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Configuring the Global Notification File

Administrators use the Global Notification File to pass information to ChangeMan ZMF users. You can use this facility to inform users about:

  • Scheduled down time.
  • Scheduled maintenance changes to ChangeMan ZMF.
  • Work-arounds for recently discovered problems.
  • Upcoming ChangeMan ZMF education or discussion sessions.

When a user connects to ChangeMan ZMF after an administrator updates the Global Notification File, the ISPF short message NOTIFICATION UPDATED displays in the upper right corner of the ChangeMan ZMF Primary Option Menu (CMN@PRIM).

CMN@PRIM          ChangeMan(R) Primary Option Menu NOTIFICATION UPDATED
Option ===> __________________________________________________________________

1 Settings      User parameters
2 Build         Create, update and review package data
3 Freeze        Freeze or unfreeze a package
4 Promote       Promote or demote a package
5 Approve       Approve or reject a package
6 List          Display (to process) package list
7 Reports       Generate ChangeMan ZMF batch reports
8 Release       Extended Release Management
A Admin         Perform administrative functions
B Backout       Back out a package in production
C M+R           Merge+Reconcile
D Delete        Delete or undelete a package
L Log           Browse the activity log
M Monitor       Monitor internal scheduler or packages in limbo
N Notify        Browse the Global Notification File
O OFMlist       Online Forms package list
Q Query         Query packages, components and relationships
R Revert        Revert a package to DEV status
T Tutorial      Display information about ChangeMan ZMF
X Exit          Exit ChangeMan ZMF

If the user presses PF1, this message is displayed:

   CMN1116I - Option-N file last updated 06/21/2018 18:52 last read 05/24/2018 14:52.

The short message persists on the ChangeMan ZMF Primary Option Menu until the user selects option N Notify to display the contents of the Global Notification File.

ISRBROBA    CMNTP.A014D.#C5F20DB.#F02849D.OUTLIST    Line 00000000 Col 001 080 
Command ===> ________________________________________________ Scroll ===> CSR 
********************************* Top of Data *********************************

GLOBAL ADMINISTRATION MESSAGE 06/21/2018 
  1. New library types have been added to perform automatic JCL scans. 
  2. Security request forms have been added to Online Forms. Discontinue 
     the use of "paper" form SEC00790.

******************************** Bottom of Data *******************************

The global administrator allocates the Global Notification File, enables Global Notification, and updates the messages in the Global Notification File. A global administrator can also grant authority to application administrators to update messages in the file.

Enabling Global Notification

Follow these steps to allocate a Global Notification File and enable Global Notification.

  1. Outside of ChangeMan ZMF, allocate a permanent Global Notification File as a partitioned or sequential data set. Use any of these file characteristics:

    • Data Set Organization: DSORG=PS or PO

    • Record Format: RECFM=FB, FBM, FBA, VB, VBM, or VBA

    • Logical Record Length: LRECL maximum 256

    It is recommended that you allocate a small sequential file with a fixed record length of 80 bytes. A single track of 3390 equivalent disk has room for over 600 lines of notification messages.

    If you allocate a PDS, ChangeMan ZMF reallocates the library if it ever runs out of extents or directory space. However, the trade-off is that a PDS accumulates unusable space and should be compressed periodically.

    Note

    If you allocate the Global Notification File as a PDS, create a member in the library with at least one (blank) record. When you specify the data set name in global administration parameters below, use the fully qualified PDS member name.

  2. In your security system, grant the SERNET instance userid UPDATE access to the file you allocated. (Grant ALTER access if you allocated a PDS so ChangeMan ZMF can reallocate this library.) Administrators and users do not need access granted in your security system because they access the file through ChangeMan ZMF.

  3. On the Update Global Administration Options menu (CMNGAMN1), select Option 1. The Global Parameters Part 1 of 8 panel (CMNGGP01) is displayed.

  4. Press Enter twice. The Global Parameters Part 3 of 8 panel (CMNGGP03) is displayed.

  5. On the Global Parameters Part 3 of 8 panel (CMNGGP03), enter information to define the Global Notification Facility.

  6. Select Use Global notification file.

  7. In the Allow Application Update To File field, type Y if you want application administrators to update the Global Notification File that is displayed to all ChangeMan ZMF users.

  8. In the Global Notification File field, type the data set name of the file you allocated.

  9. Press Enter continuously until you are returned to the Update Global Administration Options menu (CMNGAMN1).

When Global Notification is activated, option N Notify is displayed on the ChangeMan ZMF Primary Option Menu.

Creating Global Notification Messages

Follow these steps to create your first Global Notification message for ChangeMan ZMF users.

  1. On the Update Global Administration Options menu (CMNGAMN1), select Option N. An ISPF edit session opens for an empty ChangeMan ZMF temporary file.

  2. Using ISPF functions, insert lines to type new a new message that you want displayed to all ChangeMan ZMF users. Add new messages at the top of the file.

    ISREDDE2 CMNTP.A014D.#C5F20CE.#036F60D.OUTLIST Columns 00001 00072 Command ===> Scroll ===> CSR ****** ***************************** Top of Data ****************************** 000001 000002 APPLICATION ADMINISTRATION MESSAGE 000003 000004 APPLICATION ACTP 04/21/2018 000005 1. All baseline libraries will be compressed on Sunday night. 000006 2. Audit level has been changed from 3 to 4. 000007 000008 APPLICATION GENL 04/21/2018 000009 1. Department number is now required when creating a new package. 000010 You now must enter your Department Cost Center no. in this field. 000011 ****** **************************** Bottom of Data ****************************

  3. Press PF3 to exit the edit session. ChangeMan ZMF copies the temporary file back to the Global Notification File. Type Cancel to exit the edit session without saving your entries.

Updating the Global Notification Message

Follow these steps to update the Global Notification File with new messages for ChangeMan ZMF users.

  1. On the Update Global Administration Options menu (CMNGAMN1), select Option N. An ISPF edit session opens for a ChangeMan ZMF temporary file that contains the current contents of the Global Notification File.

    Note

    If the global administrator specified Y In the Allow Application Update To File field, you can access this function from the Application Administration Functions panel (CMNLAMEN).

    ISREDDE2     CMNTP.A006D.#CDF1833.#82469B8.OUTLIST     Columns 00001 00072
Command ===> ____________________________________________ Scroll ===> CSR
****** ************************** Top of Data ****************************
000100   Application ACTP April 30, 2018
000200   1. All baseline libraries will be compressed on Sunday night.
000300   2. Audit level has been changed from 3 to 4.
000400
000401   APPLICATION GENL 04/15/2018
000410
000500   1. Department number is now required when creating a new package
000600      Enter your Cost Center number in this field.
000700
****** ************************* Bottom of Data **************************

    ...

  2. Using ISPF functions, edit the temporary file to create the message that you want to display to ChangeMan ZMF users.

    ISREDDE2       CMNTP.A006D.#CDF1833.#82469B8.OUTLIST   Columns 00001 00072
Command ===> ____________________________________________ Scroll ===> CSR
****** ************************** Top of Data ****************************
000100 GLOBAL ADMINISTRATION MESSAGE April 22nd 2018
000101  1. New library types have been added to perform automatic JCL scans.
000102
000103  2. Security request forms have been added to Online Forms.
000104  Discontinue the use of "paper" form SEC00790.
000110
000120    Application ACTP April 30, 2018
000200    1. All baseline libraries will be compressed on Sunday
000300    2. Audit level has been changed from 3 to 4.
000400
000401    APPLICATION GENL April 15, 2016
000410
000500    1. Department number is now required when creating a new package
000600       Enter your Department Cost Center number in this field.
000700
****** ************************* Bottom of Data **************************

    ...

  3. Press PF3 to exit the edit session. ChangeMan ZMF copies the temporary file back to the Global Notification File. Type Cancel to exit the edit session without saving your entries.