System operations

The tasks of starting, running, and stopping the MVS™ operating system involve controlling the MVS system software and most of the installation's hardware, including processors, channel paths, and I/O devices. This information is for people who need reference information about these tasks and the MVS system commands. They include:
  • Those who develop procedures for the daily operations, including system programmers and lead operators.
  • Operators who want to learn how to use a console to control MVS and how to change some of the console's characteristics.
System planners and system programmers should refer to the z/OS MVS Planning: Operations for more information on planning:
  • System and sysplex operation management
  • MCS (multiple console support) consoles
  • HMCS (HMC multiple console support) consoles
  • SMCS (SNA multiple console support) consoles
  • Extended MCS (Extended multiple console support) consoles

This topic describes how to operate an MVS system by using MVS system commands. Subsystem (JES2 or JES3) commands can perform many of the same functions as MVS system commands but are described in z/OS JES2 Commands.

Controlling MVS involves issuing commands on a console and responding to messages that appear on the console screen. Other books that describe controlling MVS include: