Console Automation

The Operator Dynamic Dialog Subsystem (ODDS) is an expert console automation operations subsystem which gives systems programming and operations personnel the flexibility to dynamically manage and monitor data center functions.

Today’s data centers see the need to automate console functions as well as on-line applications functions. ODDS is a product which can be used for console automation of virtually all data center related functions.

System Automation

ODDS is a comprehensive OS390/zOS tool that provides multiple solutions to your management needs. The ODDS console automation tool can also be used as a complete VTAM application transaction scheduler, system startup/shutdown automation manager, system/network performance monitor, job scheduler, WTO and WTOR manager, and Command manager.

Console Automation that is Fast and Easy to Use

An ODDS automated IPL can be done 95% faster than a manual IPL performed by an operator. The automated IPL facility eliminates operator interventions and increases system and subsystem availability.

Enhance System/Network Availability with ODDS console automation

ODDS improves the availability of critical subsystems by monitoring normal and abnormal subsystem processing events. ODDS increases network availability by reactivating network nodes in response to error conditions.

The ODDS AutoRule Facility

The ODDS AutoRule Facility allows users to quickly and easily customize and create rules from a panel driven interface. Many of the commonly used rules for automation can be created from this user friendly, fill-in-the blanks facility. A wide range of pre-defined criteria is available for the creation of console automation rules.

Procedures

Monitor and Report Critical Errors

ODDS features the ability to dynamically monitor critical system errors and report these errors to systems programming and operations personnel. In addition, ODDS may optionally submit recovery jobs for execution.

VTAM Application Automation Facility

The VTAM Application Automation Facility allows the data center to access and execute online transactions defined in ODDS console automation rules. This facility may be used to automate batch schedules in conjunction with the use of an automated job scheduler to insure batch process continuity. ODDS can sign-on to CICS and open and close files as required by batch workloads. ODDS also features the AutoRule Facility, which allows data centers to define and implement over90% of all its console automation rules using preprogrammed functions. User-friendly ISPF dialogs allow data center personnel to design automation rules by simply filling in the blanks.

Comprehensive Features

• VTAM sign-on access to Omegamon, TMON/OS390/zOS, TMON/CICS, NetView and CA-7.
• OS390/zOS/VSE Virtual Look-aside Facility and Access Register mode support.
• SAM Access method data set trigger facility support. This facility can be used to trigger automation rules based on PUT and WRITE requests to SAM data.

Technical Summary of ODDS Console Automation

ODDS is a complete automated operations program product that dynamically manages and monitors the execution of the OS390/zOS operating system and its subsystems. No other operations or systems support is required and no new data processing languages are needed. ODDS is delivered ready for immediate use, providing maximum performance in automation.

The ODDS Console Automation Execution

The concept and operation of ODDS is user-friendly. The user defines “rules” through the AutoRule Facility or ISPF EDIT facility and stores them as members of a PDS. Using various ODDS built-in functions within these rules, the user defines actions to be taken based upon some triggered event, usually a message being displayed or command being issued. ODDS console automation dynamically intercepts system and subsystem events and matches these with user-defined event triggers in automation rules. If a match is found, the user-defined actions associated with the event are executed.

Enhanced Variable Capability

Powerful rule variables can be used to pass information such as abend codes, jobnames, and special conditions from triggered events to automation rules.

Extensive System Benefits

ODDS console automation imparts numerous critical system benefits, including the elimination of production throughput bottlenecks.

• System operator productivity is improved.
• Critical OS390/zOS system errors can be monitored.
• Restriction of potentially dangerous system commands.
• Replacement of complex MVS Console commands with simple user-defined commands.
• Conversion of complex technical messages into more meaningful messages.

Multiple Support Facilities

The ODDS Multiple Console Support Facility allows users to route WTO and WTOR messages from OS390/zOS-defined consoles to TSO terminals. The facility can also be used to issue ODDS commands from TSO terminals.

• The Console Tutorial Facility allows operations personnel to document critical system and applications procedures for viewing from any operator console or TSO/E terminal.
• The Message Log Support Facility keeps track of all actions taken by ODDS and produces a logical audit trail.
• The user can also set up separate logs for each of the existing subsystems at the installation.

Cross Platform Console Automation Support

For environments with AS/400 systems, users can implement an automation rule with ODDS that will allow them to send data or commands between OS390 and the AS/400. Commands can be sent from ODDS rules from within the OS390/zOS complex to the AS/400. These commands will be able to start or stop AS/400 applications. In an environment where client servers are defined to VTAM as nodes, ODDS can do the following:

• Monitor traffic through the LAN network.
• Start/Stop and restart the LANs.
• Monitor which users access a specific node or LAN port.

Features and Benefits of Console Automation with ODDS

• Automatic IPL facility.
• Automatic Shutdown facility.
• Automatic startup/shutdown of JES, VTAM, CICS, IMS, TSO/E, etc.
• Automatic reply to WTOR messages.
• The ODDS API (Application Program Interface) allows other programs such as INFOMAN, NetView and other automation program products such as an automated job scheduler, to communicate with ODDS.

Installation of Console Automation Hardware/Software Requirements

ODDS can be installed and operational in less then one day with no hooks into your operating system. ODDS can be run in any OS390/zOS environment.



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