Defining dump data sets

CICS uses the dump data sets for recording dumps as a consequence of a failure that is detected when CICS is running, or upon explicit request.

About this task

You must define two types of dump data sets:
  1. MVS system dump data sets, for recording system dumps that CICS requests using the MVS SDUMP macro.
  2. CICS transaction dump data sets, for recording transaction dumps.

Procedure

  1. For the initial installation of CICS, define a dump data set of between 5 and 10 MB.
    When normal operations begin, you can adjust this to suit your own installation's requirements.
  2. Change the SDUMP options using the MVS CHNGDUMP command.
    You must thoroughly review your use of the CHNGDUMP command when setting up your CICS region.
    1. Use the MERGE function to ensure that the areas selected by CICS to dump are included in the MVS dump data set output.
    2. Use the ADD option to replace any options specified by CICS when issuing the SDUMP.
      This can result in partial dumps being taken to the MVS dump data set.
  3. Define the CICS transaction dump data sets, as described in Defining the transaction dump data sets.

Results

When you start CICS for the first time, CICS uses system default values for the dump table options, and continues to use the system default values until you modify them.

CICS has a dump table facility that enables you to control dumps. The dump table lets you:
  • Specify the type of dump, or dumps, you want CICS to record.
  • Suppress dumping entirely.
  • Specify the maximum number of dumps to be taken during a CICS run.
  • Control whether CICS is to terminate as a result of a failure that results in a dump.