CONSOLE command

Use the CONSOLE command (along with its subcommands) to perform MVS™ operator activities from your TSO/E session. (The CONSOLE command can be issued in the background.) The CONSOLE command and its related services require CONSOLE command authority.

The CONSOLE command establishes an extended MCS console session. When the session is active, you can issue MVS system and subsystem commands and obtain command responses and other system messages.

Responses to commands sent through the network to another system might be affected as follows:
  • The responses might not be returned as solicited even if a CART was specified and preserved; UNSOLDISPLAY(YES) might be required to receive the responses.
  • If the receiving system does not preserve the extended console identifier, ROUTCODE(ALL) and UNSOLDISPLAY(YES) might be required to receive the responses.

For information about ROUTCODE, see the CONSOLxx parmlib member description in z/OS MVS Initialization and Tuning Reference. For information about UNSOLDISPLAY, see CONSPROF command.

Throughout this book, the term console session means an extended MCS console session established with the CONSOLE command.

Note: Extended MCS console support is provided in line-mode only.

The CONSOLE command is similar to the TSO/E OPERATOR command in that both enable you to perform MVS operator functions. With the OPERATOR command, however, you are limited to performing functions provided only by the OPERATOR subcommands. With the CONSOLE command, the functions you can perform are dependent on the MVS command authority assigned to your console. The command authority defines the types of MVS commands you are authorized to use and is assigned through RACF®, by default, or with the MVS VARY command. For more information about MVS command authority, see z/OS MVS Planning: Operations.