Using start options and configuration lists

When you start VTAM®, you can enter start options on the START command, or you can write one or more start lists to assist you in starting VTAM. You can also activate your resources either manually or automatically. To automatically activate some or all of your resources, you can write one or more configuration lists. Writing start lists and configuration lists:

Reduces the amount of operator involvement and the chance of entering incorrect information
Enables VTAM to initialize the domain faster

You can code multiple start options or configuration lists and use these lists according to your needs. After you specify start options and configuration lists, they remain in effect until you modify them or until VTAM is halted.

The syntax rules for start lists and configuration lists are less restrictive than those for other VTAM definition files. Full line comments must always begin with an asterisk (*) in column 1 and cannot be continued on the next line using a continuation character in column 72. No continuation characters are required in column 72, and commas are not required between statements. Continuation characters and commas are permitted, if required, and will not cause a problem.

For more information about coding start options and configuration lists, see the Rules for coding start option lists and configuration lists section of the z/OS Communications Server: SNA Resource Definition Reference.