DFSMSdfp: Review the DCB block size specified in IDCAMS REPRO JCL
Description
As of z/OS V2R1, the IDCAMS utility is enhanced to support the large block interface (LBI) for working with data sets having a block size larger than 32 K. As a result of this change, the system is now sensitive to any incorrect DCB parameters that might be coded in the IDCAMS REPRO command. Specifically, the IDCAMS utility now uses an extended DCB (DCBE), which allows a large block size to be passed to OPEN macro processing. The block size is verified during OPEN processing.
Before z/OS V2R1, the IDCAMS utility could not pass a large block size (more than 32 K) to OPEN processing through the DCB; the block size specification was ignored. Instead, OPEN processing obtained the block size from the data set VTOC entry.
Table 1 provides more details about this migration action. Use this information to plan your changes to the system.
| Element or feature: | DFSMSdfp |
|---|---|
| When change was introduced: | z/OS V2R1. |
| Applies to migration from: | z/OS V1R13. |
| Timing: | Before installing z/OS V2R2. |
| Is the migration action required? | Yes, if you have JCL or programs that issue the IDCAMS REPRO command for data sets having large block sizes. |
| Target system hardware requirements: | None. |
| Target system software requirements: | None. |
| Other system (coexistence or fallback) requirements: | None. |
| Restrictions: | None. |
| System impacts: | If an incorrect block size is specified when the IDCAMS REPRO command runs, the system ends REPRO processing with condition code 12 (CC12) and error message IEC141I 013-68. |
| Related IBM® Health Checker for z/OS® checks: | None. |
Steps to take
To detect potential errors, review the DCB block size value that is specified in the IDCAMS REPRO JCL to ensure that a valid block size is specified for the intended storage device. Or, that the block size value is set to zero, which causes OPEN processing to use the system determined block size by default.
Reference information
For more information about the IDCAMS utility, see z/OS DFSMS Access Method Services Commands.