Logging on to the menu and command interface directly
If you log on to the OMEGAMON® for IMS menu and command interface directly, you can do so in several different modes of operation. These include VTAM®, ISPF, TSO, and dedicated modes.
Each of these modes and their advantages are described as follows. For information about how to install and start OMEGAMON in each mode, see the IBM Tivoli®OMEGAMON for IMS on z/OS®: Planning and Configuration Guide.
VTAM mode
In VTAM mode, OMEGAMON for IMS is connected directly to VTAM terminals, without the intervention of an intermediate online application such as TSO. VTAM mode allows up to 99 persons to operate OMEGAMON for IMS, each from an individual terminal, without requiring access to TSO.
In VTAM mode, you can set OMEGAMON for IMS so that the screen refreshes automatically as in dedicated mode, but also responds immediately when you press Enter or any other program function key, as in TSO mode. This mode also assures the availability of OMEGAMON for IMS if TSO is experiencing problems or is inoperable.
ISPF mode
In ISPF mode, users use ISPF to communicate with OMEGAMON for IMS through TSO. In this mode, the screen does not refresh automatically. It refreshes when you press Enter or any other program function key.
OMEGAMON for IMS can run in ISPF split screen mode. ISPF split screen mode supports your swapping back and forth between multiple OMEGAMON for IMS sessions or between OMEGAMON for IMS and another ISPF application.
TSO mode
In TSO mode, OMEGAMON for IMS communicates with the TSO address space via VTM1, an IBM®-supplied VTAM application. TSO mode allows up to 99 persons to operate OMEGAMON for IMS, each from an individual terminal. Because TSO use is widespread, this mode can provide many users with convenient access to OMEGAMON for IMS. In TSO mode, the OMEGAMON for IMS screen does not refresh automatically. It refreshes when you press Enter or any program function key.
Dedicated mode
In dedicated mode, OMEGAMON for IMS is connected to one or optionally two dedicated consoles, each of which is a local non-SNA device. Dedicated mode offers the highest OMEGAMON for IMS availability because it is least affected by system problems such as a VTAM outage. In dedicated mode, OMEGAMON for IMS uses no telecommunications access methods; it communicates with the terminal via EXCP. By operating this way, OMEGAMON for IMS can report hardware and software problems, even if VTAM is not available or the MTO console is disabled.
In dedicated mode, OMEGAMON for IMS refreshes the screen automatically every 5 seconds without operator intervention. The default five-second interval can be changed to suit your reporting requirements. See the IBM OMEGAMON for IMS on z/OS: Planning and Configuration Guide for more information about customizing this interval.