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SMPE Questions

The document provides an overview of SMPE (Software Management and Product Environment) in z/OS mainframe, detailing its components such as SYSMOD, MCS (Modification Control Statement), and various types of SYSMODs including PTF and APAR. It explains the roles of target and distribution libraries, zones within SMPE, and the functions of various identifiers like FMID and SREL. Additionally, it covers the utilities used for SMPE and the methods for tracking and displaying SYSMOD data.

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152 views8 pages

SMPE Questions

The document provides an overview of SMPE (Software Management and Product Environment) in z/OS mainframe, detailing its components such as SYSMOD, MCS (Modification Control Statement), and various types of SYSMODs including PTF and APAR. It explains the roles of target and distribution libraries, zones within SMPE, and the functions of various identifiers like FMID and SREL. Additionally, it covers the utilities used for SMPE and the methods for tracking and displaying SYSMOD data.

Uploaded by

kdarshanakamalam
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1) what is smpe?

SMPE is the basic tool for managing the software installation in z/os
mainframe,smpe manages software versions,helps apply patches and updates.

2) what is sysmod?

sysmod is the actual package containing information smpe needs to install and
track system modifications

input to smpe that define action to the one or more elements,

elements=> A single part of a product,A unique number of PDSE or file in


HFS(HIERACHY FILE SYSTEM)

3) which zone sysmod is

installed? Target library and

distribution library

4) what is target library and distribution

library? Target library:

it contrains executable codes that needed to run on a system

distribution library

5) what is MCS and MT?


MCS:MODIFICATION CONTROL STATEMENT
is an 80 byte record designated by + as the first two characters, that tell
SMP/E:
 What elements are being updated or replaced
 How the SYSMOD relates to product software and other SYSMODs
 Other specific installation information
MODIFICATION TEXT:
Modification text, which is the object modules, macros, and other elements
supplied by the SYSMOD
6) Diff b/w MCS and control information?
Both are same
note:control info is avilable in MCS
7) what is SREL(SYSTEM RELEASE LEVEL)?
lists the system releases to be supported in this global zone.
it is used to identify whether the software is for OS, subsystems or IMS.
usually, it will be having one alphabet followed by three numeric character
example for DB2-P115
IMS-P115
CICS-C150
MVS-Z038
NCP-P004
8) what is FMID?
function modification Identifier:
identify the function SYSMOD that introduces the element into the system.
9) what are all the elements associated with MCS?
++MAC - a macro replacement
++MACUPD = a macro update (IEBUPDTE control statements)
++SRC = a source replacement
++SRCUPD = a source update (IEBUPDTE control statements)
++MOD = an object module
++ZAP = IMASPZAP control statements
Data element MCS
statements, ex. ++CLIST or ++PROC
Data of various types, e.g. TSO clists (++CLIST) and procedures (++PROC)
10) what are the types of SYSMOD?

Function SYSMODs- Introduce the elements for a product.

PTF SYSMODs (program temporary fix) - Prevent or fix problems with an


element, or introduce new elements.

APAR SYSMODS (authorized program analysis reports) - Fix problems with an


element.

USERMOD SYSMODs (user modifications) -Customize an element.

11) what are the types of function sysmod?

 A base function SYSMOD adds or replaces the entire system function

 A dependent function SYSMOD provides an addition to an existing system


function. It is called dependent because its installation depends upon a base
function already installed.

12) what is PTF?

When a problem with a software element is discovered, IBM supplies its customers
with a tested fix for that problem. This will come in a form of a program temporary
fix (PTF).
PTFs are designed to update or replace one or more complete elements of a system
function.

13) what is APAR?

Authorized program analysis report (APAR)

An APAR is a fix designed to correct a specific area of an element or replace an


element in error.
14) what is CSI?

'Card catalog' Contain all the information SMP/E needs to track the distribution
and target libraries.

* Contain an entry for each element in its libraries. element name, type, History

* How the element was introduced into the system

* Pointer to the element in the distribution and target libraries

15) what are the zones in SMPE?

Global zone Contains entries needed to identify and describe each target and
distribution zone to SMP/E and stores information about SMP/E processing
options.Contains status information for all SYSMODs SMP/E has begun to
process and holds exception data for SYSMODs requiring special handling or that
are in error.

Target zone Contains information that describes the content, structure, and status
of the target libraries. It also contains a pointer to the related distribution zone,
which can be used in APPLY, RESTORE, and LINK when SMP/E is processing a
SYSMOD and needs to check the level of the elements in the distribution libraries.

Distribution zone Contains information that describe the content, structure, and
status of the distribution libraries. Each distribution zone also points to the related
target zone, which is used when SMP/E is accepting a SYSMOD and needs to
check if the SYSMOD has already been applied.

16) what is SMPPTS,SMPTSTS,SMPTMTS,SMPTPTFIN?

SMPTPTS:PTF temporary store - used to hold RECEIVED SYSMODS

dataset attributes:card image,partitrioned dataset

SMPTMTS:Macro temporary store - intermediate library for storage of macros


which are updated or replaced by an APPLY but do not reside in a target library
dataset attributes:card image,partitrioned dataset
SMPTSTS:Source temporary store - like SMPMTS, but for source which is
updated/replaced by an APPLY and does not reside in a target library

dataset attributes:card image,partitrioned dataset

SMPTPTFIN: Input dataset containing SYSMODs to be RECEIVEd.

dataset attributes:card image dataset

17) what is SMPlogs?

SMPLOG = History log

dataset attributes:sequential dataset.always required.

SMPLOG A= Alternate history log.


dataset attributes:sequential dataset.always required.

18) what are the zones in SMPE?

Global zone,Target zone,Distribution Zone

19) How will you track sysmod?

By using MCS

FMID= Track the function sysmod which is newly installed in the system.

20) How to display SMPE data?


21) what is the utility used for SMPE?
GIMZPOOL
22) what are the types of MCS?
HEADER MCS = identies the sysmod by its type and name.
RELATIONAL MCS = one or more relational mcs describes its relationship with
other sysmod.
ELEMENTS MCS = one or more mcs describes which elements are being
modified and how modification are to be installed.
23) In what ways they will sending the sysmods?
Serverpac = a complete set of product with applied maintanence
Cumulative service = release b/w span of time
Product Tape= Is a product it is in baselevel
24) Request types?
COREQ = CONDITIONAL REQUEST once installed correctly if both go on i.e
RMID & UMID.
PREREQ = prerequest once that pre-installed to check.
NPRE= NEGATIVE PREREQUEST
Mutually exclusive prerequest.

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