gtpd2m0iData Communications Services Reference


CRAS Support

This document describes the functions and capabilities of the computer room agent set (CRAS) support package. Procedures required to initially configure, modify, and use the CRAS support are also outlined.

Computer room agent set (CRAS) is the name given to devices which have been assigned to control the operation of the TPF system. CRAS devices are used by the system operator to monitor system activity, respond to messages generated internally by the system, perform supervisory functions, and to collect hardcopy output of system activity. The number of devices that may be defined as CRAS is installation dependent (maximum of 115) and can be modified dynamically during online operation. The current configuration of CRAS devices is maintained in the CRAS status table (CR0AT).

There are three classes of CRAS devices. They are:

Prime CRAS (PRC):
System console

Receive Only (RO) CRAS:
System RO console (hardcopy of Prime CRAS)

Alternate CRAS:
Any device in the CRAS status table which is not being used as the Prime/RO CRAS

The terms alternate Prime CRAS, alternate 1052, and alternate console (henceforth referred to as alternate console) describe the devices assigned at system generation time which are reserved for use by the console fallback routines (03-CVKM, 03-CIOLC) in the event of a failure on a system console (PRC or RO). These terms should not be confused with the term alternate CRAS. Alternate CRAS devices appear in the CRAS status table; alternate consoles do not.

Additionally, any hardcopy or 3270 local CRT alternate CRAS device logged to SMP is eligible for use as a functional support console (FSC). FSCs are defined via the ZACRS command, and typically serve as hardcopy logs of system activity which has been separated by function. For example, definition of a communications FSC will provide a hardcopy log of all communications-related input and output. A functional support console (FSC) can be defined as a 3270 local (CRT) device. When a FSC is defined as a CRT, there is no longer any hardcopy available for this FSC.

Note:
Although the capability exists for remote 3270 CRTs to be defined as FSCs, the TPF system does not support this environment because of long message processing (scrolling package) requirements.