VSAM AdminAid

MacKinney Systems' VSAM AdminAid (VAA) aids VSAM administrators in monitoring, tuning and reorganizing production VSAM files. This helps reduce online response times, the batch window, CPU cycles, DASD space usage and VSAM administration time. The 4 main VAA components are:

1.  Catalog List and Extraction
VAA batch jobs process selected production catalogs and report on VSAM datasets, VSAM volumes and/or non-VSAM datasets. Tuning messages, warning messages and important statistics can print for VSAM files. Vital information can be saved in the VSAM AdminAid VSAM History file and/or the VSAM AdminAid Adhoc Report Writer extract file, then available for use by other VAA batch and online applications. The current and historical production file data allows you and VAA to monitor current VSAM file reorganization and tuning needs and see VSAM file changes over time, growth trends, reorganization history, etc. Click here to see excerpts of a VSAM AdminAid Catalog List report.  

2.  Online System
VAA panels display (in z/OS ISPF or z/VSE CICS) current and historical dataset information stored in the VAA VSAM History file. All fields are available for use in the extensive online filtering facility to list the desired VSAM files. For example, you can show all the files on volumes PROD* with less than 10 percent free space. The results initially display one line per dataset. When you select a dataset, one line for each date and time displays allowing a drill down to see the detailed statistics for the selected date and time. Critical fields for any two file dates can show side-by-side on the same screen. To see a dataset's changes between those dates, place a C (Compare) beside the two desired dates. In z/OS you can also enter an R (Reorganize) to edit a file's reorg JCL. Click here to see examples of some of VSAM AdminAid's ISPF screens.  

3.  File Reorganization List Report
A batch report listing files potentially needing reorganization is based on criteria entered in online panels. The criteria can be at the dataset, category, catalog  and default levels. Datasets can be grouped into categories. An example of reorg criteria is: files with more than 30 extents and/or more than 50 CA splits in the past 3 days. Files needing reorganization can also be listed online. Click here to see examples of a reorganization criteria screen and part of a File Reorganization List report.

4.  VSAM AdminAid Adhoc Report Writer
VAA Adhoc Report Writer allows customized batch reports from a catalog list extract file. Input control parameters determine the files to select (for example, files on volumes TEST* with more than 1,000 tracks allocated), the field names to  include on the detail lines and the report sort field(s) (tracks allocated in this example). Click here to see sample Adhoc Report Writer control cards and the report that is produced from them.

VSAM AdminAid Purge Utility (also included)
A batch purge utility job is provided to clean up older, unneeded VAA VSAM History file records. Records can be purged based on a number of criteria (age, DSN no longer cataloged in z/OS, any of the fields in the online filter, etc.). The job can reorganize the VSAM History file with the remaining records.

Current LISTCAT Plus and LISTCAT Plus Adhoc Report Writer customers will be pleased to know all existing LISTCAT Plus and Adhoc Report Writer functions are available, and jobs will work in VSAM AdminAid with minor or no modification. The existing jobs will need modification to take advantage of new product features.

VSAM AdminAid can replace LISTCAT PLUS and Adhoc Report Writer.