Key concepts

This topic introduces the high-level concepts that you need to know while working with SA z/OS.

Automation Manager and Automation Agent
SA z/OS can automate applications distributed over a sysplex, even cross sysplexes or non-IBM-Z platforms, by virtually removing system boundaries for automation through its Automation Manager and Automation Agent design.
Policy-based automation
SA z/OS operation is policy-based. Before you can use SA z/OS to automate, monitor, and control the resources in your enterprise, you need to define your enterprise's automation policy.
Grouping support
Modern applications are often composed of many components, such as data servers, networking, and security components. You can use SA z/OS to monitor and automate resources on the group level.
Relationships
Most resources are dependent on services that are provided by some other resources. For example, almost everything uses JES, the VTAM® product, or TCPIP. These dependencies are modeled in your policy as relationships.
Goal driven automation
The Automation Agent knows how to perform a limited number of actions against each application, usually just Start and Stop.

Parent topic: Product introduction