Allocating control data sets

Before you can activate an SMS configuration, allocate the SMS control data sets and define their contents. Control data sets are Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM) linear data sets that contain:
  • Base configuration information
  • SMS class, aggregate group, copy pool, optical library, tape library, optical drive, and storage group definitions
  • ACS routines

You can allocate control data sets with access method services or TSO/E commands. You can define and alter the contents of control data sets using ISMF. SMS uses three types of control data sets: a source control data set (SCDS), an active control data set (ACDS), and a communications data set (COMMDS).

Restrictions:
  1. Do not name any of your SMS control data sets the single word ACTIVE. SMS uses the single word ACTIVE as a reserved word that indicates active configuration residing in the SMS address space. Naming an SMS control data set 'ACTIVE' results in errors.
  2. SMS control data sets cannot be accessed from a volume that is configured as read-only.
  3. Do not allocate control data sets as extended format VSAM linear data sets.
  4. Do not allocate control data sets as encrypted VSAM linear data sets.
  5. Do not catalog the SMS control data sets (SCDS, ACDS, COMMDS) in a user catalog that is RLS-managed.
Note: Start of changeWhen defining or using REPRO for an SMS CDS data set, REUSE must be specified on the command.End of change