MainView for CICS data collection

• Data about CICS resources (such as programs, files, and connections) is collected directly from CICS.
• Data that is not available directly is extracted from active CICS regions by the MainView for CICS data extractor.

The MainView for CICS data extractor is not required to be active. However, when it is active, it provides significant additional data about the tasks and transactions that are running in a CICS region. If the extractor is not active, displays are limited to the data that CICS offers about its resources.

To start the data extractor, use one of the following methods:

• Specify a Program List Table (PLT) entry.

  A PLT entry starts the data extractor automatically at CICS startup.

• Invoke one of the following transactions to start the data extractor manually:

  • Invoke FST2 from an MVS console or from within a CICS region.

    The FST2 transaction starts, stops, and controls the communications and data extractor components under CICS. FST2 normally runs asynchronously (without a terminal), but it can be entered from an MVS console that is defined to CICS.

  • Invoke SMN2 from within a CICS region.

    The SMN2 transaction manually starts and stops the communications and data extractor components. SMN2 schedules FST2 to perform its functions and reports on the status of the components.

• Use the line commands from the CREGAGT view.

  With auto maintenance in place, the Extractor can be controlled using the QON and QOF line commands from the CREGAGT view after CICS is connected to the BBI-SS PAS.

Data that is collected by the extractor is stored in VSAM data sets that are defined when MainView for CICS is implemented at a site. A detail performance record is created for each transaction that runs. The output is written to the detail transaction file, which is called CMRDETL. All statistical records are written periodically, as specified by you, to the SMF data set in SMF 110 statistical record format. For information about defining the CMRDETL data sets and the specifications of the SMF statistical records, see Customizing-after-installation.

The remainder of this section describes the types of data that are available from the MainView for CICS data extractor.