> -----Original Message-----
> From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[email protected]]
> On Behalf Of William Richardson
> Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 8:57 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: SMF Dataset CLOSE PENDING ISSUE
> 
> General note ..... "Close Pending" status for an SMF dataset is
> actually fairly normal but should NOT persist for very long.  It
> basically means that SMF is still writing data out to that physical
> dataset but has "logically" reached the end of the file and is
> collecting/targetting its current input data to the 'next' dataset
> (which in this case there is none - which I suspect might have been the
> source of the issue).

Interesting to know about CLOSE PENDING. But I don't understand the explanation 
because, in the past, I have had all my SMF data sets fill up. In that case, 
SMF started buffering "in memory" and the last used MAN data set was "DUMP 
REQUIRED". This was before I had CA-OPS/MVS issuing a command to start the STC 
which would dump the switched from MAN data set. It is also why I have a 
"spare" MAN data set already defined and EMPTY so that I can add a new one 
quickly. IIRC, I had to do this one time when SMF records were being created 
faster than they could be written to disk so every MAN data set filled up and I 
couldn't empty the fast enough.

> 
> Second note ...... you really should have procedures in place on the
> system to "dump" and CLEAR SMF datasets as soon they become FULL - you
> should never really have SMF datasets that are in "dump required"
> state.  That's system data that has been collected and is just sitting
> there not being used for its intended purpose.  IF for some reason
> there is no actual need for the data then just make sure to CLEAR the
> datasets as they become FULL.

I agree. I used to have an IEFU29 exit, but found it easier to use a CA-OPS/MVS 
rule to start the dump process.

> 
> Third general thing ..... "Close Pending" is USUALLY an indication of a
> thru-put performance iusse with SMF - that is, the data is being
> collected as a FASTER rate than it is being physically written out to
> the SMF dataset.  In most cases there might be a data spike that causes
> this sort of behavior instead of a sustained data rate issue; the other
> possiblity to consider is an I/O (performance) issue with the physical
> SMF dataset itself.

I was thinking that a hardware RESERVE on the volume containing the MAN data 
set from a different z/OS system might cause this. I have converted most of the 
hardware RESERVEs into GRS global ENQs. 

> 
> Finally, as has already been noted .... if the problems persists then
> contact IBM Service.
> 
> Thanks,
> Bill....
> z/OS Development and Service

-- 
John McKown
Systems Engineer IV
IT

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