CTSDEU Utility—Erase Data

Use the CTSDEU Data Erase batch utility to erase residual data from a tape's prior use following one or more valid files.

The CTSDEU utility writes pattern data to the end of the tape which prevents any previous data from being recovered and ensures that no confidential data is accidentally transmitted. The new tape media types include servo tracks that are used for error correction and integrity purposes and on some models may also include metadata about the files on the volume. These new media types cannot be erased using the bulk degauss process therefore, the CTSDEU provides the ability to erase only the data on the volume without destroying the servo tracks.

The CTSDEU utility is only invoked in batch. Use this utility to:

Execute the batch JCL in a standalone job, referencing the volume to be erased or
Include a step in a production job stream to routinely perform a data erase on a tape that is created in a preceding step.

When a multivolume data set is being secured, normally only the last volume needs to be secured because the other volumes in the set are full of data. The ALL parameter is provided to request that all volumes in the multivolume set be mounted and a security erase performed. This is normally only necessary if the program that created the tape issues a Force End of Volume command to stop writing on a volume and to cause a new volume to be mounted.

This utility identifies virtual tape volumes and rejects the request to perform an ERASE action on them. If you are trying to perform a full volume ERASE on a 3590-H the ERASE function may take more than 40 minutes, a 3592-JA may take as much as 1.5 hours. If the wait-time timeout value is less than this for the job, a S522 abend will occur.