The FREEVOL command allows you to empty a migration or backup DASD
volume in preparation for new equipment or to replace old or partially
damaged volumes. If the intended use is to make more space available
on an ML1 volume, use the MIGRATE ML1 command instead. In addition,
FREEVOL removes selected data sets from a volume based on management
class attributes or age. FREEVOL moves valid backup versions and
migration copies from DFSMShsm-owned DASD volumes to either tape or
DASD.
The FREEVOL command moves migration copies of SMS-managed data
sets from:
- A migration level 1 volume based on each data set’s management
class attribute values
- A migration level 2 volume based on the age specified on the AGE
parameter of the FREEVOL command.
The FREEVOL command moves all migration copies of non-SMS-managed
data sets meeting a specified age criterion from DFSMShsm migration
volumes. Migration copies meeting the specified age criterion are:
- Moved from a specified migration level 1 volume to other migration
level 1 or level 2 volumes
- Moved from a specified migration level 2 DASD volume to other
migration level 2 volumes.
The FREEVOL command moves all backup versions of SMS-managed and
non-SMS-managed data sets meeting a specified age criterion from DFSMShsm
daily backup volumes. Backup versions are moved from a specified
backup volume to spill DASD or tape volumes. A parameter can be specified
to prevent the movement of the most recent backup version for each
data set.
Note: - FREEVOL can be used to move migration copies from one unit type
to another unit type.
- Each time automatic backup processing runs, backup copies are
moved off migration level 1 volumes. FREEVOL ML1BACKUPVERSIONS provides
this same function. However, FREEVOL of a single migration volume
does not move backup versions.
- FREEVOL does not move user data sets, SYS1.VVDS, or the
VTOC index data set or user catalogs.
- FREEVOL moves catalog information data sets to another ML1 volume,
regardless of the target level of the FREEVOL command.
- FREEVOL of a migration level 1 volume moves VTOC copy data sets
on the freed volume to other migration level 1 volumes, regardless
of the target level of the FREEVOL command.
- Unless you want DFSMShsm to continue to use the freed migration volume as a target for migration, you
should either delete the volume or add it again with the DRAIN attribute.
- Unless you want DFSMShsm to continue to use the freed backup volume as a target for backup, you should
delete the volume.
- For migrated SMS data sets, the values specified for the management
class attribute of COMMAND-OR-AUTO-MIGRATE are
ignored.
- FREEVOL does not move any SDSP data sets, although it can move
or delete any data sets that are in an SDSP data set. Small data
sets that move to another ML1 volume may go into an SDSP data set.
Refer to Managing SDSP data sets for removing an SDSP.
- When FREEVOL AGE(0) is specified, BACKDS backup versions and data
sets that have migrated but are awaiting automatic backup are not
moved off the volume. Running automatic backup on the DFSMShsm primary
host performs this function. When you are planning to remove an ML1
volume, run autobackup on the primary host shortly before running
the FREEVOL function with the AGE(0) parameter.