ABCs of z/OS System Programming Volume 3 - IBM Redbooks

2.19 Initializing a volume using ICKDSF
Figure 2-19 Initializing a volume
Device Support Facilities (ICKDSF)
ICKDSF is a program you can use to perform functions needed for the initialization,
installation, use, and maintenance of DASD volumes. You can also use it to perform service
functions, error detection, and media maintenance. However, due to the virtualization of the
volumes there is no need for executing media maintenance.
Initializing a DASD volume
After you have completed the installation of a device, you must initialize and format the
volume so that it can be used by MVS.
You use the INIT command to initialize volumes. The INIT command writes a volume label (on
cylinder 0, track 0) and a VTOC on the device for use by MVS. It reserves and formats tracks
for the VTOC at the location specified by the user and for the number of tracks specified. If no
location is specified, tracks are reserved at the default location.
If the volume is SMS-managed, the STORAGEGROUP option must be declared, in order to
keep such information (SMS managed) in a format-4 DSCB.
Initializing a volume for the first time in offline mode
In the example in Figure 2-19, a volume is initialized at the minimal level because neither the
CHECK nor VALIDATE parameter is specified (as recommended). Because the volume is
being initialized for the first time, it must be mounted offline (to avoid MVS data set
allocations), and the volume serial number must be specified. Because the VTOC parameter
50 ABCs of z/OS System Programming Volume 3
//EXAMPLE JOB
//EXEC PGM=ICKDSF
//SYSPRINT DD SYSOUT=A
//SYSIN DD *
INIT UNITADDRESS(0353) NOVERIFY -
VOLID(VOL123)
/*