MVSFORUMS.com

manojagrawal · Beginner Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 124 Topics: 29

Hi,

I didnt see any other forum this could go to, and thus its here.

Does any one know anything about the SMP/E process and has anyone ever used it to do the installs? I did read a lot about it and am still going on and have to now start the installs soon.

A few questions:
1) What does the PTFIN file contain?
2) Is the load module created after the Receive and Apply process.
3) What is a Link member?
4) What is the RWACNTL?
5) How is the NCAL's used? Is it used to create the load lib? Is the link-edit process done as part of the install (Apply???). Are the NCAL's not necessary after the receive, apply and accept processes?
_________________
Thanks & Regards,
Manoj.

kolusu · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 6:06 pm Post subject:

Manoj,

check the following links. Most of your answers can be found in the links 2 to 4.

Overview of SMP/E

SMP/E Program Directory

SMP/E V3R2.0 Reference

SMP/E V3R2.0 User's Guide

Hope this helps...

cheers

kolusu
_________________
Kolusu
www.linkedin.com/in/kolusu

manojagrawal · Beginner Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 124 Topics: 29

Hi,

Thanks for the links Kolusu. I did go through the above and did get some more uselful information apart from the ones I had already gone thru... However I am still confused with the following questions:

2) Is the load module created after the Receive and Apply process. (I guess it is cos after this we can do the runs for testing before going onto Accept processing)
3) What is a Link member? How exactly do we create the load module after this is created? What if all the code till date uses the old PLI compiler and this module requires compilation and link-editing using LE/370... I guess we dont need to do a compile but only a link-edit....any suggestions? (Wont LE ever leave me???? 8) )
4) What is the RWACNTL? (Could not get anything on this)
5) How is the NCAL's used? Is it used to create the load lib? Is the link-edit process done as part of the install (during Apply?). Are the NCAL's not necessary after the receive, apply and accept processes?
_________________
Thanks & Regards,
Manoj.

taltyman · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 11:02 am Post subject:

2) yes, an apply creates/modifies executable code that is placed in datasets defined by DDs in JCL or by DDDEFs in the CSI. This can be load modules/clists/panels/macros and on and on.
3) why do you ask? The apply should create what you need to run unless the vendor has post smp/e processing or special smp/e setup that is required.
4) Never heard of it but the cntl part makes it sound like a ddname for a control library.
5) see answer to 3)

Normally to install a product the vendor will give you a cookbook to follow along with JCL that you can customize. Sometimes they also provide an IVP (initial verification program). They should also make you aware of any language requirements such as LE, PL/I, etc (IE, your question 3)

One simple rule for any apply. Make sure you run an apply check first and verify the datasets you are going to update.

manojagrawal · Beginner Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 124 Topics: 29

Hi Taltyman,

3) For the installation that I have to do, all my existing code is using the old PLI compiler and of the new changes that have come in that i am installing, all but ONE of the modules uses the old compiler. Thus they mentioned that this would be a LINK member. Thats got me confused as it has not mentioned a link member for the remaining modules.

5) So we come back to what exactly is the NCAL? Smile

Is it the Object code which is then used during the install to make the Load?

Finally, you mentioned
"One simple rule for any apply. Make sure you run an apply check first and verify the datasets you are going to update."

How do I run a Apply Check first? How can I verify the datasets that would be updated by doing a apply check? Question

Thanks for your help!
_________________
Thanks & Regards,
Manoj.

manojagrawal · Beginner Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 124 Topics: 29

Ok, I got how to do a Apply Check

- for the Apply Check I would have to include the CHECK option.

(Still reading a lot .... ) Rolling Eyes

_________________
Thanks & Regards,
Manoj.

taltyman · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 6:00 pm Post subject:

Can you tell us what you are installing? Maybe someone here has installed that same product.

There is a chapter in the smp/e reference on the LINK command. See the url link for that manual that was previously provided.

manojagrawal · Beginner Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 124 Topics: 29

Its not exactly some sort of IBM Product, but is a QuickFix to an application handled by me. Thus its specific to me and no one would have installed the same stuff.
_________________
Thanks & Regards,
Manoj.

warp5 · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 2:12 am Post subject:

IBM offers a week long course just on the topic of SMPE, and after that course you still have to learn a lot about the principles and how to use everything! A quick review:
The commands are read from DD SMPCNTL
Recieve - processes the input (DD SMPPTFIN) and places it in the Global Zone (dataset SMPPTS)
Reject - removes the PTF from the Global Zone and SMPPTS
Apply Check - checks most of the conditions for installing the PTF
Apply - installs the PTF
Restore - returns the system back to the last Accept
Accept Check - checks conditions for an Accept
Accept - the PTFs are stored in the DLIB and are now the base for the next Restore

taltyman · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 9:22 am Post subject:

Are you saying that this is an in-house wriiten application that uses SMP/E packaging? If so there better be some in-house SMP/E expertise.

manojagrawal · Beginner Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 124 Topics: 29

Yep, It is sort of written in house.

What I mean is that it is written by someone else and sent to us and we maintain it. Now the last changes that were installed to the system we like years ago and all working on those are now not around. From then, a lot of minor things were done directly on the system, which may have a caused a difference between the master libraries and the installation libraries (Which I hope arnt that major that will effect the installation - YES I am hoping something impossible type). Thus presently I have no SMP/E expertise around me.... Except me trying to gather some expert advice before I go along. Very Happy

_________________
Thanks & Regards,
Manoj.

manojagrawal · Beginner Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 124 Topics: 29

Anyone has any SMP/E Jobs/Procs sample for the Receive, Apply and Accept steps?

Would like to compare the samples with what I have. Thanks!!!
_________________
Thanks & Regards,
Manoj.

warp5 · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 2:00 am Post subject:

Your last request depends a lot on your shop how a job would look like, like if your DDDEFs are defined or do you define them in the job, etc.. If you go into SMPE you can generate the examples your self, for a newcomer it is not very easy to use, but you will learn things about SMPE while trying. If anybody in your shop knows SMPE they may be able to help you.

manojagrawal · Beginner Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 124 Topics: 29

I have finally managed to get down to the actual installation of this...

1) Receive was successful - RC = 0
2) Apply Check gave a RC = 4
==> GIM43401W MODULE XXXXXX IN SYSMOD XXXXXXX WAS NOT INSTALLED IN ANY TARGET LIBRARY
What sort of a difference would this make? Any idea?

Now, I have done the APPLY CHECK. How will I know whether it was only the APPLY CHECK that was done, or it was actually applied??? I mean what is the way to see that it was truly a APLLY CHECK and not a APPLY. Any suggestions???
_________________
Thanks & Regards,
Manoj.

warp5 · Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 2:18 am Post subject:

See what I said above. Just look at your SMPOUT and you will see the commands you issued in the job.