Task 2.4: Configuring Multi-Batch Communication Task (MBCT)

Code Debug TSO and Code Debug IMS Installer is required for this task.

By default, the Code Debug TSO Multi-Batch Facility is a single-LPAR feature. The Multi-Batch Staging File (MBSF) can be located on shared DASD and shared across LPARs, but updates to the file must be communicated from the LPAR on which they are made to the LPAR on which the submitted test job will run. The Multi-Batch Communication Task (MBCT), program XPMMBCT, facilitates this cross-LPAR communication.

XPMMBCT can be run as a batch job or a started task. It must be started after the Multi-Batch Intercept and TCP/IP. A copy of this program must be running on each LPAR that will be part of the test environment. Because XPMMBCT spends much of its time “waiting”, it should be made exempt from normal Job Wait Time (JWT) restrictions. The job/task can be canceled. You can also use the MVS STOP command (P jobname) to end the task.

Activation Procedure

1. Use the XTUPDATE macro to configure SLXTINST(JCLMBCT).
   The Multi-Batch Communication Task is driven by control cards that specify the HOME and REMOTE LPARs that participate in communication. Change them to reflect your environments. The control cards should follow the format described in the following table.
   MBCTIN Control Card Format

   Position	Length	Value	Comment
   1-8	8	Port identifier keyword	The LPAR the MBCT is to run on is identified by keyword HOMEPORT. There must be only one HOMEPORT defined to an MBCT. A remote LPAR is identified by keyword RMOTPORT. There must be at least one RMOTPORT defined to an MBCT.
   9	1	Equal sign(=)
   10-14	5	5-digit port number.	This is a TCP/IP port number that will be used to “listen” to other MBCTs (for a HOMEPORT) or to communicate to other MBCTs (RMOTPORT).
   15	1	Comma (,)
   16-22	7	NAME/IP	The literal NAME/IP
   23	1	Equal sign(=)
   24-67	44	Host Name or IP address associated with this port number OPTIONAL	Host Name in the format x.y.z (for example, SYS1.MYCOMPANY.COM), or IP address in the format nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn (for example, 198.162.83.1) Optional, only used on the HOMEPORT card.
   68	1	Comma (,)
   69-71	3	TPN keyword	The literal TPN
   72	1	Equal sign (=)
   73-80	8	TCPIP Name	TCP/IP Name used on the HOMEPORT LPAR.

2. Submit the JCL. It should end with return code 0.

WTO Messages

Submitting the JCL to run the Multi-Batch Communication Task (JCLMBCT) will result in write to operator (WTO) message. These messages are prefixed with

   XPDnnnn :XPMMBCT -

where nnnn is the message number, followed by one of the following: