Does an EXTRACT scratch the input SMF tape?

Products

• JARS SMF Director

Issue/Introduction

Would a failed EXTRACT job cause the SMF input tape to be released so it can be scratched?

 

Environment

Release : 12.7

Resolution

No, SMF Director EXTRACT is read-only with regards to the tape.  The tape is opened for input, read, and then closed.  The tape volume and dataset are not modified in any way,

A tape needed for an extract may not be available for any number of reasons.  The tape may be in use by another EXTRACT job or DUMP job, there may not be a drive to mount the tape (this can happen even with a VTS based on the definitions in the VTS when it's started).