2 issues on Retention Period of a Tape that already created

alluri12 · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:18 pm

I have two issues.

1.
I need to know if how to find a Retention Period of a tape dataset that already created. And is there command or jcl to update the retention period of the tape dataset that already created.

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2.
I tried to create a tape dataset with RETPD=9999 and i am getting information error
IGD17364I
:NOT AUTHORIZED TO EXPIRATION DATE SPECIFIED
EXPIRATION DATE RESET TO MAXIMUM ALLOWED 0.0"

Basically i want to create tape dataset with retention period permanent.
I tried EXPDT=99365 and still get same above information error.
I even tried RETPD=10 and still get same above information error.

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Could anybody please help me on resolving these issues..

dick scherrer · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:38 pm

Hello,

Your best bet is to talk with your storage administration people. They can tell you the alternatives available in yor environment.

wanderer · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:16 pm

1. You can use the LISTCAT command on that existing tape dataset to find what its expiration date is. Sometimes if there is somekind of media manager software is installed, then LISTCAT doesn't show it and you have to use that software to check it.

2. This one you have talk to storage people as Dick has said.

alluri12 · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:38 pm

I have two issues.

1.
I need to know if how to find a Retention Period of a tape dataset that already created. And is there command or jcl to update the retention period of the tape dataset that already created.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.
I tried to create a tape dataset with RETPD=9999 and i am getting information error
IGD17364I
:NOT AUTHORIZED TO EXPIRATION DATE SPECIFIED
EXPIRATION DATE RESET TO MAXIMUM ALLOWED 0.0"

Basically i want to create tape dataset with retention period permanent.
I tried EXPDT=99365 and still get same above information error.
I even tried RETPD=10 and still get same above information error.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Could anybody please help me on resolving these issues..

dick scherrer · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 11:41 pm

Hello,

I believe we understand your "issues".

For 1. - you need to talk with your storage admin people - they can tell you if this is possible in your environment (for some management systems there are ways for the admin people to "maintain" the library). I know of no jcl that will let you simply change the retention. One way to "change" the retention is to create a new tape with the retention you want.

For 2 - you again need to talk with your storage admin people - some sites do not permit "permanant" retention. There are different reasons permanent is not allowed - they can tell you why is this is the case at your location.

If you have data that is to be retained for long periods of time on removable media (cart/tape), you need to include a process to copy the data from the "old" cart/tape, to a new one periodically. Hopefully, there is already a backup copy of that data. There is little worse than having a several year old file file with critical data on it and not being able to read the file. When the "new" data file is created, a backup should also be created. The data should be copied at least once a year to ensure that it is readable. Copying the file(s) regularly also assures that the data is on media that your center can still read (i.e. "round" tapes, 7-track tapes, etc).

expat · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:51 pm

As Dick has said, you need to talk with your storage guys. You may be able to change the retention period in the catalog but not in the tape management software being used at your site. Usually the tape management software will win - so you may change the retention but it gets deleted anyway.

Your tape admin people will be able to update the TMS to reflect the new requirement, and this will be a much better solution.

Your second problem - sounds to me like your storage guys have got it sewn up. They have set the retention period rules and have enforced them. If you need something outside of the rules, you need to explain it to them, and get the rules changed.

alluri12 · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:22 pm

I talked to storage management guys and they have to change their routines to create permanent tape datasets for the dataset high level qualifiers which i am creating..... I tested and it is working now. Thanks Dick, Expat and Wanderer

dick scherrer · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:33 am

You're welcome and we're happy for your success