Methods of managing SMF data sets

Cyclic file definitions support several methods of managing SMF data sets. Select one (or more) of the following methods that best suits your environment:

GDG SMF files
Generation Data Group data sets span a regular interval: for example, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and fixed (number of days) cycles. Define GDG cyclic files by specifying the GDG base name. CICSĀ® PA will use this definition when one or more of the generations cover the required reporting period.
SMF files with symbolic date variables
SMF files with symbolic date variables have data set names that change according to the date they were created. For example, CICSPROD.D&YY&MM&DD..SMF defines an SMF file that is created daily to contain today's SMF data. In this case, CICSPROD.D060331.SMF contains data for March 31, 2006.
SMF files with fixed data set names
SMF files with fixed data set names cover a period of time determined by the interval that you specify. For example, CICSPROD.JULY.SMF contains SMF data for the month of July.
Ad hoc SMF files
Ad hoc SMF files have fixed data set names, cover an undetermined period of time (an origin value of NONE), and are used for every report request regardless of the requested reporting period. For example, CICSPROD.SMF has SMF data that covers a recent time period that you want to use for every report request. Ad hoc SMF files are selected in the same way as SMF files defined in personal system definitions; that is, they are always selected if not excluded. Ad hoc SMF files cannot be specified with other cyclic SMF file types as they are incompatible.