PK78812: THE SUPPRESSION OF AN A03 ABEND CAN BE ENABLED WITH A NEW ENVIRONMENT VARIABLE, BY DEFAULT THIS WILL BE OFF IN WEBSPHERE

Obtain the fix for this APAR.

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• In certain cases when the WebSphere for z/OS server has a
  non-daemon thread active during shutdown processing of the
  server an A03 abend is seen. The solution to the problem should
  be to ensure that all threads are daemon threads.
  .
  However, WebSphere for z/OS will provide a workaround to the
  A03 abend by giving the option of enabling a variable to
  suppress this abend. By default this variable will be off.
  .
  This apar will address this.
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  All users of IBM WebSphere Application      *
  *                  Server V7.0 for z/OS                        *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: After issuing a STOP command for a      *
  *                      WebSphere Application Server for z/OS   *
  *                      server, one of the address spaces       *
  *                      terminates with an ABENDA03/ABENDSA03.  *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  An ABENDA03/ABENDSA03 indicates that an address space is trying
  to terminate but a child task (thread) is still running.
  Occasionally it is possible for a WebSphere thread to hang as
  the server is stopping, which results in this abend.
  

Problem conclusion

• An ABENDA03/ABENDSA03 is not issued by or handled by WebSphere
  and so cannot be directly suppressed by WebSphere.  Instead,
  code was added to detect hung threads during STOP processing.
  When a hung thread is detected that would result in an
  ABENDA03/ABENDSA03, WebSphere now abends the address space much
  earlier with an ABENDDC3/ABENDSDC3 and a new reason code of
  000C000B.  This avoids the long delay that would occur before
  the ABENDA03/ABENDSA03 is issued.  In addition,
  ABENDDC3/ABENDSDC3 is handled by WebSphere and so it is
  possible for WebSphere to suppress the dump.
  
  A new property, suppress_hung_thread_dump, was introduced.
  Setting this property to 1 causes dumps to be suppressed for
  ABENDDC3/ABENDSDC3 with reason code 000C000B.
  
  APAR PK78812 requires changes to documentation.
  
  NOTE: Periodically, we refresh the documentation on our
  Web site, so the changes might have been made before you
  read this text. To access the latest on-line
  documentation, go to the product library page at:
  
  http://www.ibm.com/software/webservers/appserv/library
  
  The following changes to the WebSphere Application
  Server Version 7.0 Information Center will be made available
  in June, 2009.
  
  The topic "Application server custom properties for z/OS"
  will be updated to include the following description of the
  new suppress_hung_thread_dump custom property:
  
  suppress_hung_thread_dump
  
  Controls whether a dump is taken when an ABENDDC3 or an
  ABENDSDC3 occurs because a hung thread did not terminate in
  response to a STOP command.
  
  When a STOP command is issued for a server, a hung thread
  might fail to terminate, which causes an ABENDDC3 or an
  ABENDSDC3 to occur with reason code 000C000B. Setting this
  property to 1 prevents a dump from being taken if this abend
  occurs.
  
  Data Type          Boolean
  Default          0
  Used by Daemon          No
  
  The table in the topic "Changing the values of variables
  referenced in BBOM0001I messages" will be updated to include
  the suppress_hung_thread_dump custom property.
  
  The following information about the new 000C000B reason code
  for a DC3 ABEND will be added to the topic "Abend reason
  codes:"
  
  Explanation: A hung thread in supervisor state was detected
  during exit processing. Normally, this would result in a
  long delay as the address space shuts down before
  finally resulting in an ABENDA03/ABENDSA03.  The address
  space is being abended earlier in order to avoid this
  delay.
  Suggested Action:  For support, look up problem determination
  information on WebSphere Application Server eSupport page
  at:
  
  http://www.ibm.com/software/webservers/appserv/zos_os390/
  support/
  
  The following descripton of the a new C9C20040 error minor
  code will be added to the topic "Error minor codes:"
  
  Explanation: A hung thread was detected during exit processing.
  Suggested Action: IBM Internal Only
  
  APAR PK78812 is currently targeted for inclusion in Service
  Level (Fix Pack) 7.0.0.4 of WebSphere Application Server.
  Please refer to URL:
  
  //www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=404&uid=swg27006970
  for Fix Pack availability.
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

  PK78811

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  WEBSPHERE FOR Z

• Fixed component ID

  5655I3500

Applicable component levels

• R700 PSY UK46314

     UP09/05/16 P F905

Fix is available

• Select the PTF appropriate for your component level. You will be required to sign in. Distribution on physical media is not available in all countries.