We are downloading a large VSAM dataset and then trying to convert it to the Micro Focus VSAM format, but we get error 9/194 during the download and RC=24 on an OPEN if we use a COBOL program. Also, the conversion took a long time.

When downloading a large file to be converted to VSAM, be sure to set the environmental SET MFA_INDEX_FORMAT=IDXFORMAT(8) so Mainframe Access (MFA) knows to use a large file format. Once the file has been downloaded it is much faster to use a command line such as the following to do the conversion rather than using the gui.  Run dfconv profilename input output and be sure to use an Extfh.Cfg file with:
   [XFH-DEFAULT] 
   filemaxsize=8 
   idxformat=8 
   filepointersize=8