Figure 1. Overview of the message procedure

The following procedure describes each step shown in Figure 1.

1. Report if the problem is in the message itself.

   If the content of the message is incorrect or the meaning of the message is not clear, go to Reporting the problem to IBM.

2. Follow the recommended action.
   For all other messages, see z/OS Communications Server: SNA Messages for recommended operator and programmer actions. (See the list of VTAM® books in "Bibliography" for the appropriate form number.) In addition:

   • Identify the issuing component.
   • If the message indicates a storage problem, go to step 3.
   • If the message indicates a TSO/VTAM problem, see Collecting documentation for TSO/VTAM problems.
   The following list shows message prefixes and the components that issue those messages.

   Prefix

   Issuing component

   ELM

   Logon Manager

   IKT

   TSO/VTAM

   IST

   VTAM

   IUT

   Connection Manager

   IVT

   CSM

   Note:

   1. If the message starts with any other characters, it is issued from another network component or the operating system.
   2. Messages that begin with the prefix ISTF are issued by the VTAM dump analysis tools and the VTAM internal trace (VIT) analysis tool.

      Help information for ISTF messages is available as a part of each tool by pressing F1. Therefore, these messages are not documented in z/OS Communications Server: SNA Messages.

      See Using VTAM dump analysis tools and Using the VIT analysis tool for additional information about the dump and trace analysis tools.

3. Is there a storage problem?

   If there is a storage problem, see Storage problem procedure for additional information.

   If there is not a storage problem, continue with step 4.

4. Identify the issuing module.

   Try to identify the module issuing the message. If the MSGMOD start option is active or the MODIFY MSGMOD command is issued before the problem occurs, the message text contains the last five characters of the issuing module name. Add the message prefix to the module name, and add this name to your problem documentation. (To modify the module identifier in messages, see Modifying message module identification.)

   The VTAM internal trace MSG entries contain the message number, the save area address, and the module ID (the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th characters of the module name). Use these to identify the issuing module. If the trace entry contains no module identifier, use the caller's address from the trace entry.

5. Report or go to the failing module procedure.

   If you know the name of the issuing module, go to Failing module. If you are unable to determine the issuing module or resolve the problem, go to Reporting the problem to IBM.