Mainframe, MVS and zOS Discussion

Hello.

There isn't a way of listing the uncataloged datasets on the system because, well, they're uncatalogued. You need to know what volume the dataset you are looking for is on. Once you know that, you can use ISPF 3.4 to list the datasets on that specific volume. Use F10/F11 to cycle through the view types; there's one which will tell you which catalog each dataset is cataloged in (or not).

Thanks. Is there a way to check the volumes available for that mainframe?

There are several ways depending upon the software available on the system.

The one that's most likely to be available is ISMF (the Interactive Storage Management Facility). This comes with z/OS, it's just a matter of whether the sysprogs have made it accessible through the menus or not. Option 3.2 will let you list the volumes on the system.

If you've got access through SDSF to run operator commands and you know the address ranges for the DASD (which can be obtained through HCD), then the "D U" command can be used. It's a little more clumsy to use and might take multiple commands, but it'll get you a list of volumes.

IBM's File Manager option 3.5 is shown as "Work with VTOC", but you can get a list of volumes from it. Use option "V" on the command line, blank the dataset name and put an asterisk in the "Volume serial", "Unit", "Device type" and "SMS SG" fields and you should get a list of volumes.

As I recall, FileAid had the ability to list volumes as well. It's been a long time since I was at a site running it, but option 3.7 comes to mind.

There are other third party tools around that will do the job as well. If all else fails, there's also a tool called "SHOWDASD" at http://gsf-soft.com/Freeware/SHOWDASD.html. I've not used it, but it looks like it will do the job.