IC83932: WHEN TAPE DRIVES ALTERNATE PATHING IS ENABLED, SETBS IS ENABLE TO CHANGE THE BLOCK SIZE BACK TO 0 AFTER A SYSTEM BACKUP.

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• With alternate pathing enabled for a Tape Drive on AIX,
  setbs command is not able to change back the block size to 0.
  During the
  sysback backup sysback will change the block size to 512 to
  write the
  bootimage after that it tried to change it back to 0, command
  returns 0
  
  + setbs -f /dev/rmt9.1 -b 0
  cfgAtape: rmt9 defined as alternate path for device rmt6
  + retcd=0
  
  but the tape is left at block size 512.
  .
  The same command setbs is able to change the block size to 0
  with
  alternate pathing disabled.
  

Local fix

• after the backup completes, use chdev to change block size
  back to 0:
  
  chdev  -l 'rmt#' -a block_size='0'
  

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED: Users performing a full system backup        *
  *                 to a tape drive which is alternate path      *
  *                 enable.                                      *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: See APAR description                    *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION: Apply fixing level when available.           *
  *                 This problem is currently projected to       *
  *                 be fixed in level 6.1.3.1.                   *
  *                 Note that this is subject to change at       *
  *                 the discretion of IBM.                       *
  ****************************************************************
  *
  

Problem conclusion

• This problem is fixed.
  Effected platforms AIX
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  TSM SYS BU & RE

• Fixed component ID

  5698SYS00

Applicable component levels

• R610 PSY

     UP