Working with the Mainframe Flashcards
Where is mainframe data stored?
A database file or dataset
What is a dataset
An area of space occupied by a collection of related data.
Where is information about data in datasets stored?
A catalog
What does a catalog do for a user?
Catalogs whether data exists and where it can be found
What is the main catalog called?
Master Catalog
What can a master catalog contain?
Entries for both datasets and sub-catalogs (user catalogs)
What is a sub-catalog also called?
User catalog
Name that acronym
VTOC
Volume Table of Contents
Volume Table of Contents
Contains the file name and location of all datasets on that DASD volume
True or false
VTOL can be placed anywhere on a DASD volume?
True
Name that acronym
DFSMS
Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem
Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem
Used to automate data allocation and the deletion, placement, backup, and recovery of data sets
Name that acronym
DFSMdfp
Data Facility Storage Management Data Facility Product
Data Facility Storage Management Data Facility Product (DFSMdfp)
Allows you to create storage policies that are invoked when a new dataset is created.
Name that acronym
DFSMdss
Data Facility Storage Management Data Set Services
Data Facility Storage Management Data Set Services (DFSMdss)
An optional component to perform backups at the dataset and volume level.
True or False
DFSMdss allow the copying or moving of data to other devices?
True
Name that acronym
DFSMhsm
Data Facility Storage Management Hierarchical Storage Manager
Data Facility Storage Management Hierarchical Storage Manager (DFSMhsm)
Automates the movement and management of data between different types of storage media (usually cheaper, slower media)
Name that acronym
DFSMrmm
Data Facility Storage Management Removable Media Manager
Data Facility Storage Management Removable Media Manager(DFSMrmm)
Manages removable media such as tape cartridges and the automated tape libraries that house them.
Name that acronym
DFSMtvs
Data Facility Storage Management Transactional VSAM Services
Data Facility Storage Management Transactional VSAM Services (DFSMtvs)
Allows datasets to be shared between CICS, batch jobs, and object-oriented applications, while ensuring data integrity.
Name that acronym
zFS
z/OS File System
Name that acronym
z/OS NFS
z/OS Network File System
z/OS Network File System
Allows z/OS to access remote UNIX file system using TCP/IP as if it were part of the local directory tree.
Name that acronym
TFS
Temporary File System
Temporary File System
Temporary, in-memory physical file system
Name that acronym
UFS
Union File System
Union File System
Allows users to obtain a merged view of two or more directories
How is the UNIX file system stored?
As a z/OS VSAM dataset
What is the advantage of a UNIX file system being stored as a z/OS VSAM dataset?
It can reside alongside other z/OS datasets on a DASD volume.
You need to create a data set that contains individual members. What type of data set meets this need?
Partitioned
Which product is used to automate data allocation and deletion, and the placement, backup, and recovery of data sets?
DFSMS
True or False
An organization usually implements several master catalogs to improve the performance of a system
False
True or False
A DASD volume’s VTOC contains the file name and location of all data sets on that volume.
True
True or False
The master catalog only stores entries for DASD data sets.
False
True or False
The main catalog referenced by z/OS is the master catalog.
True
In what type of dataset of a zFS reside?
A Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM) dataset
Name that acronym
RACF
Resource Access Control Facility
Resource Access Control Facility (RACF)
The primary component of the IBM security server
What is the role of RACF?
To provide appropriate access to the system’s resources
Name that acronym
SAF
System Authorization Facility (SAF)
System Authorization Facility (SAF)
Directs control to a processing routine and/or to RACF (or similar security product) for further action.
Which RACF attribute is needed to create and maintain RADF security levels for both users and data access?
“Special”
Name that acronym
RRSF
RACF Remote Sharing Facility
RACF Remote Sharing Facility
Allows for the maintenance of RACF databases distributed throughout your enterprise environment.
Name that acronym
MSC
multiple console support
How would a security administrator provide appropriate access for MCS?
Through the CONSOLxx member in the SYS1.PARMLIB
Name that acronym
CPACF
Central Processor Assist for Cryptographic Function
Central Processor Assist for Cryptographic Function (CPACF)
A co-processor that exists in every processor unit that accelerates encryption.
How is a Coupling Facility secured?
Policy-based encryption is used to secure the parallel sysplex including the coupling facilty.
How are software appliances secured?
Taper protection during installation and runtime, and restricted admin access.
How are drives secured?
encryption
How can encryption be managed via policy?
Through policy-controlled encryption
True or False
Policy-controlled encryption only works on z/OS datasets?
False, it can be used on z/OS datasets and Linux file systems
RACF checks which item to determine whether a user has authority to access data?
Profiles
What is the function of the System Authorization Facility (SAF)?
It is part of the z/OS operating system that provides a common interface for resource requests.
Hyper Protect Data Controller
Allows any data created on these systems to be highly encrypted and protected as it is moved between the mainframe and distributed or hybrid multi-cloud environments.
Name that acronym
TSO
Time Sharing Option
Initial online access to a z/OS system is provided by a facility called
Time Sharing Option (TSO)
Time Sharing Option (TSO)
Enables users to log into the mainframe environment and access data and use resources through a simple DOS-like environment.
How is mainframe access facilitated?
Through 3270 terminal emulator
Through what protocol does the 3270 terminal emulator work?
TCP/IP
What is TN3270?
An implementation of Telnet that uses TCP/IP
What protocol does the 3270 terminal emulator use?
TN3270
Where are TSO commands most commonly run?
ISPF, within JCL, or from CLISTIS and REXX programs
Name that acronym
ISPF
Interactive System Productivity Facility
Interactive System Productivity Facility
A more user-friendly interface that facilitates interaction with the mainframe data by using the menu items primarily for navigation
What does the view menu provide in ISPF?
Allows you to view (limited editing), or browse (no editing) data stored in partitioned or sequential data sets
What does the Edit menu provide in ISPF?
Enables you to create, display, and modify existing data stored in partitioned or sequential datasets
What does the Utilities menu provide in ISPF?
Used for dataset and partitioned dataset member purposes including renaming, deleting, allocating, and listing.
What does the Command menu provide in ISPF?
Enables you to enter TSO commands or execute CLIST or REXX programs
True or False
The z/OS UNIX shell can be used to access data on the mainframe?
True
What command allows you to enter the UNIX shell from TSO
the OMVS command
Within ISPF, what is the Utility for Unix directory listing?
z/OS UNIX List Utility
True or False
The ISHELL command provides the user with access to the z/OS UNIX shell.
True
True or False
TSO provides the user with a menu-driven interface to the mainframe.
False - This is handled by ISPF
This is a mountable file system, which is being phased out.
Hierarchical File System
This type of file system allows z/OS to access a remote UNIX file system using TCP/IP.
z/OS Network File System
This file system resides in a z/OS VSAM data set.
z/OS File System
This file system is a temporary, in-memory physical file system.
Temporary File System
Which member of SYS1.PARMLIB contains system console authorization definitions?
CONSOLxx
Which TSO command will display an ISPF panel interface that can be used to interact with z/OS UNIX?
ISHELL
VSAM Dataset
These types of data sets are useful where individual records from the data set can be selected for processing. Several variations exist for this type of data set: KSDS, RRDS, ESDS, and Linear data sets.
Partitioned Dataset
This type of data set contains individual members, which in turn contain sequential data.
Sequential Dataset
This type of data set is the simplest data structure in a z/OS system. It consists of one or more records stored in physical order and processed in sequence.
What is the purpose of the master dataset
It is the main catalog used to search for a data set when access to it is requested.
