Updating policies in a sysplex

In some cases you can update or change policy information in an existing policy, while at other times you must format a new couple data set in which to define the updated policy. The difference is determined by the size of the couple data set as it was originally formatted.

A couple data set is formatted to hold not only the policy data but also status data about the resources defined in that policy. Thus, if you increase the number of resources within a policy (for example, increasing the number of structures that can be defined in a policy), it might be necessary to define a new policy in a newly formatted couple data set. In general,

If the policy update requires increasing the size of the couple data set in which the policy resides, then you must first format a new couple data set using the IXCL1DSU utility.
If the update does not require increasing the size of the couple data set, then you can use the IXCMIAPU administrative data utility to create your updates.

See Formatting couple data sets for information on formatting a new couple data set.

To update policy information dynamically, you must run the administrative data utility, IXCMIAPU, against the active couple data set. The active couple data set contains both the active policy and a set of administrative policies. Run IXCMIAPU, omitting the DSN and VOLSER information, to update one or more administrative policies. XCF automatically synchronizes the updated policy information to the alternate couple data set. To switch from the active policy to an updated administrative policy, issue the SETXCF command to start the new policy.

See Coding the administrative data utility for information about updating policies in a sysplex using IXCMIAPU. Also, see Updating a CFRM policy for an example of updating a CFRM policy.