Using FTP to transfer DBUTLTY backup files between LPARs

Products

• Datacom
• Datacom/AD
• Datacom/DB

Issue/Introduction

DBUTLTY database backup files are typically created in Variable-Blocked (VB) format, and require special FTP commands to ensure the target file is the same as the source file when transferring the Backup file from one mainframe LPAR to another.

Environment

z/OS

Resolution

The key to a successful mainframe-to-mainframe FTP transfer is found in two mainframe FTP subcommands: MODE B (or BLock) and TYPE E (or EBcdic).

These subcommands will allow you to transfer files quickly and in the proper format between mainframe LPARs.

BLOCK and MODE B subcommands

• BLock subcommand—Set the block data transfer mode

Use the BLock subcommand to set the data transfer mode to block mode. This is equivalent to specifying the MOde B subcommand. 

• MOde subcommand—Set the data transfer mode

Use the MOde subcommand to define how bits of data are to be transmitted.

Parameter: B sets the block mode. In block mode, data is transmitted as a series of data blocks, preceded by one or more header bytes. Block mode preserves the logical record boundaries of the data set or file. When MOde is set to B, the data transfer type must be EBCDIC. Specifying MOde B is equivalent to specifying the BLock subcommand.

EBCDIC and TYPE E subcommands

• EBcdic subcommand—Change the data transfer type to EBCDIC

The EBcdic subcommand enables you to change the data transfer type to EBCDIC. Use the EBcdic subcommand to direct FTP to transfer data with no translation.

• TYpe subcommand—Set the data transfer type

Use the TYpe subcommand to set the data transfer type for the client and server simultaneously with one command.

Parameter: E sets the transfer type as EBCDIC. Specifying the EBCDIC transfer type has the same effect as using the EBcdic subcommand. The EBCDIC transfer type is intended for efficient transfer between hosts that use EBCDIC for their internal character representation.

Using these commands, your SYSIN on the source mainframe LPAR might look something like this:

//SYSIN     DD * 
target.mainframe.lpar         name/IP address of target LPAR 
userid                        your username/login (if not using NETRC file)
password                      your password       (if not using NETRC file)
ebcdic                        EBCDIC Subcommand for mainframe transfer 
block                         BLOCK Subcommand for blocked transfer mode 
site storclass=tso            Other FTP remote site commands 
site cy pri=50 sec=10         Other FTP remote site commands 
put //DD:INFILE1 +            Put the file from DD INFILE1 
      'TARGETLPAR.FILE.NAME'               to this remote file name 
quit                          End the FTP program
/*

Additional Information

For more information about the FTP process, please refer to the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) documentation in the z/OS Communications Server: IP User's Guide and Commands for V3R1, V2R5, V2R4, or your current version.

As always, please contact Broadcom support for Datacom if you have further questions.

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