How do you manage multiple SMP/E zones for different environments?

1 What are SMP/E zones?

SMP/E zones are logical entities that store information about the software products that you install and maintain on your mainframe system. There are four types of SMP/E zones: global, target, distribution, and consolidation. Each zone has a specific function and scope, and they are related to each other in a hierarchical structure. You can use SMP/E commands and dialogs to create and manipulate zones.

3 How to configure SMP/E zones?

To configure SMP/E zones, you need to specify the data sets that each zone will use to store the software product information. These data sets include the zone data set (ZDS), the consolidated software inventory (CSI), the target library (TGT), and the distribution library (DLIB). You can use the SMP/E dialog ISPF option 2.2 to specify the data sets for each zone or copy them from another zone. You can also use the SMP/E command SET BDY to specify the data sets in batch mode.

4 How to use SMP/E zones?

To use SMP/E zones, you need to perform various SMP/E functions that install, update, or delete software products in your mainframe system. These functions include RECEIVE, APPLY, ACCEPT, REJECT, RESTORE, and DELETE. You can use the SMP/E dialog ISPF option 3 to perform these functions interactively or use the SMP/E command function name to perform them in batch mode. You can also use the SMP/E dialog ISPF option 4 to view the status and history of the SMP/E functions that you have performed.

5 How to manage multiple SMP/E zones?

To manage multiple SMP/E zones, you need to consider the following factors: the purpose, the scope, and the synchronization of the zones. The purpose of the zones determines what kind of software products and updates you want to install and test in each zone. For example, you may have separate zones for development, testing, production, and backup environments. The scope of the zones determines how many systems or LPARs share the same zone. For example, you may have global zones that span across multiple systems or LPARs, or local zones that are specific to one system or LPAR. The synchronization of the zones determines how you keep the zones consistent and up-to-date with each other. For example, you may use the SMP/E function COPY to copy software products and updates from one zone to another, or use the SMP/E function HOLDDATA to apply the same maintenance level to all zones.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?