The DFSMSrmm running modes are set with the parmlib OPTION command OPMODE operand. Each DFSMSrmm running mode provides different levels of information recording and volume validation. If you want to record information about volumes, set the running mode to record-only by setting the OPMODE in the parmlib member EDGRMMxx to R and starting or restarting DFSMSrmm.

Set the running mode to warning mode if you want DFSMSrmm to validate tape volumes. DFSMSrmm issues error messages but does not reject tape usage. If you want to ensure that DFSMSrmm provides full validation and recording functions, set the running mode to protect mode.

After you have verified that DFSMSrmm is providing the required functions, change the DFSMSrmm running mode to protect mode. Protect mode is the only mode that provides full verification and validation of volumes.

If you are converting to DFSMSrmm from another media management system, this step would be part of the final conversion phase. In the final phase, you might be reconverting some data set and volume information. Changing to protect mode ensures that DFSMSrmm controls the management of the volumes defined to it, and controls the use of scratch tapes. When changing to protect mode, either stop running the current media management system or ensure that the two products do not overlap in their function.