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directory is so important for z/VM, a corrupt or invalid online user directory can
be disastrous. For example, if you inadvertently overlap minidisk definitions, it
could cause serious data loss. If your z/VM system has more than a handful of
virtual machines, it makes little sense to manage users manually. You need an
automated facility.
The Directory Maintenance Facility for z/VM (often called DirMaint) is just such
an automated facility. DirMaint is a CMS application that helps you manage your
z/VM user directory through a simplified command interface and automated
facilities. DirMaint commands, which are like their corresponding directory
statements, initiate user directory transactions. DirMaint error checking ensures
that only valid changes are made to the user directory, and that only authorized
personnel are able to make the requested changes. Any transaction requiring the
allocation or deallocation of minidisk extents can be handled automatically. You
can control all user-initiated transactions through passwords and record
transactions for auditing purposes.
When you activate DirMaint, you give control over the user directory to the
DIRMAINT service virtual machine. The source USER DIRECT file on the MAINT
virtual machine's 2CC disk is no longer valid and you must not use the
DIRECTXA command. DirMaint maintains and updates the online user directory.
You interact with the DIRMAINT service machine through commands to make
changes to the user directory.
A handy DirMaint function for virtual machines is the capability to define template
(or prototype) directory entries. With this function, you can clone a virtual machine
with a few commands by instructing DirMaint to create a new virtual machine like
the prototype entry and to replicate the prototype's disks. For more information
about using templates for cloning virtual machines, see Chapter 8, "Cloning Linux
virtual servers," on page 83.
DirMaint also has a service virtual machine called DATAMOVE. The service
machine moves the contents of CMS-formatted minidisks from one disk to another,
then erases the contents of the CMS minidisks being deleted. Because these
functions are time consuming, the functions are offloaded from the DIRMAINT
service machine to the DATAMOVE service machine, making DIRMAINT available
to process commands.
Directory Maintenance Facility is preinstalled on your system in a disabled state.
To use DirMaint, you must first pay a license fee, then enable the feature and
configure it. Table 4 gives you an overview of the tasks involved for enabling and
configuring DirMaint.
Table 4. Task roadmap for enabling and configuring DirMaint
Subtask
Enabling the Directory Maintenance
Facility
Associated instructions (see . . . )
"Steps for enabling DirMaint" on page 51
Chapter 2. Planning for Linux virtual servers
33
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