Automating a Shutdown
z/VM® allows you to shut down guests automatically, by sending them a shutdown signal and giving them time to respond to that signal. A signal can be sent in response to a hardware event, such as a deactivation of the z/VM image, or as a result of a SHUTDOWN, FORCE, or SIGNAL command.
The amount of time a guest has to shut down can be defined using the SET system configuration statement. This statement can also be used to specify how much time should be reserved to allow z/VM itself to shut down.
Only some guest operating systems have programming support to enable
them to receive and react to shutdown signals. For example, z/VM itself
has this support.
In addition:
- A guest that is enabled for shutdown signals can issue the SET SHUTSIGNAL command to temporarily disable from receiving shutdown signals and later to re-enable for shutdown signals.
- The QUERY SIGNAL command can be used to determine whether a guest is currently enabled to receive shutdown signals.
- The QUERY SHUTDOWN STATUS command can be used:
- By a guest, to determine whether the entire system is being shut down or whether the guest was the only user signaled to shut down.
- To tailor how the guest enabled for signals shuts down in an orderly manner.
For more information about automatic guest shutdown, refer to the following:
- The description of the SET system configuration statement in z/VM: CP Planning and Administration.
- The descriptions of the following commands in z/VM: CP Commands and Utilities Reference: FORCE, QUERY SHUTDOWN STATUS, QUERY SHUTDOWNTIME, QUERY SIGNAL, QUERY SIGNALS, SET SHUTDOWNTIME, SET SHUTSIGNAL, SET SIGNAL, SHUTDOWN, and SIGNAL.