IPL yes Abend issued and the statement in error is not processed. The system abnormally ends master scheduler initialization. Same as with syntax error. Same as with syntax error. yes (see Note 4) yes
NUCLSTxx: Specifies members of SYS1.NUCLEUS to be included in, or excluded from, the nucleus region at IPL-time.
no optional no IPL no Wait state is loaded; error message is issued. Wait state is loaded. N/A no no
PFKTABxx: Parameters contain the definitions for program function key tables (PFK tables).
no optional no IPL or SET PFK command. no Error message is issued. Error message is issued. N/A yes yes
PROGxx: Contains statements that define the format and contents of the APF-authorized program library list, control the use of installation exits and exit routines, define the LNKLST concatenation, and specify alternate data sets for SYS1.LINKLIB, SYS1.MIGLIB, SYS1.CSSLIB, SYS1.SIEALNKE, and SYS1.SIEAMIGE to appear at the beginning of the LNKLST concatenation and SYS1.LPALIB to appear at the beginning of the LPALST concatenation.
no optional; required if LNKLSTxx is not used for the LNKLST concatenation no IPL or SET PROG command. Yes through DISPLAY PROG Error message is issued. Error message is issued. Error message is issued. yes yes
SCHEDxx: Provides centralized control over the size of the master trace table, the completion codes to be eligible for automatic restart and programs to be included in the PPT.
no optional no At IPL and SET SCH command Yes, (L) is specified in IEASYSxx or in response to the specify system parameters prompt. Diagnostic error message is issued. Different processing is done for each statement type in IEASYSxx. Diagnostic error message is issued and the next record is read.   yes yes
SMFPRMxx: Parameters that define SMF options.
yes, in SYS1. SAMPLIB optional yes IPL or SET SMF command Yes, if PROMPT (list) or PROMPT (ALL) parameter is specified. Prompts operator to enter parameter or re-IPL. Same as with syntax error. Obsolete parameters are ignored. yes yes
TSOKEYxx: VTIOC parameters that are used by TSO/VTAM time sharing.
no optional yes START TSO command Yes, automatically at START TSO. Default value is substituted. Default value is substituted. N/A yes yes
VATLSTxx: Volume attribute list that defines the “mount” and “use” attributes of direct access volumes.
no optional yes IPL No. Operator has option to get list only if error occurs. Error message. Bypasses bad entry. Processes remaining entries. Operator is given choice of processing remaining list(s) if multiple lists, or specifying new VATLST VATLSTxx member, or reIPLing. N/A yes yes
XCFPOLxx: Specifies the actions that a system in a sysplex on PR/SM™ is to take when another system in the sysplex becomes inactive.
yes optional no SETXCF PRSMPOLICY command. no Error message requires the operator to correct the parmlib member Error message requires the operator to correct the parmlib member Error message requires the operator to correct the parmlib member yes no
Note:
  1. These parameters can be listed at IPL: APF, DUMP, FIX, MLPA, SYSP, and OPT.
  2. The only mandatory parameter is PAGE. Other parameters have coded defaults.
  3. Performance-oriented parameters in IEASYSxx: CMD, FIX, MLPA, OPT, REAL, RSU
  4. System symbols in COMMNDxx and MSTJCLxx are processed differently than system symbols in other parmlib members. See COMMNDxx (commands automatically issued at initialization) and MSTJCLxx (master scheduler JCL) for details.
  5. The system also treats all modules that are part of the link pack area (pageable LPA, fixed LPA, modified LPA, and dynamic LPA) as having come from an APF-authorized library.