SMCS console considerations

SMCS consoles are MCS consoles that use z/OS® Communications Server SNA and TCP/IP services for input and output. SMCS consoles provide most of the same functions as MCS consoles with the following exceptions:

Synchronous WTO/R, also known as disabled console communication facility (DCCF), is not supported for SMCS consoles. The system console or an MCS console must be used instead.
SMCS consoles are not available during NIP. The system console or an MCS console must be used instead.
z/OS Communications Server must be active for SMCS to be active. The system console and MCS consoles do not rely on z/OS Communications Server, and these can be used before z/OS Communications Server is active.
SMCS consoles must be activated differently than MCS consoles. The activation process depends on the console definitions, but in all cases, VARY CONSOLE and VARY CN, ONLINE do not work for SMCS.
SMCS does not support output-only (message stream and status display) consoles. SMCS consoles must always be full-capability consoles.
SMCS does not support printer consoles.

Because an SMCS console is connected through a network and uses z/OS Communications Server services, the z/OS Communications Server commands VARY NET and HALT NET, as well as network problems, can affect console operations.