Downloading and restoring SOUL files

This page provides help for downloading SOUL files.

As of RKTools version 7.7 (mid-2017), all code for all Rocket-provided, SOUL-based products resides in the M204PROC file. This includes all the Dictionary/204 components (Subsysmgmt, Filemgmt, etc.), all the SQL support code, and all code for the former UL/SPF products like SirPro, SirMon and SirScan.

As of RKTools 7.7, the files SIRIUS, TSFPROC, CATPROC, and DICTDIST are no longer needed. There is no harm in leaving them online, but all supported code for V7.7 and higher is in M204PROC.

Older versions of the former UL/SPF product are still available on the download page in the SIRIUS file, but any site running Model 204 V7.6 or higher should use the version in M204PROC.

Because M204PROC holds considerably more code, it probably requires resizing: A minimum of 75 3390 cylinders is required (the equivalent of 9000 Model 204 pages).

Note: Many sites are accustomed to simply downloading a new SIRIUS file and installing it over the top of their old one in order to get updated code. But for the latest RKTools version a full installation must be performed at least once, because there are some new files, and because the application subsystem definitions need to be changed to point to the new procedure file.

To access the files to download, go to the Rocket website Rocket M204 Customer Care page, and click the "Download SOUL files" link to bring up the "SOUL files for Rocket Software" page.

What is RKTools?

Formerly known as UL/SPF, RKTools is a family of tools that enhance programmer-productivity and enable performance monitoring, sophisticated journal querying and other programmer, DBA and system administrator activities inside a Model 204 online. RKTools is implemented as a set of application subsystems (APSYs), written in SOUL. RKTools must be installed in each Online where its features are needed. Installation requires Rocket M204 SOUL code, some files that must be allocated locally, and the creation of the necessary APSYs.

As of Mid-2017, the file labeled "Model 204 V7.7" is the most up-to-date version. It is designed for use in Model&204 V7.7 but is backward compatible to V7.6.

How do I get the RKTools installation file?

SOUL code for the RKTools product is distributed in the form of a dump of the M204PROC file from the Rocket M204 support site. On most browsers a fly-out menu will provide options to Save Link As... or Save Target As... or something similar. After selecting a target directory, the file will download in binary format.

Alternatively, the left mouse button can be clicked on the link for a dump file. This will usually result in the browser prompting the user whether the file should be saved, where it should be saved and under what name. Download times depend on the speed of your connection.

Aternatively, the dump file can be e-mailed as an attachment by clicking on the e-mail link above. The attached binary should be saved to a local file and then uploaded to the mainframe exactly as if it had been downloaded directly. E-mail delivery can be useful if your firewall disallows web downloads.

How can the dump file be uploaded to the mainframe?

The M204PROC dump file must then be uploaded to your MVS, VM, or VSE system on your mainframe. Any file transfer mechanism can be used including FTP and IND$FILE, but regardless of the transfer mechanism some rules must be observed.

First, the dump files contain binary data, and so must be transferred as binary. That is, no translation from ASCII to EBCDIC must occur as a result of the upload.

Second, the format and LRECL of the file must be specified during the upload. This is because most workstation systems (including Windows, Mac OS, and Unix) do not have a concept of file formats and LRECLs. The format of the uploaded file must be F and the LRECL must be 6184. Under MVS and VSE the blocksize must be 6184.

When using FTP, the characteristics (RECFM, LRECL, and BLOCKSIZE) of the uploaded file can be set with the SITE and LOCSITE FTP commands. The SITE command should be used if the FTP client is on the workstation and the server is on the mainframe. In this case the SITE command might have to be sent as a "quote" to the mainframe. How this is done, depends on your workstation's FTP client.

The LOCSITE command should be used if the FTP client is on the mainframe and the server is on the workstation.

How can the uploaded files be installed on the mainframe?

Once the dump file is uploaded to your mainframe, use the standard Model 204 RESTORE command to restore the dump file to a Model 204 file with a DDNAME of M204PROC.

File Size: The M204PROC file must be allocated with at least 9000 Model 204 pages.

The rest of the installation process is described in on the RKTools installation page, including ancillary files that must be allocated.

Applying maintenance

To refresh your copy of any Rocket SOUL code, re-downloading and installing a new copy of the M204PROC file is all that is needed. The Download page shows the date/time the file was last updated, and an "info" link next to the file lets you view a list of all changes applied to that file (by project identifier). Rocket Support can verify which project(s) provide the updates you are looking for if the help text doesn't provide enough detail.