A step restart is initiated in the same way as it is during a normal execution. The devices allocated to the restart step can be different (but of the same device type) from the devices allocated originally. If the allocated devices differ, volumes must be moved from one device to another. If automatic volume recognition (AVR) is used and if the devices are available for allocation, devices containing the required volumes are allocated.

Unless the volumes are already mounted, normal mounting messages request the operator to mount the required volumes on the devices after devices are allocated to the restart step. The requested volumes resume processing.