Set-up for DISKMUF within a multi time zone sysplex.

Products

• Disk Backup and Restore - MVS

Issue/Introduction

Configuration of the system:

6 LPAR sysplex running 3 JES2 MAS's each with a different time zone

What is the best way to deploy DISKMUF STC and the IXMAINT, ARCHIVE/BACKUP and MERGE utilities ?

 

Resolution

A unique FDB database is defined for each time zone, but each FDB is connected to a common MUF.  In this case, the DSNINDEX and ARCHVOLS records will be created on the local time and date for each system.  IXMAINT will compare the expiration date to the local time and date for the system where IXMAINT is running.  As long as the IXMAINT or MERGE runs in the same time zone as the ARCHIVE/BACKUP, there would not be a problem. 

 Each time zone will have its own FDB and will run IXMAINT on their local systems.  That way, IXMAINT and Merge will make decisions to expire DSNINDEX and UNXINDEX records based on the same time zone that was used for Archive and Backup.

Using a common FDB for all three time zones could allow IXMAINT and Merge running to expire the records from the North America Central time zones earlier than intended.