Jobtrac failing to find TRACMDS library

Products

• Jobtrac

Issue/Introduction

Jobtrac is no longer finding the TRACMDS dataset while Jobtrac is up and running jobs. Receiving message TRACWARN - DD TRACMDS RC=0004.

Environment

Product: Jobtrac

Resolution

Because TRACMDS is automatically allocated during the initial STAGE2 installation process, the standard best practice is to leave it allocated, even if it remains completely empty. A standard partitioned dataset with a small block size takes up a trivial amount of DASD space but keeps your installation standard, prevents JCL errors, and avoids unexpected initialization warnings. 

TRACMDS dataset needs to be a Partitioned Data Set (PDS) with LRECL=80.

The Jobtrac Stage2 job from the install creates JCL to allocate like this for example:

//TRACMDS  DD  DSN=hlq.TRACMDS,                    

//            UNIT=SYSDA,VOL=SER=xxxxxx,            

//            SPACE=(CYL,(1,1,46)),              

//            DISP=(,CATLG,DELETE),                

//            DCB=(RECFM=FB,LRECL=80,BLKSIZE=6080)