Checking the level of connected CICS systems

To display the level of connected CICS systems, enter VERCICS on the command line of any panel. The current level for each connected CICS system is displayed in a window.

The VERCICS command queries the version, PTF, and level information of FM/CICS on the local and connected CICS regions. The retrieved information is then compared against the version, PTF, and level of the running File Manager batch job and the results are displayed. Any FM/CICS value that differs from the File Manager batch job is also highlighted.

Any difference in version, PTF, or level can cause a failure due to services not being available in the downlevel instances. A difference might be due to maintenance not being applied to the FM/CICS instance or the FM/CICS programs might not have been refreshed in the CICS region after maintenance was applied.

Figure 1. Window showing the level of connected CICS systems

  Process   Options   Help
 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 FM/CICS                      Primary Option Menu
┌──────────────────────────────── CICS Levels ────────────────────────────────┐
│                                                                             │
│ IBM File Manager for z/OS Version x Release x CICS Component                │
│                                                                             │
│ Current PTF: V8GAD4B     Level: 2                                           │
│                                                                             │
│    Connected FM/CICS Levels                                                 │
│    Sysid    Applid      Version    PTF        Level                         │
│             xxxxxxxx    xxxx       xxxxxxx        x                         │
│    xxxx     xxxxxxxx    xxxx       xxxxxxx        x                         │
│    xxxx     xxxxxxxx    xxxx       xxxxxxx        x                         │
│                                                                             │
│                                                                             │
│                                                                             │
│                                                                             │
│                                                                             │
│ Command ===>                                                   Scroll PAGE  │
│ F1=Help     F3=Exit     F4=CRetriev F7=Backward F8=Forward  F10=Actions     │
│ F12=Cancel                                                                  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
 F12=Cancel

In the above example, there are 2 connected CICS regions all at the same level. If the level or version are different, these values are highlighted in red. To avoid unforeseen errors, ensure that all connected systems are running the same level of File Manager.

If program FMN3LVL is not available on a connected system, the text "LOAD ERROR condition" is displayed. In this case, check that FMN3LVL can be loaded on the connected CICS region and retry the VERCICS command.