SUMMARY:   Suitable for the BCS Mainframe Technology professional Exams for level 1 Assistant (Production and Support) and level 2 Developer AUDIENCE:   This course is designed for those z/OS technicians who require a greater understanding of VSAM within their z/OS installation. This will allow them to analyse their use of VSAM with the aim of improving performance and reliability and reducing errors. PREREQUISITES:   Delegates should have at least a basic knowledge of TSO/ISPF and JCL. An appreciation of VSAM, IDCAMS and general buffering would be helpful. DURATION:   3 days. Hands on. OBJECTIVES:   This course will allow delegates to: Understand the types of VSAM data sets, Be able to create and control VSAM data sets with IDCAMS utility, Understand the factors which affect performance and apply to advantage, Interpret information in the LISTCAT reports, Apply the newer facilities available with EF VSAM data sets The course is based on z/OS Version 1 Release 7. COURSE CONTENT:   General I/O I/O Processing and Buffering DASD Track Layout The effect of RAID Technology on performance analysis VSAM Overview Control Intervals and Control Areas CIDFs and RDFs ESDS and KSDS The Catalog The Master Catalog and User Catalogs The ALIAS and Multi-level Alias facility The Catalog Search Sequence BCS and VVDS Sharing Catalogs and ECS Creating VSAM Data Sets VSAM Terminology Defining Clusters CISIZE and FREESPACE Creating AIX and PATH Using the DELETE statement Recommendation and What to Avoid Listing Catalog Information Understanding the LISTCAT output VSAM Buffering Techniques Serialisation The SHAREOPTIONS parameter NSR, LSR, GSR and RLS Buffering options Recommendations VSAM Recent Changes Extended Format VSAM Data Sets Extended Addressability Data Striping System Managed Buffering Data Compression Partial Release Recommendations Special Notes:        On-site courses may be enhanced by the following:    Access to LISTCAT listings of live VSAM data sets and production JCL,    Access to ISMF for the Data Class constructs,    Access to DATACLASs which request EF and associated VSAM facilities. mh06/01