VM:Archiver Non-expiring tapes

Products

• VM:Archiver for z/VM

Issue/Introduction

VM:Archiver tapes have expdt 9999/999 in VM:Tape TMC.   Is it OK to scratch them?

 

Cause

The expiration date for some VM:Archiver tapes is set to 9999/999. 

Resolution

These tapes are owned by VM:Archiver (VMARCH), but are likely old tapes with expired files and no longer being used. 
Here is how to determine if there are any unexpired archived files on those tapes: 
VMARCH QUERY TAPES displays information about tapes that store the archived data.  
VMARCH QUERY TAPESET displays information about tape sets. 

Both queries should list the same volsers, just in different format displays. 

If a tape is not shown in either query, that confirms VM:Archiver is no longer using it, though the tape still belongs to VMARCH in VM:Tape.  
Issue the command VMARCH SUBMIT REINIT to remove the tape(s) from the VM:Archiver database. 

Additional Information

Then remove the tape from the TMC if you are retiring it.