Problem determination and the system console

For normal message traffic after initialization, operators use MCS consoles, SMCS consoles, extended MCS consoles, or subsystem consoles. During regular system operations, an operator does not generally use the system console to interact with MVS™.

When hardware or software operation problems occur that might cause MCS, SMCS, extended MCS, or subsystem consoles to fail, an operator can place the system console in problem determination mode. When the system console is in problem determination mode, the operator can:

Enter commands and receive messages to help debug the system problem
Receive messages to help debug the system problem.
Control console attribute values for the system console.