You can use the access method services EXPORT command, the DFSMSdss logical DUMP command, or the DFSMShsm BACKDS command to back up a BCS. You can later recover the backup copies using the same utility used to create the backup: the access method services IMPORT command for exported copies; the DFSMSdss RESTORE command for logical dump copies; and the DFSMShsm RECOVER command for DFSMShsm backups.

The copy created by these utilities is a "portable" sequential data set that can be stored on a tape or direct access device, which can be of a different device type than the one containing the source catalog.

When these commands are used to back up a BCS, the aliases of the catalog are saved in the backup copy. The source catalog is not deleted, and remains as a fully functional catalog. The relationships between the BCS and VVDSs are unchanged.

You cannot permanently export a catalog by using the PERMANENT parameter of EXPORT. The TEMPORARY option is used even if you specify PERMANENT or allow it to default.

To ensure the integrity of the copy, access to the BCS is serialized by these commands. This serialization prevents update access but allows read access from the system performing the command. For a catalog in non-RLS mode, if you are using multi-system global resource serialization (GRS) or equivalent product to convert the catalog RESERVE to GLOBAL ENQUEUE, other sharing systems can also have read access to the catalog. Otherwise, the RESERVE (with SYSIGGV2) makes the catalog inaccessible from other systems for the duration of the command. For a catalog in RLS mode, a different serialization technique is used since neither RESERVE nor GLOBAL ENQUEUE with SYSIGGV2 is raised for both read and update accesses. The access method services EXPORT command, the DFSMSdss logical DUMP command, and the DFSMShsm BACKDS command all adapt this serialization technique to perform a backup. See ‘Advanced Customization Guide’ for more information.

These commands do not back up corresponding entries in any related VVDS except those describing the BCS itself.

For more information on using DFSMSdss, see z/OS DFSMSdfp Storage Administration. For more information on using DFSMShsm, see z/OS DFSMShsm Storage Administration.