I have pitched this idea before. In a process that predates me in this shop, it
was recognized that quite apart from auditors' poking around, we sysprogs
needed a way to track a 'system package' at it migrated from one system to the
next throughout the enterprise. The choice was to attach an arbitrary label to
identify a particular *bundle* of maintenance that we would migrate stepwise
from sandbox to production. The label looks like this
R##@
R is a constant, ## represents the OS release, and @ is letter that starts with
A and get incremented for each new maintenance bundle. Currently we have R13@
for z/OS 1.13 and R21@ for z/OS 2.1. This label shows us at a glance which OS
release a system is running, while the suffix allows us to track the migration
of a particular bundle. We can easily tell which systems are at the same level,
or which are up or down level if they're not the same.
Once a bundle is ready for migration, we ZAP the new level into the nucleus in
the user area. This is supported by a program/command that displays the level.
Furthermore, we create members in text files like ISPF and OMVS that are easily
viewed. The level can also be embedded in dataset names used for migration.
Before we IPL a system at a new level, we run a Rexx that checks consistency
among various components to verify that all relevant pieces have been migrated
properly.
This process has worked extremely well since the 1980s, before 'OS390' or
'z/OS'. If you want something like this, you can start with the label. Then
write some code to display it. Then build the label into a migration process.
You can take it as far as you want.
As for auditors, they seem fixated on RACF and OMVS APARs. Something they must
be taught in summer camp. The level strategy is really for us.
.
.
.
J.O.Skip Robinson
Southern California Edison Company
Electric Dragon Team Paddler
SHARE MVS Program Co-Manager
626-302-7535 Office
323-715-0595 Mobile
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf
Of Lizette Koehler
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 7:10 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: RSU or maintenance level on a system
Or another Technique could be to use the CVTUSER field. Zap it with a Usermod
to include the RSU with your live system
00D4 212 Signed 4 CVTUSER - FIELD AVAILABLE TO USER
Thought I do like the SYMBOLS option, but it is way too easy to change.
Zapping the CVTUSER would take more effort and the USERMOD would remind you to
do it.
Lizette
> -----Original Message-----
> From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[email protected]]
> On Behalf Of Blake, Daniel J [CTR]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 6:07 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: RSU or maintenance level on a system
>
> One more thing, IBM supplies the OS information for you using
> &SYSOSLVL. You cannot change it and you don't have to specify it in your
> IEASYMxx member.
For us
> when we enter D SYMBOLS it's: &SYSOSLVL. = "Z1020100".
>
>
>
> ;-D an
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[email protected]]
> On Behalf Of Blake, Daniel J [CTR]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 9:00 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: RSU or maintenance level on a system
>
> So give your auditors want they want using your IEASYMxx member. Add
> "SYMDEF(&ROOTNAME='.RSU1nnn')" to it and when they ask for your RSU
> issue the "D SYMBOLS" command. Just make sure nnn is your current RSU number.
>
>
>
> ;-D an
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[email protected]]
> On Behalf Of Jousma, David
> Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 8:30 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: RSU or maintenance level on a system
>
> IBM is correct. No way to do that.
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Dave Jousma
> Assistant Vice President, Mainframe Engineering [email protected]
> 1830 East Paris, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 MD RSCB2H p 616.653.8429 f
> 616.653.2717
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[email protected]]
> On Behalf Of Lopez, Sharon
> Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 8:28 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: RSU or maintenance level on a system
>
> I already posted this question to IBM but wanted to find out if others
> are
getting this
> request from their auditors.
>
> Our auditors want to be able to display the RSU or maintenance level
> of our
z/OS
> system. To my knowledge, there is no way to do that (IBM has also agreed).
Does
> anyone know if this is possible and are you getting the same request
> from your auditors.? Keep in mind that our auditors do know z/OS or
> mainframe. It
sounds like
> they are used to seeing displays on other platforms with this
> information with release and fix level.
>
> Thank you in advance.
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