FTTRACE command

The FTTRACE command writes the converted trace to SYSPRINT, which is normally directed to the TSO console.
To write the converted trace to a file, the file must first be allocated, e.g.:

• FREE DDNAME(SYSPRINT)

• ALLOC DSNAME(TEST.TRACOUT) DDNAME(SYSPRINT) NEW CATALOG

• FTTRACE STD.S3141220.S44944.P3473434.FTTF

• FREE DDNAME(SYSPRINT)

• ALLOC DSNAME(*) DDNAME(SYSPRINT)

For large traces, sufficient storage space must be provided in the ALLOC command using the SPACE parameter.

Format

The FTTRACE command was originally implemented on the open platforms and then ported to z/OS.

fttrace -h |

[ -d ]
[ -sl=n | -sl=l | -sl=m | -sl=h ]
[ -cxid=<context id> ]
[ -f=hh:mm:ss ]
[ -t=hh:mm:ss ]
<trace files>

Description

-h

Outputs the command syntax on screen. Any specifications after -h are ignored.

-d

Specifies that the trace files are to be output in hexadecimal format (dump format).

If you do not specify -d then the files are output in printable form, default value.

CAUTION!

In dump format, data which is relevant to security is also output in unencrypted form. Specifying a security level (-sl) is meaningless here.

-sl=n | -sl=l | -sl=m | -sl=h

Specifies the security level for the output.

n (no)

No security requirements, i.e. all data is output including IDs, transfer admissions, passwords, file names etc.

l (low)

Passwords are overwritten with XXX.

m (medium)

Passwords, user IDs, transfer admissions, account numbers, and follow-up processing commands are overwritten with XXX, default value.

h (high)

Passwords, user IDs, transfer admissions, account numbers, follow-up processing commands and file names are overwritten with XXX, default value.

-cxid=context id

Selects the trace entries on the basis of the context ID. This is made up as follows: the first character is the slot pool ID and the second to fourth characters are the ID of the slot. If you omit -cxid or specify -cxid= without a context ID then trace entries are output for all context IDs.

-f=hh:mm:ss

(from) Specifies the time as of which trace entries in the trace file are to be evaluated. You enter the time in the format hours:minutes:seconds (2 digits each).

If you do not specify a start time then trace entries are output from the start of the file.

-t=hh:mm:ss

(to) Specifies the time up to which trace entries in the trace file are to be evaluated. You enter the time in the format hours:minutes:seconds (2 digits each).

If you do not specify an end time then trace entries are output up to the end of the file.

trace files

Name(s) of the trace file(s) that you want to evaluate. You can specify multiple trace files and wildcards can be used.

Example

As an FT administrator, you want to create a trace file and then convert the data contained in this file into a readable form. You must take the following steps:

• switch on the trace function (in administration mode),

• switch off the trace function (in administration mode),

• convert the trace data into a readable form (in TSO command mode).

The commands you must enter are shown below:

READY
ftmodopt trace=*on
READY
.
   .                           (period during which the trace data
   .                            is being logged)
   .
READY
ftmodopt trace=*off
READY
fttrace std.S4051730.S13145.P1234567.FTTF
   (Trace data is output to screen)
READY

By default, FTTRACE outputs the data to the TSO console. If the data is to be output to file, you must allocate SYSPRINT accordingly before FTTRACE is called.