Previous Topic: Tape Utility


ACFERASE - Protecting Tape Volumes from Reuse

ACFERASE utilityThe ACFERASE utility erases all data on a tape, protecting tape volumes from reuse and unauthorized data access. It is a standalone utility that executes in the CMS transient area and uses CMS tape macros.

Normally, an exec or program calls ACFERASE. This lets a validation exec easily record and eases customization (you can use an input file to specify the tapes to erase).

ACFERASE follows these steps when erasing the data on a tape volume:

  1. Optionally writing a volume serial label (volser) at the beginning of the tape. This volser is usually identical to the ID label on the tape's cover.
  2. Writes large blocks of zero records (hexadecimal zeros) until it senses the end of the tape, erasing the tape.
  3. Writes two tape marks to mark the End-Of-Tape.
  4. Rewinds the tape.
  5. Unloads the tape unless otherwise specified.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for running this utility. Give the authority to use this utility only to the person responsible for the protection of tape volumes (normally the system operator).

Running ACFERASE

ACFERASE utilityThe syntax for running ACFERASE is:


             [ tape ][ QUERY        ]
ACFERASE     [ 181  ][ VOLSER volser]  [ ( [STACK] [VERIFY] [REWIND]
                     [ LABEL        ]
                     [ NL           ]
tape

Indicates the virtual device address where the tape is mounted. Valid addresses are 181, 182, 183, and 184. You can enter the labels TAP1, TAP2, TAP3, and TAP4 to represent 181 through 184 respectively. The default is 181.

QUERY

Lets an exec or user obtain label information from a tape before deciding whether to erase it. A message indicates the volser of the tape if the tape has a label or tells you the tape does not have a label. It rewinds the tape, but does not unload it. QUERY is the default.

volser

Identifies a standard OS VOL1 label and dummy HDR1 label that is written to tape before erasing the tape. Normally, this value is identical to the identification label on the tape's cover.

LABEL volser

Has the same definition as volser above. The prefix LABEL permits specification of volsers that are the same as keywords operands. For example, LABEL NL writes the label NL to tape without mistaking it for the keyword operand of the same name.ACFERASE utility

NL

Indicates no label is written on the tape.

STACK

Stacks all messages in first in-first out (FIFO) order. This is useful when an exec or program calls ACFERASE. An asterisk (*) precedes the stacked line.

VERIFY

Checks that the specified tape volume matches the actual volser label. If they match, it erases the tape. If they do not match, the operation fails and the tape is rewound, but not unloaded. Ignores VERIFY if QUERY is in effect.

REWIND

Indicates if a tape is successfully erased. It is rewound, but not unloaded.

Messages

ACFERASE utilityACFERASE messages are normally displayed on your terminal. If you specified the STACK option, ACFERASE enters the messages in the program stack.

Possible messages, their return codes, and descriptions follow.

ACFpgm528E <parm> is an invalid <fx> parameter

You entered an invalid filename, filetype, or filemode.

ACFpgmE50I Tape is <volser>

This message is in response to QUERY. The mounted tape has standard labels with this volume serial ID. The tape is rewound, but not unloaded.

ACFpgmE51E Tape is unlabeled

ACFERASE issues this message in response to QUERY. The mounted tape is unlabeled. It is rewound, but not unloaded.

ACFpgmE52I Tape is <volser> - tape is erased

Erased, rewound, and unloaded the tape with the specified volume serial. (Return code 0)

ACFpgmE53I Tape is unlabeled - tape is erased

The tape does not have a label and was erased, rewound, and unloaded unless you specified REWIND. (Return code 0)

ACFpgmE54E Tape is <volser> - verify NL failed ACFERASE utility

The NL (no label) specification did not match because the tape has a label. Rewinds the tape, but does not unload it. (Return code 12)

ACFpgmE55E Tape is <volser> - verify label failed

The specified volume serial did not match what exists on the tape. The erase option aborted. Rewinds the tape, but does not unload it. (Return code 4, if tape has a label, or 8, if tape is unlabeled)

ACFpgmE56E Device is not attached

You did not define the virtual device address of the tape drive requested through the tape operand. Erase operation cannot begin. (Return code 105)

ACFpgmE57E Device is not a tape drive

You defined the virtual device address of the tape drive requested through the tape operand, but not as a tape drive. The erase operation cannot begin. (Return code 107)

ACFpgmE58E Tape is <volser> - tape is file protected

The tape with the specified volume serial was mounted without a required write ring. The erase operation is aborted and the tape is left at the position where the error occurred. (Return code 106)ACFERASE utility

ACFpgmE59E Tape is unlabeled - tape is file protected

The unlabeled tape was mounted without a required write ring. The erase operation is aborted and the tape is left at the position where the error occurred. (Return code 106)

ACFpgmE5AE Tape is <volser> - unexpected tape I/O error

The tape with the specified volume serial encountered an error due to an internal program error. The erase operation cannot begin or was aborted. (Return code 1nn - nn is the error code from a RDTAPE, WRTAPE, or TAPECTL CMS macro.)

ACFpgmE5BE Tape is unlabeled - unexpected tape I/O error

The unlabeled tape encountered an error due to an internal program error. The erase operation cannot begin or was aborted. (Return code 1nn - nn is the error code from a RDTAPE, WRTAPE, or TAPECTL CMS macro.)

ACFpgmE5CE Tape is <volser> - unexpected end of tape writing labels

The tape with the specified volume serial encountered an error due to an end-of-tape mark not far enough from the start of the tape to hold the label. The erase operation is aborted and the tape is left at the position where the error occurred. (Return code 102)ACFERASE utility

ACFpgmE5DE Tape is unlabeled - unexpected end of tape writing labels

The unlabeled tape encountered an error due to an end-of-tape mark not far enough from the start of the tape to hold the label. The erase operation is aborted and the tape is left at the position where the error occurred. (Return code 102)

ACFpgmE5EE Tape is <volser> - permanent tape I/O error

The tape with the specified volume serial is physically damaged. The erase operation is aborted and the tape is left at the position where the error occurred. (Return code 103)

ACFpgmE5FE Tape is unlabeled - permanent tape I/O error

The unlabeled tape is physically damaged. The erase operation is aborted and the tape is left at the position where the error occurred. (Return code 103)

For additional information about these and other messages, see the Message Guide.