Catalog Basics: Part 9 - SMF Forward Recovery
By Blair Svihra, Dino-Software (10-minute read) *Restricted Member Content* When ICF catalogs were first introduced in the early 1980’s, Integrated Catalog Facility Recovery Unit (ICFRU) was IBM’s recommended tool to recover a damaged catalog. An Access Method Services EXPORT of the broken catalog was required as the starting point for the recovery. Snapshots of catalog records, in the form of SMF records, are applied to the EXPORT to “up-level” the catalog to create a new “recovered” EXPORT copy. ICFRU provides no support for the recovery of a VVDS.This whitepaper discusses the use of SMF data for Integrated Catalog Facility (ICF) catalog recovery and its complexities. Read More
Introduction to Concurrent Copy -
By Jim Ratliff, Dino-Software (12-minute read) Concurrent Copy is the IBM solution that allows data to be copied or dumped while it is still active. To utilize Concurrent Copy (CC), you must have the feature activated on the Control Unit that contains your data. Concurrent Copy may be used for Backup, Copy or Dump operations from either DFSMShsm (DFHSM), DFSMSdss (DFDSS), or both. Data may be identified by individual dataset name or volume serial number. In either case, once the data is identified, Concurrent Copy will process the data by protecting and copying tracks. This means if a dataset has a single 80-byte record on a given track, the entire track is identified and processed. There is no record level processing in Concurrent Copy. There are many references in the IBM DFSMS publications identifying how to use CC; therefore, this paper gives an overview of the resources being utilized so the user gains a better understanding of why CC is more complex than often realized. After reading and understanding this information, you should be able to define your Concurrent Copy data and initiate Concurrent Copy with a higher success rate than you may have obtained in the past. Read More
Realities & Limitations of z/OS SRM Tools - Part 1
By Dino-Software (10-minute read) *Restricted Member Content* Management of data on z/OS Systems is complex. A handful of software programs are available, but are they really a “tool?” Do they simplify or complicate? Do they contribute to savings or drive up cost of operations? Often, more time, money, and resources are spent on installation, configuration, customization, training, and the subsequent cumbersome maintenance of the altered product; this ultimately adds up to the overall cost outweighing the intended benefit.This article is Part 1 in a series which explores what your storage team needs to know about z/OS Storage Resource Management (SRM) solutions. Read More
ETJ First Impression: UDM 2.3
Universal Data Manager (UDM) 2.3 Further Advances Dino-Software's Unique Solution By Denny Yost, ETJ Magazine (5-minute read) Data continues to grow at a rapid pace, filling storage space almost as fast as it is made available. Yet, the management of the tape robots, tape catalogs, DFSMSHSM, ICF catalogs, DASD volumes and more has not been greatly simplified. In many cases, the challenge of managing the vast quantity of data and storage devices has only increased in complexity. In addition, experienced storage management personnel continue to retire, leaving the less experienced to master the juggling of a menagerie of management tools, hardware, folders, files and data.... Read More
ETJ First Impression: T-REX V7.2
T-REX V7.2 From Dino-Software Further Aids Catalog Management By Denny Yost, ETJ Magazine (5-minute read) Chances are good that when it comes to working with VSAM files or catalogs you have been there, done that and don't have find memories of the experience. For example, do you cringe anytime someone mentions the need to mend a VSAM broken index that occurred in the middle of the night or having to use IBM's Access Method Services (IDCAMS) utility for just about anything? Or what about untimely processing failures because you weren't aware that a BCS had reached the maximum number of allowable extents? It would be easy to mention many other VSAM and catalog management... Read More
The Need for Erase. Is There an Exposure?
By Bill Wilkie, Dino-Software (5-minute read)
An interesting scenario challenging the security of temporary data sets and sort work areas was brought to our attention, so we are conducting some market research on the subject and request readers to weigh in with their opinions.... Read More . . .
VELOCI-Raptor Release 5.1 - Enabling Applications to Perform at Their Peak
By Denny Yost, ETJ Magazine (5-minute read)
With a significant percent of Fortune 500 size organization’s running on mainframe systems, their value and importance are critical to the continued success of the enterprise. Yet, running these applications in the most efficient manner possible to speed execution time and minimize resource usage continues to be challenging if the proper steps are not taken. A key area of focus is always determining and setting the best buffering environment for an application when accessing VSAM and non-VSAM data. Read more . . .
Managing HSM
Proactively Controlling the Swarm
By Jeremy Schilke, Dino-Software (4-minute read)
Perhaps the “per byte” price of storage has dropped, but due to the sheer rate and volume by which data is produced and retained, the reality is that the overall effort and cost has not lessened. Furthermore, collecting, organizing, protecting and then ensuring accessibility... Read More . . .
