Visara Master Console Center Installation - Manual (Page 49)

Chapter 6 Preparation of User Interfaces
Installation Preparation Guide 49
MCC STARS MVS Agent
Overview
MCCSTARS is an agent (authorized program) that runs on your z/OS
systems to ensure that all MVS high priority messages are sent to the
MCC server as alerts. It also monitors Delete Operator Message actions to
see when alerts can be deleted. z/OS systems normally produce only a few
messages a second. Unfortunately, during some outages and critical
situations hundreds of messages a second may be produced. This is
precisely when it is critical for the alerts to appear on the MCC alert
window.
By default, MCCSTARS uses information provided by the issuing
program about each message (descriptor codes). Messages flagged as
action required or requiring operator response is automatically sent to the
MCC server. There a user written script can decide whether the message
is to be ignored, cause an alert, issue an SNMP trap to another system
and/or whether an Email is to be sent. As the issuing program indicates
that the required action is complete, the alert is automatically deleted.
In addition, messages may be filtered on z/OS. Here some action required
messages may be ignored or some informational messages may be sent to
the MCC server to generate alerts. For example, a remote printing
package may issue an action required message when a remote laser
printer runs out of paper. Since this problem is typically handled by
remote users, it may be desired to filter out these alerts on z/OS, before
sending them to the MCC server. Another example might be the
production CICS system. z/OS will produce an IEF450I job ended message
when CICSPROD ends. You may wish to forward this message to the
MCC server so that an alert can be produced.
Typically, MCCSTARS is installed before the MCC server is installed.
Visara suggests that the default settings be used, initially, so that all
action messages cause alerts. As you become more familiar with
MCCSTARS you may wish to modify the mccstars_exit.scr, provided, to
enhance your environment. Finally, if desired modify the filters on z/OS to
suppress messages or turn informational messages into alerts.
Planning For MCCSTARS Installation
Contact Visara technical support for the MCCSTARS installation
materials and browse the MCCSTARS Installation And Administration
Manual. Several MVS data sets are provided in TSO transmit format,
including a PDSE load library, a parameter library and a MCCSTARS
Started Task cataloged procedure.