SNACONS: Frequently-Asked Questions

What MVS software levels does SNACONS work with?

SNACONS operates with all releases of OS/390. It is also known to work on MVS/ESA 5.2.2, z/OS 1.4 and z/OS 1.7.

z/OS has SMCS. Why would I want SNACONS?

While you are still migrating your systems to z/OS, SNACONS gives you the equivalent facility on your existing OS/390 systems. Even after you have converted to z/OS, you may still want to continue using SNACONS because it does not require you to predefine consoles (you can log on from any VTAM terminal). SNACONS consoles can also be useful in a sysplex environment because they do not count towards the 99 console limit. Furthermore, you can have SNACONS up and running without an IPL.

What security product is required to run SNACONS?

SNACONS requires RACF or an equivalent security product to provide signon support. SNACONS has been tested with RACF Version 2, and I have received reports that SNACONS works with CA-Top Secret 5.0. It probably also works with ACF2, although this has not been tested.

What types of terminal does SNACONS support?

SNACONS will work with any screen which can appear to VTAM as a 3270 with 24 rows and 80 columns. This includes:

Just about any SNA 3270 screen (3278, 3279, 3178, InfoWindow, etc)
Any 3270 emulator (such as a DOS or Windows PC running QWS3270, IBM Personal Communications 3270, Rumba, Dynacomm Elite, Reflection, or Attachmate Extra)
Any TN3270 client (such as a Unix or Windows system) connected to VTAM via the TELNET feature of IBM TCP/IP for MVS. It also works with Interlink TCP/IP for MVS, so I am told.
Non-SNA 3270 screens supported by VTAM as SNA 3270 (for example, a 3278 on a channel-attached 3174)

So far as I am aware, the only thing that which won't work is the old 3277 model 1 (if any still exist!) because this is a 12x40 screen.

Can SNACONS use 3270 model 3, 4, and 5 screens?

Yes, but only in 24x80 mode with the current version of SNACONS.

Can I use SNACONS to replace the master console?

No. SNACONS cannot operate until VTAM is active. You can get away without a master console by using the Hardware Management Console (HMC), if your system has one. Otherwise you will still need at least one real MCS console to IPL.

How can I find out which SNA consoles are active?

Use the command D C,KEY=SNACONS.

How can I display the status of a particular console?

Use the command D C,CN=consolename.

How can I alter the route codes and command authority assigned to a particular console?

Use a command such as V CN=(consolename),ROUT=(3,4),AUTH=(IO,SYS).

Some messages which appear on the SYSLOG are not displayed on the SNA console. Why?

Maybe the messages are being suppressed by the MVS message processing facility. Use the command D MPF and check whether the message identifier appears in the list.

Maybe the console route codes or message importance levels do not match those of the message. Use the command D C,CN=consolename to display the route codes and importance levels assigned to the console.

How can I prevent unauthorized users logging on to SNACONS?

This can be done via the RACF profile MVS.MCSOPER.* in the OPERCMDS class. This example shows how to prevent all but named users from activating a console session:

SETROPTS CLASSACT(OPERCMDS)
SETROPTS GENERIC(OPERCMDS)
RDEFINE OPERCMDS MVS.MCSOPER.* UACC(NONE)
PERMIT MVS.MCSOPER.* CL(OPERCMDS) ID(user1 user2) ACC(READ)
SETROPTS RACLIST(OPERCMDS) REFRESH

How do I restrict which MVS commands a user can enter?

Define RACF profiles in the OPERCMDS class. Here is an example showing how to allow display commands to be issued by all users, but restrict all other MVS commands to a specified group:

SETROPTS CLASSACT(OPERCMDS)
SETROPTS GENERIC(OPERCMDS)
RDEFINE OPERCMDS MVS.* UACC(NONE)
PERMIT MVS.* CL(OPERCMDS) ID(groupid) ACC(READ)
RDEFINE OPERCMDS MVS.DISPLAY.* UACC(READ)
SETROPTS RACLIST(OPERCMDS) REFRESH

For more information, refer to the OS/390 MVS Planning: Operations manual.

How do I define RACF OPERPARM segments?

Use the TSO ALTUSER command to add an OPERPARM segment for each user. Here are some examples:

ALU (userid) OPERPARM(AUTH(ALL) ROUTCODE(ALL))
ALU (userid) OPERPARM(AUTH(IO,SYS) ROUTCODE(3:6))
ALU (userid) OPERPARM(AUTH(INFO) ROUTCODE(NONE))

My password has expired. How do I enter a new password?

The current version of SNACONS has no facility to enter a new password. You have to logon to TSO (or Netview or CICS) and change your password in the logon panel. Then you can sign on to SNACONS using the new password.

What console modes does SNACONS support?

The current version of SNACONS only supports DEL=RD mode with in-line display areas. Support for other modes (for example DEL=N and out-of-line display areas) may be added in a future release.

When I start SNACONS, it fails with this message: `SNA001I SNACONS CANNOT OPEN ACB applid, R15=00000008, ACBERFLG=5A`

This means that you have not activated the VTAM application major node for SNACONS. Use the command V NET,ACT,ID=SNACAPPL

When I try to logon, I see these messages on the SYSLOG: `IEA995I SYSTEM COMPLETION CODE=683 SNA015I SNACONS SUBTASK ABEND CODE=8468300`

This means that you have not APF-authorized the SNACONS load library.

My console suddenly stops rolling actioned messages off the screen

This is an OS/390 bug. Ask your IBM representative to supply you with a PTF to fix APAR OW33359.

How can I quickly delete an action message?

Press PF1. It is hardcoded to issue a K E,1 command.

Is there a command recall facility?

Yes. Just like a real MCS console, PA1 is the command recall key. The current version of SNACONS can only recall the last command entered. A multiple command recall stack may be introduced in a future version.

How do I terminate my SNACONS console session?

Enter the logoff command at your SNACONS console.

How do I stop SNACONS?

Use the command P SNACONS.

Last updated 20 Mar 2006