Why was my ACF2 backup logonid file corrupted when using FTP?

Products

• ACF2
• ACF2 - DB2 Option
• ACF2 for zVM
• ACF2 - z/OS
• ACF2 - MISC
• PanApt
• PanAudit

Issue/Introduction

I FTP'd a logonid backup database file to my PC, and then to another mainframe.  But the file was corrupted on the new LPAR and users could not logon to the mainframe.

Why was my ACF2 backup logonid file corrupted when using FTP?

Environment

Release:
Component: ACF2MS

Resolution

The ACF2 backup database files are VB or variable blocked.  FTP loses the control characters during the FTP process.  FTP transfer with mainframe files must be done with FB or fixed block.  To maintain the correct formatting, we recommend that you use IBM's TERSE facility.  Terse the file on the one mainframe, and transfer the files in BINARY, and then unterse them on the other mainframe.  Use the same procedure as when sending files to CA to review.