Using the Basic Components › Automated Tape Data Set Stacking › Stacking Groups

Stacking Groups

The stacking groups are designed to provide a vehicle that allows data sets with similar characteristics and requirements to be stacked together. These groups are predefined with various attributes and are selected by Data Set Name Filters or DFSMS Data Class Filters. These filters are controlled by the CA Vtape administrator and require minimal ongoing management when using stable naming conventions.

Each group is broken down automatically by expiration date into three subgroups to minimize fragmentation and the need to consolidate fragmented tapes. The expiration date breakdown is controlled by customizable attributes in the Group Definitions.

You can use the stacking groups to organize data by different categories. For example,:

• Copy requirements:
  • A primary copy for local use.
  • A duplex copy for Disaster Recovery.
  • A triplex tapeless copy for either local or Disaster Recovery use.
  • An export copy for shipment to a business partner.
• A separation requirement:
  • Ensure compliance with a shop standard that production and test data are not written to the same Backstore Tape.
  • Ensure that duplicate copies of a database log file are not written to the same Backstore Tape.
• Data type, so temporary volumes and sort work files remain in cache and can be deleted when they expire without being Externalized.

Note: Each group and subgroup combination uses separate Backstore Tapes during the Externalization process.

Thirty-two customizable groups are available. You can modify and refresh the group settings dynamically so that any combination of primary, duplex, triplex, and export copies can be written or not written by any group.