Managing Data Sets

When a tape volume is used on the system, DFSMSrmm automatically records information, such as expiration dates, about each data set on the volume. DFSMSrmm uses these expiration dates along with the retention and movement policies you define to determine when to release the volume.

DFSMSrmm provides options that you can use to retain data sets and volumes:

By Cycles and By Days Cycle
By Elapsed Days
By Extra Days
By Day Last Referenced
While the data set is cataloged
Until the expiration date is reached
By Data Set Open or Abend Status
By Job Name and Data Set Name
By Generic Job Name Mask and Generic Data Set Name Mask
By Specific Volume Serial Number
By Generic Volume Serial Number
By Specific Date

DFSMSrmm prevents volumes that contain unexpired data from being used as scratch volumes. With DFSMSrmm, you can manage volumes and data sets under the following conditions:

Volumes that contain just one data set
Volumes that contain multiple data sets
Data sets that span more than one volume
Data set collections that span multiple volumes

DFSMSrmm supports generic data set names as filter criteria for searching the control data set, making it easier to create lists of resources.

DFSMSrmm provides the same support for dates as DFSMSdfp. DFSMSrmm records all dates using a 4-digit year and also allows you to specify dates using the 4-digit year.