Scratch Pools › Support for RMS Scratch Categories

Support for RMS Scratch Categories

To provide a method for selecting SCRATCH tapes in an IBM 3494 that is more consistent with other operating systems, we have introduced support for mounting tapes using RMS SCRATCH Categories. Instead of CA VM:Tape requesting a specific SCRATCH tape to be mounted, CA VM:Tape will send a mount request asking the IBM 3494 to mount an available tape, from the specified RMS SCRATCH Category and RMS Library Name (LOCATION).

CA VM:Tape also includes the TARGETCAT VOLSPECIFIC option on each mount request to prevent any other systems from selecting the same tape. After the IBM 3494 selects and mounts the SCRATCH tape, VM:Tape processes the selected tape as if a human operator had mounted it. CA VM:Tape reads the tape internal volser, then validates its status in the TMC, performs security checks as necessary, and confirms the tape is from the correct CA VM:Tape Scratch Pool. If the tape is found not acceptable for use, it is rejected. If the tape is rejected, the mount request is redriven to the IBM 3494 to select the next available tape from the specified RMS SCRATCH Category.

The following steps are necessary to implement the support for mounting IBM 3494 tapes by RMS SCRATCH Category:

1. Each CA VM:Tape Scratch Pool for which you want to implement the support must be the name of a valid RMS SCRATCH Category. The CA VM:Tape Scratch Pool name is what is used to specify the RMS SCRATCH Category on the mount request. Valid RMS SCRATCH Categories are SCRATCH0-SCRATCHF or your site defined 4-character hex values, or example 0001, 0002, or 008E. CA VM:Tape Scratch Pool names like DAILY, WEEKLY, or FINANCE are not valid RMS SCRATCH Category names.

   Therefore you would have to rename them to implement the support. If desired, a CA VM:Tape Command EXIT can be used to help minimize end user and application impact. For example, you can substitute POOL SCRATCH0 for POOL DAILY on the mount command.

2. Turn on the DEBUG command that permits the support:

   VMTAPE DEBUG SUPPORT RMSSCAT ON.
   

3. Turn AUTOPICK OFF for each CA VM:Tape Scratch Pool for which you want to implement the support. If AUTOPICK is not set OFF for a Scratch Pool, then that Scratch Pool will not run with the mount by RMS SCRATCH Category feature, regardless of the fact that DEBUG SUPPORT RMSSCAT is set to ON. By setting AUTOPICK OFF, it is possible to implement the feature selectively for some, but not all, CA VM:Tape Scratch Pools that may have tapes residing in an IBM 3494.