Authorized Services Manager under z/OS

This document describes functionality and operation of the Authorized Services Manager (ASM) which is available with Natural under z/OS.

This section covers the following topics:

ASM Overview
ASM System Requirements
Starting the ASM
ASM Operator Commands
Resetting the Coupling Facility Structure
ASM Messages, Condition Codes and Abend Codes

ASM Overview

The Authorized Services Manager (ASM) provides authorized operating system functions to Natural. These functions include writing SMF records and z/OS Parallel Sysplex communication through the Coupling Facility (CF). The ASM provides its functions via PC routines and runs in its own address space.

The following authorized functions are provided:

communicating Natural buffer pool administration messages,
write-access to global buffer pools in system key,
writing SMF records,
holding Natural session information in the Session Information Pool (SIP),
executing authorized system services for IBM zIIP (System z Integrated Information Processor) support,
executing authorized system services for z/OS shared memory objects.
executing authorized services using the RACROUTE interface of the z/OS Security Server (RACF or any other external security product)

The first three functions are always available, whereas the SIP is needed and used when Natural is running with SYSPLEX enabled. For more information about the parameters you must specify to keep session information records (SIRs) in the SIP, see the CICSPLX and SIPSERV parameters under Natural CICS Generation Parameters. The SIP which holds the SIRs in SIP slots can be made available via startup parameter. For more information on starting the ASM, see Starting the ASM.

You must use the ASM in the following cases:

The Natural profile parameter BPPROP is set to PLEX or GLOBAL or GPLEX (buffer pool propagation is used).
Natural global buffer pools are allocated in system key. This is necessary if your systems programmer specified VSM ALLOWUSERKEYCSA(NO) in SYS1.PARMLIB(DIAGxx); see also Allocation of the Natural GBP in the section Natural Global Buffer Pool under z/OS.
Natural under CICS is used in a z/OS Parallel Sysplex environment (SIP function required).
Natural under IMS TM is used in terminal-oriented, non-conversational mode (with the SIP function).
Natural under IMS TM is used, with the Accounting function writing SMF records.
Enablement of zIIP support is required.
Enablement of the Shared Memory Objects File Server (FSSM) of Natural for DB2 is required.
Enablement of the ACEE caching (SECURITY_CACHING=YES) of the Natural Development Server.

The Session Information Pool (SIP) holds the Natural session information records. In terminal-oriented non-conversational mode, the Natural CICS Interface and the Natural IMS TM Interface need these records to continue a Natural session after a terminal I/O. When running in a z/OS Parallel Sysplex environment, the SIP is created in the Coupling Facility (CF) and a memory object is used as an intermediate buffer to avoid unnecessary access to the CF. Otherwise, the SIP is created in a memory object. (A memory object resides in 64-bit-addressable storage above the 2-gigabyte address).

If the ASM is used in a z/OS Parallel Sysplex environment, one ASM instance must be started for each Natural subsystem in each participating z/OS image.

Note concerning Natural/CICS:

The CICS System Recovery Table should include the z/OS system abend code 0D6.

ASM System Requirements

This section describes the ASM system requirements.

APF Authorization
System Linkage Index
CF Structure
XCF Signaling Paths

APF Authorization

Link the modules NATASMvr (where vr represents the relevant product version) and NATBPMGR to an Authorized Program Facility (APF) library, specifying IEWL parameter AC(1). Refer to Installing Natural on z/OS.

System Linkage Index

As the ASM reserves one system linkage index (System LX), check whether there is a high enough value of NSYSLX in member IEASYSxx of library SYS1.PARMLIB.

Note:
If you terminate the ASM, the address space ID is no longer available because a System LX has been used. It becomes available again with the next IPL.

CF Structure

A CF structure is used if you run the SIP in a z/OS Parallel Sysplex environment.

The size of a CF structure can be calculated using the IBM web utility "CFSizer", which can be found here:https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/cfsizer

There, you must choose "XCF" in the selection box, there where you see "Choose one".

You get a new window, which is pre-filled with "Number of systems" = 8 and "CLASSLEN" = 956 (= 936 + 20 -> CONA + CONALOCKATTR)

See macro IXLYCONA for those size:

01 SIZE:                                 
*            CONA          -- X'03A8' bytes = 936
*            CONALOCKATTR  -- X'0014' bytes =  20
*            CONALISTATTR  -- X'0028' bytes =  40
*            CONACACHEATTR -- X'001C' bytes =  28

Authorized Server needs CONA + CONALISTATTR = 936 + 40 = 976 bytes.

Once you select "Number of systems" = n (LPARs), and you press "Submit", you get something like (5 LPARs with 936 bytes):

Function	Type	Structure Name	INITSIZE	SIZE
XCF	LIST	IXC......	18M	19M

followed by a number of lines with JCL.

XCF Signaling Paths

The XCF Signaling Services are used to propagate buffer pool administration messages in a z/OS Parallel Sysplex environment. The minimum message is 64 bytes long, the maximum is 2048 bytes. How often messages are sent depends on how often Natural objects are manipulated (with the system command CATALOG, STOW or DELETE).

Starting the ASM

You start the ASM either as a batch job or as a started task by executing module NATASMvr, where vr represents the relevant product version. You can specify parameters in the JCL EXEC statement, in a parameter file, or in both. A parameter specified in the EXEC statement overwrites the corresponding parameter in the parameter file.

Software AG recommends using a parameter file (see Parameters in the Parameter File) because the parameters that control SIP timeout processing and future parameters can only be specified in the parameter file. Existing JCL will continue to execute unchanged.

This section covers the following topics:

Parameters in the JCL EXEC Statement
Parameters in the Parameter File

Parameters in the JCL EXEC Statement

In the JCL EXEC statement, specify as PARM the following parameters:
subsystem-id,XCF-group-name,CF-structure-name,number-of-SIP-slots,SIP-slot-size,message-case
All parameters are positional and must be separated by a comma; they are explained in the table below:

Parameter Possible Values Default Value Comment

subsystem-id 4-byte non-blank string NATv
The specified value must match the value of the Natural profile parameter SUBSID (v is version).

Note:
With Natural under CICS, refer to the CICSPLX parameter in the NCMDIR macro for setting the appropriate subsystem ID.

XCF-group-name any valid XCF group name none The name of the XCF group for Signaling services.

CF-structure-name any valid CF structure name none Optional, only needed if SIP is used. The name of the CF structure used for the SIP function.
Only specify this parameter if you use the Coupling Facility (with z/OS Parallel Sysplex). Otherwise, using this parameter might cause unnecessary overhead.

number-of-SIP-slots 1 - 2147483647 none Optional, only needed if SIP is used. The number of slots to be allocated if the CF structure has not yet been allocated. If omitted or specified as 0, the entire structure will be used for as many slots as it can hold.

SIP-slot-size 256, 512, 1024, 2048 or 4096 1024 The specified value is ignored if a CF structure has already been allocated.

message-case UCTRAN or blank blank Specify UCTRAN if the Authorized Services Manager is to issue all its messages in upper case.

Parameter	Possible Values	Default Value	Comment
`subsystem-id`	4-byte non-blank string	`NATv`	The specified value must match the value of the Natural profile parameter `SUBSID` (`v` is version). Note: With Natural under CICS, refer to the `CICSPLX` parameter in the NCMDIR macro for setting the appropriate subsystem ID.
`XCF-group-name`	any valid XCF group name	none	The name of the XCF group for Signaling services.
`CF-structure-name`	any valid CF structure name	none	Optional, only needed if SIP is used. The name of the CF structure used for the SIP function. Only specify this parameter if you use the Coupling Facility (with z/OS Parallel Sysplex). Otherwise, using this parameter might cause unnecessary overhead.
`number-of-SIP-slots`	`1 - 2147483647`	none	Optional, only needed if SIP is used. The number of slots to be allocated if the CF structure has not yet been allocated. If omitted or specified as `0`, the entire structure will be used for as many slots as it can hold.
`SIP-slot-size`	`256`, `512`, `1024`, `2048` or `4096`	`1024`	The specified value is ignored if a CF structure has already been allocated.
`message-case`	`UCTRAN` or blank	blank	Specify `UCTRAN` if the Authorized Services Manager is to issue all its messages in upper case.

Parameters in the Parameter File

The parameter file is a physical sequential file (DSORG=PS) that is allocated with LRECL=80 and RECFM=FB. In your JCL, specify this file with DDNAME ASMPARM.

Parameters in the parameter file are specified as name=value pairs. Specify one parameter per line starting in Column 1. The name=value pair is terminated by the first blank, and the rest of the line is not examined. Lines starting with an asterisk (*) in Column 1 are treated as comments. Parameters are translated to upper case before they are processed.

Parameter	Possible Values	Default Value	Comment
`SUBSID=name`	4-byte non-blank string	`NATv`	The specified value must match the value of the Natural profile parameter `SUBSID` (`v` is version). Note: With Natural under CICS, refer to the `CICSPLX` parameter in the `NCMDIR` macro for setting the appropriate subsystem ID.
`XCFGROUP=group-name`	any valid XCF group name	none	The name of the XCF group for Signaling services.
`STRUCTURE=structure-name`	any valid CF structure name	none	Use only for the SIP function. The name of the CF structure used for the SIP function. Only specify this parameter if you use the Coupling Facility (with z/OS Parallel Sysplex). Otherwise, using this parameter might cause unnecessary overhead.
`NUMSLOTS=number`	`1 - 2147483647`	none	Use only for the SIP function. The number of slots to be allocated if the CF structure has not yet been allocated. If omitted or specified as `0`, the entire structure will be used for as many slots as it can hold.
`SLOTSIZE=size`	`256`, `512`, `1024`, `2048` or `4096`	`1024`	Use only for the SIP function. The specified value is ignored if a CF structure has already been allocated.
`MSGCASE=case`	`UPPER` or `MIXED`	`MIXED`	Specify `UPPER` if the Authorized Services Manager is to issue all its messages in upper case.
`NONACTIVITY=hours`	`1 - 999999`	none	Use only for the SIP function. The number of hours a SIP session can be inactive before it is deleted. If this time is exceeded, the session is deleted during the next scheduled timeout check. If this parameter is omitted, no timeout check will be executed. This parameter can be changed using the `TIMEOUT` operator command (see ASM Operator Commands).
`TIMEOUTCHECK=hhmm`	`0000 - 2359`	none	Use only for the SIP function. The time of day that the timeout check is to be run. Sessions will be deleted if they have been inactive longer than the non-activity time specified with `NONACTIVITY`. This parameter can be changed using the `TIMEOUT` operator command (see ASM Operator Commands).
`TIMEOUTREPEAT=mmmm`	`0 - 1440`	none	Use only for the SIP function. The number of minutes between two consecutive timeout checks. If `TIMEOUTCHECK` is also specified, the first check is run at the time specified with `TIMEOUTCHECK`, and then repeated after `mmmm` minutes. If `TIMEOUTCHECK` is not specified, the first check is run `mmmm` minutes after Authorized Services Manager start. This parameter can be changed using the `REPEAT` option of the `TIMEOUT` operator command (see ASM Operator Commands).
`FSSMxxxx`	See Defining Size and Format of an FSSM in the Database Management System Interfaces documentation.	none	Parameters starting with `FSSM` are passed to the Shared Memory Objects File Server (FSSM) of Natural for DB2.

Examples:
In the following examples, v or vr represents the relevant one- or two-digit product version.
//ASM EXEC PGM=NATASMvr,PARM='NATv,NATXCF,CFSIP,1500,512'
The subsystem ID is NATv, the message group for buffer pool communication is NATXCF, the structure for the Session Information Pool is CFSIP. 1500 SIP slots are to be used, each having a size of 512 bytes.
//ASM EXEC PGM=NATASMvr,PARM='NATv,NATXCF,CFSIP'
Same as above, except SIP slots:

The ASM will use as many SIP slots as the CFSIP structure can hold, each having a size of 1024 bytes.
//ASM EXEC PGM=NATASMvr,PARM='NATv,NATXCF,,500,512'
The SIP service is not to use the Coupling Facility, but to build 500 SIP slots in storage, each having a size of 512 bytes.
//ASM EXEC PGM=NATASMvr,PARM='NATv,NATXCF'
The SIP service will not be available.
//ASM EXEC PGM=NATASMvr,PARM='TST5'
//ASMPARM  DD DISP=SHR,DSN=FB.SYSF.PARMS(ASMPARM1)
File FB.SYSF.PARMS(ASMPARM1):
MSGCASE=M              Mixed case messages
SUBSID=TST1               
XCFGROUP=HELGA         Message group for global buffer pool administration  
*SIP definitions: 
STRUCTURE=TSTSIP       SIP CF structure 
SLOTSIZE=256             
NUMSLOTS=200              
TIMEOUTCHECK=2135      Delete old sessions at 9:35 pm
NONACTIVITY=2          Delete sessions that have been inactive for 2 hours or more
The SIP service is to build 200 SIP slots in CF structure TSTSIP, each having a size of 256 bytes. The Natural subsystem to be used is TST5, as the parameter on the EXEC statement overwrites the TST1 subsystem specified in the parameter file.

ASM Operator Commands

The following commands can be passed to the ASM using the MODIFY command:

Command		Description
`TERM`		Terminates the ASM.
`SNAP`		Debugging function. The ASM address space is dumped to `SYSUDUMP`.
`VLIST`		Displays the name, version and assembly time of modules that are linked to the ASM.
`TIMEOUT`	`NAT nnn`	Specifies or replaces the non-activity time parameter.
	`REPEAT mmmm`	Specifies or replaces the time interval in minutes in which the timeout check is to be run.
	`TOC hhmm`	Specifies or replaces the time of day of the timeout check.
	`OFF`	Disables timeout checking.
	`ON`	Reinstates timeout checking.
	`NOW`	Starts an immediate timeout check. Normal timeout check scheduling (if specified) remains in effect.
	`TERSE`	Suppresses the messages `ASM0078` and `ASM0080` during `TIMEOUT NOW` processing. The message `ASM0047 Operator command: TIMEOUT NOW` is also suppressed.
	`VERBOSE`	Displays the messages `ASM0078`, `ASM0080` and `ASM0047` during `TIMEOUT NOW` processing. This is the default setting.
	`?` (or no specification)	Displays the current timeout settings. The question mark (?) is optional and can be omitted.

For a list of return codes and reason codes of the SIP Service, refer to SIP Service Return Codes and Reason Codes in the Messages and Codes documentation.

Resetting the Coupling Facility Structure

When a CICS or IMS TM region which uses the Session Information Pool (SIP) function of the Authorized Services Manager abends, the Authorized Services Manager might return an error for the SIP. For example, the SIP might be reported as full because session cleanup had not been performed before the region abended. To resolve such an error, delete the respective Coupling Facility structure:

Shut down all Authorized Services Managers which use the affected CF structure.
Issue the operator command SETXCF FORCE,STR,STRNAME=structure-name, where structure-name is the name of the CF structure used for the SIP function.
Restart all Authorized Services Managers.

ASM Messages, Condition Codes and Abend Codes

The ASM writes informational and error messages to JESMSGLG using the WTO macro (ROUTCDE=11). The messages are preceded by a message identifier and the ASM job name, for example:

ASM0005 FBASMvr

In this example, Authorized Services Manager Version vr (where vr represents the relevant product version) is active

The following condition codes are used:

Condition Code	Explanation
`0`	Normal completion
`12`	Wrong parameter input
`16`	Runtime error has occurred
`20`	Subtask has failed
`24`	Abend has occurred
>`100`	Working storage could not be allocated

The following user abend codes are used:

Abend Code	Reason	Comment
`U0100`	`IXCJOIN` failed.	Abend Register 14 contains the reason code.
`U0101`	`IXCQUERY` failed.	Abend Register 14 contains the reason code.
`U0103`	Active member list full.	Contact Software AG Support.
`U0104`	`IXCMSGI` failed.	Abend Register 14 contains the reason code.
`U0105`	Message Exit could not obtain a Purge Task Request Block.	Contact Software AG Support.
`U0106`	Work Space for `IXLCONN` could not be obtained.	Contact Software AG Support.
`U05xx`	`IXLCONN` failed.	`xx` is the reason code.
`U06xx`	`IXLLIST WRITE` failed.	`xx` is the reason code.
`U07xx`	`STORAGE OBTAIN` for subpool 245 failed.	Contact Software AG Support.

To find a description of reason codes, refer to Programming: Sysplex Services Reference (IBM documentation). If the error was environment-specific, and it is not clear what the reason was, contact Software AG Support.