RLS

The RLS system initialization parameter specifies whether CICS® is to support VSAM record-level sharing (RLS). RLS is an access mode for VSAM data sets. RLS enables VSAM data to be shared, with full update capability, between many applications running in many CICS regions. With RLS, CICS regions that share VSAM data sets can reside in one or more z/OS® images within a z/OS parallel sysplex.

Defining RLS

You can define the RLS system initialization parameter in the following ways:
  • On the PARM parameter of the EXEC PGM=DFHSIP statement
  • In the SYSIN data set of the CICS start up job stream
  • Through the system console
  • In the DFHSIT macro

Values for RLS

Valid values for the RLS system initialization parameter are as follows:

RLS={NO|YES}
Valid values are as follows:
NO
NO is the default value for RLS. RLS support is not required in this CICS region. Files whose definitions specify RLSACCESS(YES) will fail to open, with an error indicating that RLS access is not supported. You should not specify RLS=NO if you have files that you want to open in RLS access mode (including the CSD).
YES
RLS support is required in this CICS region. During initialization, CICS automatically registers with an SMSVSAM control ACB to enable RLS access to files opened with RLSACCESS(YES).