Multisystem Deployment › Create Generic Initialization File and RUNSYSIN Member for Multiple Regions › Region Initialization File

Region Initialization File

Region customization parameters are stored in a virtual file system (VFS) data set, which is a virtual storage access method (VSAM) data set. The data set is not easy to update outside of WebCenter. However, a RUNSYSIN member can point to an initialization file member in TESTEXEC by using the INIFILE parameter.

An initialization file is a procedure that contains the parameter information.

With an initialization file, the region gets the parameter information from the file at startup and the region updates the VFS data set. Because the region uses the initialization file each time it starts up, any changes you make manually using the /PARMS panel shortcut are not retained. To keep the changes, regenerate the file using the /CUSTOM.G panel path.

Even if you do not use the file for startup, you can use it as a backup of the parameters in the VFS data set. Generate it before updating the parameters using /PARMS.

The initialization file is useful during the deployment to other systems because it is relatively simple to update for different systems. By using product variables and system symbols, the file can be made generic enough for all the regions you plan to deploy.