Creating MFS device descriptors

With MFS device descriptors, you can define screen size and feature combinations that are not generated during IMS system definition.

The MFSDCT utility (DFSUTB00) uses the MFS device descriptors in order to update device type, screen size, and features in the MFS device characteristics table. MFSDCT also uses MFS device descriptors to generate new MFS default formats, without requiring changes to the system definition. The MFS device descriptors are not created as part of a system definition, but are instead an optional step after IMS system definition.

MFS device descriptors define terminal characteristics of dynamic terminals that differ from static terminals. Unless you use exit routines to override screen sizes, you need to ensure that all ETO terminal screen sizes that are different from those that are defined for static terminals are defined using MFS device descriptors.

Recommendation: If you have users who log on to terminals that have different device characteristics, you need to create an expanded set of MFS formats. Input and output messages that are delivered to non-originating terminals are formatted to the terminal according to the MFS formatting specifications that are defined for that device.