System Components and Execution › CA TLMS Major Features › Foreign Volume Processing

Foreign Volume Processing

Foreign volumes are defined as any that reside outside the volume serial number range of the Volume Master File, and for which no data set or volume serial number information was recorded (other than an event audit transaction). Volume serial numbers outside the range of the VMF are automatically processed as foreign volumes.

You will occasionally need to manage foreign volumes having volume serial numbers which are within a range defined in the Volume Master File for CA TLMS controlled tapes. You will need to direct CA TLMS to specifically ignore these volumes, that is, not to update the duplicate volume serial number in the Volume Master File.

To force CA TLMS processing as a foreign tape volume, specify one of the following on the DD statement for the data set

• LABEL=EXPDT=98000
• SPACE=(1,(1,1))

When foreign volume processing is selected through the use of JCL keywords, any data set may be read for input after passing system security requirements. The same process applies to output; however, a WTOR is issued to confirm or deny the write, providing an additional level of file protection. The CMSG option can be used to suppress the message and bypass operator intervention, if desired.

Two system options in member TLMSIPO of CAI.CTAPOPTN, FORSPEC and FORSEC, can be used to extend the control for foreign volumes and bypass volume functions. FORSPEC determines whether a foreign volume can be written on a specific volume request (requires VOL=SER= in JCL), or used for nonspecific (scratch) requests. FORSEC determines whether security checking is activated for foreign volume processing in JCL (LABEL=EXPDT=98000) when the security option SECURE is set to YES. When CA TLMS security is activated, access to foreign volumes can be controlled by defining FORRES (volume within VMF range) and FORNORES (volume outside VMF range) to the operating system security component.

The data set information will be printed on an external gummed label for an output data set, but it is not recorded in the Volume Master File. CA TLMS logs the transaction to the ALOG or SMF. You can receive both a summary and a detailed report of foreign tape activity by requesting report TLERPT19, System Activity Analysis. (See the "Reports" chapter in the User Guide.)