VMARC Files

VMARC files are archives that contain CMS files. These files can be transferred from host to host using FTP or http (web), as long as the files are transferred in binary mode at each stage. Ultimately the VMARC files that are to be unpacked need to be transferred to a z/VM minidisk, such as the MAINT 191 (A) minidisk, which will be used for the sake of illustration.

Obtaining the VMARC program:

Step 1 - Obtain the vmarc.module file from the IBM VM Downloads page at http://www.vm.ibm.com/download/. It can also be downloaded here.

Step 2 - Upload the vmarc.module file to the MAINT 191 minidisk with FTP in binary mode.

Step 3 - Make the file executable using the following command:

        PIPE < VMARC MODULE A | deblock cms | > VMARC MODULE A

VMARC is now ready to be run.  The above steps do not need to be run again.

Unpacking VMARC files:

Step 1 - Transfer the VMARC file to the MAINT 191 disk using FTP or IND$FILE transfer. Transfer in binary mode.

Step 2 - Reformat the file to prepare it for processing by VMARC using the following command. Substitute "ABC" for whatever the name is of the VMARC file being processed:

        PIPE < ABC VMARC A | fblock 80 00 | > ABC VMARC A F 80

Step 3 - Unpack the file using the following command:

        VMARC UNPK ABC VMARC A = = A

To list the contents of a VMARC file and to confirm that the file is intact, use the command:

        VMARC LIST ABC VMARC A