Rewrite a RETPD protected tape file

haimzeevi · New User Joined: 01 Mar 2010 Posts: 27 Location: Israel

I have to read a backup tape, RETPD protected, manipulate the data, then rewrite the whole file back, using the save volume. I tried already :
1. Read by means of IEBGENER the dataset to a DASD
2. Manipulate the DASD file
3.Write back to tape, using VOL=REF=*.stepname.ddname of original dataset.
The system refused to overwrite the catalogged dataset, or used a scractch tape for output, in case of omitting REF= parm.
Thanks in advance for useful hints...
Haim Zeevi[/u]

expat · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 6:17 pm

Why do you need to reuse the exact same tape ?

Robert Sample · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 6:39 pm

You're most likely going to find it pretty much impossible to reuse the same tape if it is protected. You either can write a new tape, or go back to whoever gave you the project and tell them it cannot be done.

Bypassing security by doing things like this tends to be considered quite poorly by management and can lead to negative consequences for you.

Robert Sample · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 5:16 am

There isn't really a technique to allow you to do what you're asking. Tapes are usually protected by the security package (RACF, ACF/2, TOP SECRET) as well as the tape management system in use (which works with the security package). You are not allowed to overwrite a tape which has not expired, or tape data validation would become a real issue.

Depending upon the site software, the only way I can think of doing this would be to use a nonlabelled external tape (i.e., one not managed by your tape management system) and even then there would be console operator replies required to allow the data to be overwritten.

Furthermore, this is not a technique that should be even considered for use in a production environment. The input data is destroyed by such a process and that eliminates the possibility of a rerun should it be needed, and the auditors would be issuing audit findings for sure.