The ICKDSF utility: Install and manage DASD volumes

The ICKDSF utility performs functions needed for the installation, use, and maintenance of IBM® direct-access storage devices (DASD). You also can use it to perform service functions, error detection, and media maintenance.

The ICKDSF utility is used primarily to initialize disk volumes. At a minimum, this process involves creating the disk label record and the volume table of contents (VTOC). ICKDSF also can scan a volume to ensure that it is usable, can reformat all the tracks, can write home addresses, as well as other functions.

You can use the ICKDSF utility through two methods:

Execute ICKDSF as a job or job step using job control language (JCL). ICKDSF commands are then entered as part of the SYSIN data for z/OS®.
Use Interactive Storage Management Facility (ISMF) panels to schedule ICKDSF jobs.