Customizing the NetSpool message log

The NetSpool started task can write informational and error messages in both the common message log and the NetSpool message-log data set:

The common message log lets you see messages from most Infoprint Server components and most transforms in one place.
The NetSpool message-log data set is an optional data set that is organized as a circular queue. When a message extends to the end of the data set, the next message starts at the beginning. In this way, the size of the message data set remains stable, with old messages automatically overlaid by newer messages. Not all NetSpool print job-related errors are written to the NetSpool message-log, so consider using the common message log to see all job-related messages.

To use the NetSpool message log, you must allocate space for the data set and initialize it. You can use the sample JCL in SYS1.SAMPLIB (APIMIJCL) to allocate space and run the ANFMFILE program to initialize the data set.

The NetSpool message-log data set requires these specifications:

Sequential organization (PS).
Fixed block format (FBA).
Logical record length (LRECL) of 57 at a minimum. 80 is suggested.
Block size (BLKSIZE) of about 10 records per block. 800 is suggested.

Secondary space is unnecessary because the ANFMFILE program formats all available space. To change the size of the NetSpool message-log data set, rerun the ANFMFILE program.

Tip: The ANFMFILE program produces a D37 abend when it completes processing.