Co:Z Dataset Pipes are utilities that convert datasets to/from files. These commands may be used locally or over an ssh connection.
The Co:Z Launcher is a batch utility which remotely launches a process on a distributed system, redirecting input and output from that process to traditional z/OS datasets or spool files. Remote processes are securely launched using proven SSH (Secure Shell) technology to the target platform, which may be Linux, Windows, or other Unix/POSIX environments.
Co:Z Dataset Pipes can be used in one of three modes:
A z/OS unix process accesses local MVS datasets
The Dataset Pipes for z/OS commands, fromdsn and todsn allow for flexible conversion of record oriented MVS datasets to byte-stream unix pipes.
A z/OS jobstep launches a remote process on a target system
The Co:Z Launcher starts a shell process on a distributed system, redirecting its input and output to traditional z/OS datasets or spool files.
The Dataset Pipes client commands can be used by the remote process to reach back into the launching jobstep to access MVS datasets.
The target may be another z/OS system with Co:Z installed.
A remote client initiates a connection to z/OS
A Unix, Windows or remote z/OS system can use the Dataset Pipes client commands to initiate an SSH connection to a z/OS server. In this mode, the Dataset Pipes SSH server subsystem (dspipes) is used to access MVS Datasets, much like the SSH sftp-server subsystem is used to access HFS/zFS files.
Features:
Pipe input to an MVS dataset (todsn)
Pipe output from an MVS dataset (fromdsn)
Remote execution over an SSH connection
Supports any MVS dataset which can be opened in sequential, record mode by the
fopen()C-library routine. This includes:MVS sequential datasets (QSAM, BSAM)
PDS and PDSE members
VSAM files (processed in sequential mode)
SYSOUT datasets, including the MVS internal reader
Supports text or binary conversion via flexible line-termination rules:
Cr, Lf/Newline, CrLf, Cr and/or Lf, RDW, none, user-defined-string
Supports flexible record padding / overflow rules:
wrap, flow, truncate, error
Codepage translation via high-performance z/OS conversion services
Can specify additional
fopen()options and dynamic allocation keywordskeywords supported by BPXWDYN can be used to customize dataset allocation
allows for SYSOUT, writers or MVS internal reader
User and/or system profile can be used to automatically supply conversion options based dataset name matching.
Securely launch and control remote processes (programs, scripts, etc.) from a z/OS batch job step or started task.
Redirect input and output of remote process to DDs in the launching job step.
Target process exit code is captured as job step condition code.
Co:Z Launcher job step acts as a server for z/OS dataset I/O.
z/OS console commands can be used to monitor, control, and send input to remote process.
Existing z/OS scheduling and automation facilities can be used to schedule, monitor, and control processes on all servers on the network.
Dataset Pipes client commands may be used in the target process to reach back and access datasets in the launching jobstep. These commands provide flexible conversion of z/OS datasets to streams for use in target applications. Options allow for control of line rules, translation, padding/truncation, dataset allocation and DCB processing.
SAF/RACF Digital Certificates may be used for client authentication.