This course is an introduction to the System-managed, Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem (DFSMS) environment where the dataset lifecycle is managed by predefined policy as required by service level agreements. It describes the components of the DFSMS architecture. At an overview level, it teaches the policy structure and how to build it using the Interactive Storage Management Facility (ISMF), ISMF is the storage manager's interface to building and maintaining the managed environment. The course also teaches how to develop and implement storage management strategies in z/OS as well as how to perform storage management tasks such as managing media, managing data, managing space, and managing availability.

• Describe the significance of system managed storage and automation of the data set lifecycle
• Specify the function and structure of the Volume Table Of Contents (VTOC), the VTOC index, and the catalog in relation to monitoring the location and the current status of a data set
• Use ICKDSF to perform media management for volume preparation, surface analysis, and error handling
• Apply techniques available to resolve common space management problems
• Identify options to ensure data availability and recoverability
• Use ISMF options such as sorting, filtering, and commands, to analyze data and volume attributes
• Advise users to effectively and efficiently use external storage based on data set use and characteristics
• Identify storage management functions that can be performed automatically in a DFSMS environment

This basic course is for beginning z/OS storage administrators and would benefit people such as applications and operations who need to understand issues associated with storage management.

You should have:

• Completed Introduction to Data Storage Subsystems for z/OS (ILO) (SK050) or
• An Introduction to Data Storage Subsystems for z/OS (SS050) or
• Fundamental knowledge of data storage devices

Day 1

• Unit 1 - Introduction
• Unit 2 - ABCs of Automatic Class Selection (ACS)
• Unit 3 - ISMF
• Lab 1 ISMF introduction
• Lab 1 Review

Day 2

• Unit 4 - Media management
• Unit 5 - Data management
• Lab 2 Using ISMF command
• Unit 6 - Space management
• Lab 3 (Optional) Working with constructs

Day 3

• Lab 2 and 3 Review
• Unit 7 - Availability management
• Lab 4 (Optional) Using data sets and utilities
• Lab 4 Review