Basics of z/OS RACF Administration

This course begins with an introduction to the z/OS environment, TSO and ISPF/PDF, batch processing, and z/OS data sets. Hands-on labs allow you to gain experience with viewing and allocating data sets, submitting a batch job, and viewing job output. After the introduction to z/OS, you will then learn, through lecture and exercises, how to use basic RACF command parameters and panels to define users and groups, protect general resources, z/OS data sets, and choose a basic set of RACF options.

• List and describe the basic features and concepts of zSeries architecture and of the z/OS operating system as they relate to security administration
• Describe the allocation process for data sets in the z/OS environment
• Identify the security requirements of a system
• Use the basic facilities and features of RACF
• Define users to RACF
• Set up an RACF group structure
• Use RACF to protect resources
• Select a base set of options to tailor RACF

This basic course is for those who are new to z/OS and the RACF and responsible for security administration using the RACF element of the z/OS Security Server. Those who need to implement some of the more advanced features of the RACF might want to attend one or more of the following courses:

• Effective RACF Administration (BE87G)
• Implementing RACF Security for CICS (ES84G)
• Exploiting the Advanced Features of RACF (ES88G)

You should have:

• Some familiarity with z/OS system facilities (beneficial).

Background material needed to proceed is presented the first day.

Day 1

• Welcome
• Unit 1: Review of z/Architecture and z/OS
• Unit 2: An introduction to ISPF and ISPF/PDF
• Exercise 1: Logging on to the lab system
• Unit 3: An introduction to z/OS data sets
• Exercise 2: Working with z/OS data sets
• Unit 4: Batch processing
• Exercise 3: Job submit and SDSF view Exercise review
• Unit 5: Security and RACF overview (part 1)

Day 2

• Unit 5: Security and RACF overview (part 2)
• Unit 6: Administering groups and users (section 6.1)
• Exercise 4 (including review): Defining an RACF group structure
• Unit 6: Administering groups and users (section 6.2)
• Exercise 5: User administration Exercise review

Day 3

• Unit 6: Administering groups and users (section 6.3)
• Exercise 6: Delegating security administration Exercise review
• Unit 7: Protecting z/OS data sets (to section 7.3)
• Exercise 7: Protecting z/OS data sets: Part 1 Exercise review

Day 4

• Unit 7: Protecting z/OS data sets (continued)
• Exercise 8: Protecting z/OS data sets: Part 2 Exercise review
• Unit 8: Introduction to general resources
• Exercise 9: Using RACF for TSO administration

Day 5

• Exercise review
• Unit 9: RACF options
• Unit 10: Other administrative facilities and features