Changes for Version 5 Release 1

CICS® VR Version 5 Release 1 contains these changes.

Support for GDPS® Active-Active continuous availability solution

CICS VR 5.1 provides replication logging capability in support of the IBM® GDPS/Active-Active (GDPS/AA) availability solution which IBM intends, in the future, to enhance to support replication of VSAM data for active-standby and active-query configurations. Currently GDPS/AA provides software replication of DB2® and IMS™ data between geographically dispersed sysplexes. The replication logging in CICS VR is intended to be used by GDPS/AA to provide replication of VSAM data updated by batch jobs under the control of CICS VR and complements replication logging capability in CICS TS 5.1 which provides the same support for VSAM files under control of CICS TS.

In CICS VR 5.1 support for replication logging provides UNDO, REDO, Tie-up records and File Close records on the same MVS™ logstream. Replication logging is activated using a new LOGREPLICATE attribute on the VSAM cluster definition. Replication logging can be activated in addition to any CICS VR UNDO or REDO logging already in place for backout or forward recovery support. If both replication logging and REDO logging for forward recovery are activated, they share the same logstream.

IBM's statements regarding its plans, directions, and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice at IBM's sole discretion. Information regarding potential future products is intended to outline our general product direction and it should not be relied on in making a purchasing decision. The information mentioned regarding potential future products is not a commitment, promise, or legal obligation to deliver any material, code or functionality. Information about potential future products may not be incorporated into any contract. The development, release, and timing of any future features or functionality described for our products remains at our sole discretion.

Batch logging enhancements

The CICS VR batch logging diagnostics are improved, including an enhanced DWW269I message in the joblog that provides the details of the type of logging and the number of records, in decimal, written. On the system log new DWW400I and DWW401I messages provide details of the jobnames and job IDs using batch logging and which logstreams are being used. Clashes can be more easily identified, for example the attempted use of the same logstream by two concurrent jobs. For more information see, Setting up CICS VR VSAM batch logging.

Batch backout improvements

The support provided by CICS VR when running batch backout to back out a batch job or jobstep are enhanced. The enhancements include: For more information see, BATCHBACK: Remove updates to VSAM spheres.

Migration utility enhancements

For more information see, General migration considerations.

NOTIFY enhancements

CICS VR provides a sample REXX clist to demonstrate the notification of multiple VSAM sphere backups. For more information see, NOTIFY: Notify CICS VR when a VSAM sphere backup is created.

Message and report enhancements

For more information see, Understanding CICS VR reports.

Logstream Printing enhancements

DWWJUP has been enhanced to identify replication records written by CICS VR 5.1 and CICS TS 5.1.