Delete a few Generations in a GDG that exists in tapes

RanjitRaveendran · New User Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Bangalore

I need to delete a few generations of a GDG that is written in a Tape (type 3480). I know the tape volser nos. What is the best method to do this.

martin9 · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:06 pm

Hy Ranjit,

just to make clear...

what kind of tape?

do you mean the GDG is already migrated on a tape or
the GDG is a tape GDG, means each of the generations is
a tape?

if point 1 is true, then use the HDEL, which will delete a migrated
entry from a tape...

if point 2 is true, then just uncatalogue that specific generation tape

regards,
martin9

RanjitRaveendran · New User Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Bangalore

point 2 is my case. each generation is a tape volume. Uncatalog through TSO? or IDCAMS / IEFBR14 can be used to uncatalog.

I have a sub question in this, does RETPD take precedence in this case. I have the GDG generations with RETPD of 365 days. I need to delete these or if possible to change RETPD to 0 or the least possible so that the data is lost.

Bill Dennis · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:56 pm

There may be tape management software considerations for updating EXPDTs on tape. Check at your site.

Try not to use IEFBR14 to UNCATLG as the system will attempt to mount the tape. If you say UNIT=(,,DEFER) it will still allocate a tape unit. IDCAMS is best.

himanshu7 · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:32 am

Do you want to delete the older generations or some specific generation from between?

If you want to delete the older generations then use alter GDG.Name limit(X) to your specific requirement, this will uncatalog all the older generations and will keep the latest on tape as per your limit.Use IDCAMS.

RanjitRaveendran · New User Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Bangalore

Thank you all for reply. I did speak to my Tape Management guys and they confirmed they can change the EXPDT.