Troubleshooting Table: Loops

Table 1. Troubleshooting Table: Loops
Symptom Recommended Procedures for Loops
Any loop during RACF® processing

Action:

  1. Check whether any error messages were issued for the user request that had the loop and make sure that message IDs are included with the messages.

    Check that error message handling is ON. This can be done with the command SET EMSG ON (not SET EMSG TEXT). If a batch job encountered the error, check that the batch console was spooled back to the originating user.

  2. Check whether the prefix of one of the modules involved in the loop is ICH or IRR.
    Note: The instructions involved in the loop are generally pointed to by the PSW that was active when the system dump was generated. Most modules owned by IBM® have an identifier with the module name at either the beginning or end of the object code for the module. See your system diagnosis guide if you need further details of general loop analysis techniques.
  3. If the prefix is ICH or IRR, the problem might be caused by RACF, and you should use the following diagnostic procedures:
    1. Check that the problem was not due to repeated requests for RACF services. Repeated requests might be caused by a loop of logic in the application program issuing the request. If the loop was in a program making repeated requests, report the problem to the owner of the program. If the loop was within RACF, use the diagnostic procedures in the remainder of this list.
    2. See Performing a Preliminary Search for a Matching Problem
    3. If you did not find a matching problem, you will need to request a dump (if you don't have one already) and collect problem information to report to IBM.

      Use the following procedures:

      1. Obtaining a System Dump on z/VM, if you need to request a dump
      2. Formatting a System Dump on z/VM
      3. Validating Input.
    4. See Searching for a Matching Problem
    5. See Reporting RACF Problems to IBM.
  4. If the prefix of one of the looping modules is neither ICH nor IRR, the problem was probably not caused by RACF. Note the prefixes of the looping modules. If the module is owned by IBM (modules owned by IBM usually start with the letters A through I, S, or X), see the diagnosis or logic book for the program that the module is a part of.

    To determine which diagnosis or logic book contains information about the program, find the name of the component that owns the module. If the component is owned by IBM, the general information manual for the product containing the component has the name and order number of any diagnosis or logic publication.