ISPF task overview

The ISPF task allows you to access your host system ISPF applications from z/OSMF. For system administrators, the ISPF task provides a web-based alternative to using traditional, 3270 based ISPF.

Through the ISPF task, you can:
  • Access any applications that you usually access through z/OS ISPF on the host system, such as Hardware Configuration Definition (HCD).
  • Run TSO commands
  • Use multiple sessions in parallel (split screen mode)
  • Customize the ISPF settings as you do with ISPF on the host system
  • Use dynamic areas in ISPF and attributes such as color highlighting
  • Use ISPF functions and utilities (for example, ISPF option 3).

The ISPF task works with ISPF on your host z/OS system. User access to ISPF applications is controlled through the same authorizations that exist for your z/OS system.

To open the ISPF task, in the navigation area, expand the z/OS® Classic Interfaces category and select ISPF. The main page for the ISPF task is displayed, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. ISPF task main page
This image capture shows the main page for the ISPF task.

Usage considerations for ISPF task users

Some TSO/E and ISPF functions are restricted or unavailable under z/OSMF ISPF. Users should be aware of the following usage considerations:
  • z/OS creates an address space for each ISPF task session that is started. An individual z/OSMF user can have up to ten active ISPF task sessions. To conserve system resources, your system is limited to a total of 50 active ISPF task sessions at any one time.
  • In some situations, logon pre-prompt exits IKJEFLD and IKJEFLD1 that set the Don't Prompt control switch bit on can prevent z/OSMF ISPF users from logging on, or might not work with z/OSMF ISPF.
  • z/OSMF users can be canceled by the MVS operator, based on user ID, and ASID if needed. In some cases, however, these operations might have to be performed twice to take affect.
  • An ISPF task user cannot:
    • Switch to TSO/E native mode from within a z/OSMF ISPF session.
    • Log in remotely to TSO/E on another z/OS system from z/OSMF ISPF.
    • Log in without specifying a valid TSO/E account number in the Account Number field of the ISPF task.
    • Use full-screen applications that run outside of ISPF, such as OMVS, TELNET, or GDDM.
    • Receive TSO/E messages, such as messages from MVS operators or users in TSO/E native mode.
    • Use commands that are not allowed in traditional ISPF, such as TSOLIB and LOGON.
  • Most VTAM terminal macros used by full screen applications, such as GTTERM or STFSMODE, are not supported under z/OSMF ISPF. However, you can use the GTSIZE macro or GETDEVSZ macro to obtain the screen size.
  • Broadcast messages are not displayed at log on. You can view these messages in the TSO Messages window, which is displayed by clicking the TSO Messages link in the ISPF task main page.
  • Session Manager is not available; do not specify ADFMDF03 in your logon procedure. Your logon procedure should use the IBM-supplied terminal monitor program, IKJEFT01, which is specified on the PGM= operand of the EXEC statement.
  • In some cases, the Attention button might appear to be unresponsive. If so, try clicking the Attention button again. If the request times out, click Cancel to interrupt the process. Doing so should have the same effect as clicking the Attention button.
  • The REXX and CLIST system terminal ID (SYSTERMID) variable is blank for z/OSMF ISPF task sessions.

For information about using this task, see the online help.

Parent topic: Overview of z/OSMF system management tasks