Distributing and Updating Data Across Multiple Systems

As centralization of operations and support progresses, preparing data at a central site and then distributing it to other systems becomes necessary. Controlled execution of batch utilities is often required to update the target systems.

Installation of system maintenance provides an example of this type of distribution. Program temporary fixes (PTFs) are installed and tested at a central site. The PTFs are then shipped to target systems and applied with a system modification program (SMP/E). Frequently, a system programmer performs this by logging on to the target system and executing the job streams manually.

Another example is the creation of office system files on a central system, such as electronic telephone directories. These files are then distributed to the target systems.

TWS can control network job entry (NJE) jobs for the distribution of data, and thus controls the execution of the jobs on the target systems, to apply the data, using dependency control, if required.

TWS Automation extends this TWS capability and allows necessary cycling of the target system application once the maintenance is applied successfully. You can schedule this in such a way as to minimize any impact on the end-user community. The following is a typical scenario:

  1. A PTF is installed, tested, and found acceptable. This PTF is then applied to all copies of TSO in a multisystem environment.
  2. The application is defined to TWS. In most cases, the application is simply updated because it is already defined.
  3. TWS presents the batch jobs that control the SMP/E process to the systems programmer for modifications, if required.
  4. TWS schedules the transmission of the jobs to the target systems using NJE. The scheduling can use a time when network traffic is low.
  5. Once the jobs are in the target system, TWS dependency control is used to schedule the SMP/E job execution.
  6. TWS ensures that the SMP/E jobs run correctly. If TWS encounters problems, the TWS application provides backout procedures.
  7. After installing the PTFs, TWS selects the appropriate time to issue a request to TWS Automation to restart TSO.
  8. Because TWS fully controls the process for this PTF update, you can inquire at any time to see the progress of the operations. If errors or problems occur, TWS Automation informs the SA z/OS notification operator.