System Installation Choices › Catalog Display

Catalog Display

The z/OS system catalog stores unit and volume information about data sets. A data center is not required to use the system catalog. The system does not consult the system catalog when the JCL provides unit and volume information.

The catalog system has a tree structure. The master catalog is at the top of the tree. It is always an integrated catalog facility (ICF) catalog. z/OS systems use these types of catalogs:

• An ICF master catalog (MCAT)
• Optional ICF user catalogs (UCATs)

All VSAM files must be cataloged in the MCAT or a UCAT. Non-VSAM files can be cataloged in an MCAT or UCAT.

Because most of the z/OS system libraries are cataloged, it is important to guard catalogs against unauthorized updates. It is also possible to specify one set of catalog pointers during IPL and then change the pointers after the IPL. Although z/OS continues to use the original catalog pointer, an in-depth manual review could be misleading.

CA Auditor obtains system catalog information directly from z/OS storage. Therefore, you see the catalogs that are currently active on the system.

To analyse the catalog display

1. From the Primary Menu, select option 2.

   The System Installation Choices screen is displayed.

2. Select option 4.

   The Key z/OS Libraries submenu is displayed.

3. Select option 6.

   The z/OS Catalog screen displays the name of each system catalog, the DASD volume where the catalog resides, the type of catalog (MCAT, or UCAT) it is, and the organization of the catalog.

   To interrupt this function, press PA1.